The Birds

Rating: 10/10 (25 February 2005)

This is one of the most terrifying films I have seen in years, and what's great about it is that it's a work by one of the greatest cinema directors, Sir Alfred Hitchcock. The story is that Melanie Daniels (introducing Golden Globe nominated Tippi Hedren) meets Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) in a bird shop where is trying to buy love birds for his little sister's birthday. So Melanie decides to take some to him herself. Suddenly before returning to shore after delivering the birds she is attacked. Not long after birds start to attack many other innocent people, until finally the entire town of Bodega Bay is overrun by these horrifying birds. A gripping story with some blood involved and some very good effects. Hitchcock himself said that this is probably his most terrifying film ever! Also starring Driving Miss Daisy's Jessica Tandy as Lydia Brenner, Suzanne Pleshette as Annie Hayworth, Alien's Veronica Cartwright as Cathy Brenner, and Hitchcock's cameo is the man leaving the pet shop with two white Sealyham terriers past Hedren. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Special Visual Effects. Sir Alfred Hitchcock was number 75 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons, the film was number 43 on The 100 Greatest Scary Moments, and it was number 7 on 100 Years, 100 Thrills. Outstanding!