Like all the regular 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' directors, Arthur Hiller's episodes were inconsistent. Neither of his previous three episodes wowed me, though all three were watchable enough ("Disappearing Trick" faring best and "Flight to the East" being the weakest). It is difficult to resist such a foreboding title, the subject did sound interesting and Steve Forrest (here in one of his darkest roles) was always worth watching. Season 3 did contain some great episodes, a favourite being "Lamb to the Slaughter".
"Post Mortem" is one of the great episodes, with pretty much everything working brilliantly. It's also Hiller's first great 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes and one of his best overall. It's not quite "Lamb to the Slaughter", but it is for me the best episode since that and much needed after a brief up and down period with the episodes in between the two. "Post Mortem" may not be one of my favourites of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but it is an excellent representation of how the series was when on form.
Didn't quite buy how too trusting Judy was, but that is being nit-picky.
Forrest is excellent in his role, have seldom seen him this sinister while not doing it in an overt way. Joanna Moore is alluring and the two have strong chemistry together that has tension and quirkiness. Hitchcock's bookending is amusing, fitting with the story's tone more than ideally, while Hiller's direction is some of his most accomplished.
Moreover, the production values are slick and atmospheric, neither overblown or cheap. Did like that the music was quirkier than what is usually heard with 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but it fitted very well as the way the story is adapted is also quirky. The dialogue is entertaining and thought provoking, while not being too reliant on too much talk.
Had no issues really with the story. It was always compelling and never felt too predictable, loved too its tautness and quirkiness while not forgetting the suspense too. The original short story is more suspenseful but the episode, while having more of the quirkier, offbeat feel, is not devoid of that. The ending is clever and didn't feel obvious, anti-climactic or far fetched, while too many episodes have been up to this point.
In conclusion, excellent. If anybody was wondering as to whether Hiller had a good 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episode in him, this will get rid of any doubts. 9/10.
"Post Mortem" is one of the great episodes, with pretty much everything working brilliantly. It's also Hiller's first great 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes and one of his best overall. It's not quite "Lamb to the Slaughter", but it is for me the best episode since that and much needed after a brief up and down period with the episodes in between the two. "Post Mortem" may not be one of my favourites of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but it is an excellent representation of how the series was when on form.
Didn't quite buy how too trusting Judy was, but that is being nit-picky.
Forrest is excellent in his role, have seldom seen him this sinister while not doing it in an overt way. Joanna Moore is alluring and the two have strong chemistry together that has tension and quirkiness. Hitchcock's bookending is amusing, fitting with the story's tone more than ideally, while Hiller's direction is some of his most accomplished.
Moreover, the production values are slick and atmospheric, neither overblown or cheap. Did like that the music was quirkier than what is usually heard with 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but it fitted very well as the way the story is adapted is also quirky. The dialogue is entertaining and thought provoking, while not being too reliant on too much talk.
Had no issues really with the story. It was always compelling and never felt too predictable, loved too its tautness and quirkiness while not forgetting the suspense too. The original short story is more suspenseful but the episode, while having more of the quirkier, offbeat feel, is not devoid of that. The ending is clever and didn't feel obvious, anti-climactic or far fetched, while too many episodes have been up to this point.
In conclusion, excellent. If anybody was wondering as to whether Hiller had a good 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episode in him, this will get rid of any doubts. 9/10.