Master Hitchcock Very Much On target

Rating: 8/10 (6 March 2007)

Sir Alfred did a great job on this film. Tippi Hedren only did one other film with him (Marne) but this one is more effective because its makes you uncomfortable with seemingly normal circumstances. Hedren's best work in any film that I have seen is here. Grace Kelly is reported to have turned down this role as being not right for a Princess.
The film kind of leaves the viewer open to interpretation as to why the birds behave as they do. Is it related to the way the love birds are treated by Hedren? Is it something else? Is it nature suddenly rebelling against humans? The special effects scenes are so realistic as to UN-nerve someone viewing the film for the first time. The amount of work going into this film by the film makers really shows on the screen. Hitch wanted to end this movie with the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge loaded with birds. The studio said no, too expensive & difficult to do.
It is a bit longer than some Hitchcock films, but worth the extra length. The sequences quietly building suspense to the next birds attack are masterfully done. The acting gives the viewer some interest as a lot of the actors became known later for television series appear in this. This film is scary viewing.
Hitchcock wanted to top Pscyho and in terms of special effects, he comes close to that. The story line is not quite as powerful.