“Rear Window” Analysis
Name: ____________________________________
Introductory Discussion:
Scenario: You suspect that your neighbor may be doing something illegal, even possibly has murdered someone in
his/her house. Do you report your suspicions to the law enforcement or do you think that what happens at your
neighbor’s house is none of your business. What would you do? Why?
Complete on a separate sheet of paper.
1. When prompted, describe in detail the Production Design of the set. Look for sets, props,
costumes, make up and anything else to do with the “Mise en Scene.”
2. When prompted, explain the use of camera angles, camera shots, camera movement, lighting and
lens usage or anything else to do with cinematography.
3. When prompted, discuss the editing of the film. What editing techniques are employed in this
scene and what effect does the editing have on you, the viewer.
You may answer the following questions on this sheet.
Rear Window Viewer’s Questions
1. What is L.B. Jeffries?
a. a news reporter
b. a photojournalist
c. a lawyer
2. List at least 3 neighbors Jeffries spies on through his rear window.
a.
b.
c.
3. In a couple of complete sentences, describe Lisa Freemont.
4. What does Jeffries suspect of his neighbor, Thornwald?
5. How would you describe the overall lighting design of this film? (Explain in complete sentences.)
6. How would you describe the editing in this film?
a. fast editing
b. slow editing
c. point of view editing
7. Describe the use of the camera lens in this film.
8. Do you think that Jeff’s watching his neighbors is a healthy “looking” or an invasion of people’s
privacy? Why?
9. It seems that the other neighbors (characters) are so caught up in their world that they seem to care
very little about their own privacy. Pick one character that we get to “see” in the film and describe
their behavior that would reveal that they don’t seem to care about their own privacy.
10. “Neighbors must maintain enough distance to allow privacy and enough closeness to develop
respect for each other as unique individuals.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?