Doesn't work anymore

Rating: Null/10 (21 October 2004)

I saw this movie last night during a midnight screening at the student theater. After all the wonderful things I had heard about it (Hitchcock's best!), I was extremely disappointed. This movie did not age well at all.
The story involves a capricious woman who apparently has played practical jokes following a man to Bodega Bay to deliver some lovebirds. We are not completely sure as to how or why they know each other, but we do know that there is a mutual attraction. Due to some strange attacks by birds, she stays with the man, the young sister, and the elderly, bizarre mother. The attacks become progressively worse, and we watch how they cope with it.
Not only are the special effects horrible, the acting was a completely different style as well. Many times the camera would focus on a character doing their best to put on an "intense" face. Throughout the movie, the whole audience was laughing almost hysterically. I can't recall a time when I laughed more in a movie theater. Not to mention the awkward laughter that came after the movie ended when people thought the reel had broken, or something along that line to explain the odd ending.
Obviously there were some elements that illustrate why some regard it as excellent. The fact that Hitchcock could create suspense with no score is mind-blowing. I am a huge Hitchcock fan, but I don't know if I would ever recommend this.
Bottom line - this movie does not translate well.