Lightyears ahead

Rating: 10/10 (2 January 2011)

Alfred Hitchcock was simply a master, and arguments can be had until Kingdom come as to which of his classics was the best, but at the end of the day it can only ever be subjective. I am aware that there is an argument for both "Strangers On A Train" and "Vertigo" as his best, but as much as I love theme, "The Birds" is my favourite.
I actually think the film itself sags a little in the front half, and I'm not a huge fan of Tippi Hedren, but that all falls away when you look at how brilliantly executed this film is. Technically, Hitchcock was light years ahead of his time, using a record number of trick-shots, and for such a dated film, the effects still look amazing, to the point where I wonder, "How did he manage that?" Exciting filmmaking from a man who, if alive today, would still be showing the rest of them how it is done.