"Why are they doing this?...the birds...Why are they trying to kill people?"

Rating: Null/10 (26 April 2002)

Opinions vary somewhat on the virtues of this late-career Hitchcock suspense film. Some find it to be a symbol-laden masterpiece, others a dull drama with occasional flashes of shock and still others a mixed bag of thrills, lessened by a stiff leading lady. This is a mesmerizing, layered gem of a film with all sorts of great dialogue, set pieces and special effects. Though Hedren was not a seasoned actress in this, her debut, she is a sleek, chic, attractive performer. Her voice is a sophisticated purr, her posture and grace are magnificent and her hair is a testament to the wonders of Aqua Net. Despite her inexperience as an actress, she is a compelling and witty personality. She is not Grace Kelly, but who she is is fine as well. Taylor is a charming, delightful counterpoint to her cool beauty. There is so much going on in this film it can be watched over and over and OVER again. Watch as Tippi (in a theme Hitchcock used throughout his career, but which was fully realized here more than ever) begins with all the accoutrements of a glamorous lady and is gradually stripped of all her trappings and accessories until finally she is nearly unrecognizable. Notice how Taylor is "hen-pecked" by the women around him. He is fighting off real birds as well grappling with the "birds" (British for girl) in his life and in his home. Hedren starts off in a pet store surrounded by birds in cages, but before the film is over, she has been caged more than once herself (complete with the torturesome pecking--a reversal of humans sticking their fingers and other objects into birdcages all the time.) The only birds that don't rebel are the lovebirds...an unabashedly romantic touch. There are some odd bits of dialogue between several of the characters that aren't easily understood (i.e.--Pleshette and Hedren's discussion of Tandy, Tandy's bedridden chat with Hedren), but most of the film has fascinating exchanges, never more so than in the extended diner sequence. As patrons wait for their fried chicken, an array of people (including the terrific Griffies) debate the possibility of a bird assault, only to see firsthand how powerless humans can be when confronted by nature at full force. Some of the imagery is unforgettable, such as Tandy's exit from Dan Faucett's farm, the jungle gym at the school, Lang's confrontation with Hedren and the fireplace invasion to name a few... There is a deliberate quality to the pacing and story which puts some people off. Indeed in this channel-surfing era, it is sometimes hard for some to wait for things or to let a film's mood sweep over them. When things start to break loose, it is well worth the wait. Occasionally, some of the effects shots look dated, but in many cases it is still unsettling. One might never glance at a flock of crows quite the same way after seeing this movie!