A must see - shocking and scary

Rating: 10/10 (30 December 2005)

I read the book several years a go, and I saw a clip of this on Jonathan Ross film show, it look interesting, but I didn't know how they could bring it to the screen and make it as harrowing and scary as the book. I got the DVD for Xmas, so I've finally watched it. Hitchcock did it with aplomb in what is a hauntingly scary film that surpasses the book.
It is also surprisingly fast paced for a Hitchcock film.
What starts with a seagull attack on the leading lady builds into a crescendo of bird attacks and then an extremely dramatic finale when your heart is in your mouth - will they get out alive, and that question is never answered as well as what on earth is making the birds behave the way they are.
There are so many scary and shocking set pieces to mention - watch the film, you won't be dissatisfied.
The stand out moment I will mention is at the school, there are 2 crows on the climbing frame, and it cuts to the leading lady having a cigarette. As she finishes it cuts back to the climbing frame showing one of the most shocking images of the film - brilliant.
I loved this film; fast paced, with some extremely shocking and scary moments, and a hanging sense of dread all the way to the end. I plead that no one remakes this - the special effects are fantastic and the look of the film adds so much to it - this could not be achieved with modern film and computer trickery.
Overall a must see for any Hitchcock fan, and any horror fan for that matter.