Engrossing Hitchcock thriller

Rating: 9/10 (15 June 2014)

An incredibly engrossing Alfred Hitchcock thriller.
Very original plot. Hitchcock probably created the creature-horror movie with this film, yet it is so much more than that. It has romance, human drama and survival.
In typical Hitchcock fashion, the tension builds slowly. The background story is interesting in itself. Without the birds, the movie could easily have been turned into a romantic-drama (it probably would have needed a different name though...). Little by little, Hitchcock introduces the protagonists.
Also typically Hitchcockian, there is no sound effects to artificially dial up the tension. It is all visual. Some scenes are particularly chilling. The birds behind Tippi Hendren at the school is a good example.
Good performances by Rod Taylor and Tippi Hendren in the lead roles. Good support from Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette and Veronica Cartwright.
A classic.