MovieManChuck
3/4The Birds is the subject of an age-old debate that cinephiles often engage in: is The Birds a good or an overrated film? I am one of a neutral party that agrees with both. To me, The Birds is everything that it promised to be, nothing more.There is no debating this: it's not Hitchcock's masterpiece. The plot is this: A woman works a pet shop, she gets an order for love birds, she travels to a coastal town to get the love birds...Birds go wild and ravage the place while she falls in love with the town hunk. Why do these birds go mad? This is one of the many questions the movie will not answer. If you care enough to analyze it, be my guest. This movie does not challenge you to find answers, as it works perfectly fine if you suspend your disbelief.However, the plot is not where the movie earns its merits at all. The film is very surreal, intense, and mildly frightening as Hitch's signature spice. If anything is to be said about this movie at all, the way Hitch shot the Birds was flawless as far as camera work. The way he captured their spirit of destruction through the rule of thirds is truly cinematography in Hitchcock tradition. To me, his portrayal and control of the Birds is what makes the film. The cast (especially Tippi Hedren) are very vibrant characters full of life and genuine emotion. He was able to convey these characters without the use of a musical score was very adept, although it should not go unnoticed that in the school scene the children sing a rhyme to build up suspense. Every component compliments one another in The Birds. There is truly no wasted talent.In conclusion, I find The Birds to be a good movie. Most of all, I find it to be an important milestone in cinematic history simply for the way the birds were captured on-screen. This does not have my vote for Hitchcock's best, or even his second or third best, but it's great for what it is: a landmark movie and a fun thriller.
rebeccalucy
Very atmospheric and unique, and actually manages to make birds frightening! It really represents the 1960s style, with the fashion and acting. The acting is quite good, Tippi Hedren being the best of all. She had a fun chemistry with Rod Taylor despite them not being shown together a lot. Some of the effects are dated but others are fantastic, such as the man with his eyes covered in blood. Hitchcock's directing is of course amazing.Definitely a good Hitchcock film to start with, and would really recommend for any film lover.
Fun90mighty90
I am a young man, in my 20's, and I have to say, "The Birds" is a brilliant film! I state my age because most of the people I know who are young like myself, think the old films are boring or slow, but I appreciate films for what they are and you have to take into consideration, that this film was released in 1963. They didn't have the special effects and the budgets that the films have today, so you can't compare them. "The Birds", in my opinion, is one of Alfred Hitchcock's best films! The film is typically 60's, which was an iconic decade. You have the pearl necklaces, the cigarette filters and people driving around in Cadillac's, however, the film also includes directing styles, that to me, are unusual and actually puts the film into a league of it's own and ahead of it's time.The film doesn't include a soundtrack at all, which most horror films now rely on to create an atmosphere, however, Alfred Hitchcock manages to create an eerie atmosphere without it. The wealthy upper class snobbery that is given off by the main characters in the film misleads you at first, giving the impression that the film is all talking and sniping, however, the film takes a very dark turn towards the end, changing the characters attitude and priorities when they are faced with a problem that none of them understand and you realize that taking money out of the picture, they are all just people. The special effects used in the film are dated, however, the special effects in this film is sometimes better that the special effects used in films now and "The Birds" is 54 years ago! Also, the film will be forever a mystery as the main cause of the bird problem, is never actually solved or explained, making the film a timeless classic. I would encourage people to watch this film and appreciate it for what it is. Don't watch it to just nit-pick and find fault in it. Watch it with an open mind and be fair to it when you judge it because like I said before, you can't compare it to the films of today. "The Birds" is unique and different and it will always be one of my favorite films.
zkonedog
Usually, master film director Alfred Hitchcock used the psychological approach to filmmaking, crafting thrillers that preyed on deep-seated fears or tension-filled situations. With "The Birds", however, Hitch actually delves into the paranormal a trifle in order to work his cinematic magic.For a basic plot summary, "The Birds" sees young socialite Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren), on a vacation in Bodega Bay, become suddenly smitten by local boy Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor). However, as the two begin to mingle, the small island town is suddenly beset by bird attacks both large and small, seemingly without reason.As usual, this film is such a classic because of Hitchcock's ability to create tension. By the title alone, the viewer knows that birds will play a large role in this film, so in the early-goings Hitch uses certain scenes/images to foreshadow what is to come. Basically, as a viewer, you know what is going to happen...you just don't know when or from where!The acting in this movie also really stands out. Hedren and Taylor are solid, while supporters such as Jessica Tandy and a young Veronica Cartwright turn in fine performances as well.About the only criticism I have (aka why I can't give it 5 stars) is of the ending, which many will find quite polarizing. Let's just say that, depending on your point of view, a lot of character development may have circled the drain upon the film's conclusion.Overall, though, this is a solid film that deserves a place among Hitchcock's best.
AD
