The Birds (1963) | Hitchcock Review #6

Hitchcock movie review #6. I think this one probably makes my imaginary Hitchcock top 10 list. I could have said more about it, but for the sake of time and anyone who hasn't seen it yet, I opted to keep my comments brief. By the way, to anyone who actually likes the "Risseldy, Rosseldy" song: Wow! You have more patience than I have.

[@PittOriole]

This film is really a romantic drama with a few grumpy birds thrown in.

[@datsun210]

The one thing about “The Birds” I always think about is the ending, that is, the way it SHOULD have ended! After they leave Bodega Bay in the little sports car, the final image is that of the Golden Gate Bridge covered with birds! I always image that ending and wish Hitchcock had not cut it out of the film. It was the perfect coupe de grace.

[@zedwpd]

The song is Risseldy Rosseldy and is an American version of the song Wee Cooper O’Fife’ that is first referred to in print in texts from the late 1880s. A version was recorded by Burl Ives for his 1941 debut album.

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

Good to know.

[@MegaJackpinesavage]

Hitchcock's sly "what if?" rejoinder to Rachel Carson's eco- disaster prophesy "Silent Spring", his birds to stage their pre-emptive strikes against a small Cal coastal town. Far ahead of its time we might still all think twice before presenting a sweetheart with the exotic pet of their dreams. 60 yrs later I'm still haunted by its schoolyard/ dead teacher sprawled on the staircase scene & yes, dear, the kids repeating the nursery song remains relentlessly unnerving --- nearly as much as revenge for unrequited love (see T. Hedren).

[@maxdewinter9472]

You are so funny! I laughed out loud at your encore. You are right that there isn't really a story here. But if there is a point, it's in regard to Tippi's character and the mom. There is a shot at the very end, when they are driving away, with the mother holding Tippi's head in her lap. They exchange a look and there's the hope that the mother is through treating Mitch's girlfriends so badly. 'She needs me', she seems to be thinking. And Tippi is thinking, 'These people care about me'. At least that's how I view it. I saw the 'Birds' once on TV, many years ago, when they still showed movies on local stations in the middle of the day, and they cut this shot out. Couldn't believe they would eliminate the one element of the film that gives it meaning.

[@Weiselberry]

What?! I can't believe they edited that out. I think that moment is absolutely crucial to the development of both characters and for giving at least some sense of resolution to the story. This makes me wonder if some of the people who criticize the film also saw a truncated version...

[@maxdewinter9472]

@@Weiselberry Well, it is such a brief moment in the film. It's easy to miss the significance of it. I don't think I got it until I saw this edited version and realized it was missing.

[@josephmayo3253]

Great review, and fun postscript. You're so adorable. I love this movie, and it just misses my top 10. About the song you're so enamored with, it was a kids song in the public domain, so he could use it for free. But because it didn't cover the time Hitch wanted for the scene, he asked Evan Hunter to write a few extra verses. As a result, Hunter had to join ASCAP, and received royalties on the movie for the rest of his life.

[@SurferJoe1]

Wow, great information!

[@writerspen010]

This is such an amazing movie. It's so unsettling, I love it! I think my favorite Hitchcock movie would have to be Rear Window though. Everything just fits so nicely in the mystery being solved, whereas here we get no answers like you said, which is more than fine, but it does always leave me suspicious of even the smallest of birds after every viewing... 0_o

[@michaeldebellis4202]

It’s hard to pick one favorite Hitchcock film but I think if I had to, I would go with Rear Window as well. I also really like North by Northwest but parts of that plot are really stretching credulity. Like when Grant decides after his faked death to go spy on the spies, something that in the real world would have gotten both him and his girlfriend killed. As you said everything in Rear Window just fits together so well. I especially love the way it builds from a photographer being kind of creepy spying on his neighbors to him getting convinced while his friends think he’s exaggerating but then as Grace Kelly and the housekeeper start seeing the evidence themselves they gradually become convinced as well. Have you seen Depalma’s Body Double? It’s an homage to both Rear Window and Vertigo. It gets weird but I really like it.

[@cessnaace]

The song you mentioned has at least 3 different titles, one of them being "Risseldy, Rosseldy." It's an old American 'nonsense' song. It drives me crazy too. LYRICS: I married my wife In the month of June, Risseldy, rosseldy, Mow, mow, mow, I carried her off In a silver spoon, Risseldy, Rosseldy, Hey bambassity, Nickety, nackety, Retrical quality, Willowby, wallowby, Mow, mow, mow. She combed her hair But once a year, Risseldy, rosseldy, Mow, mow, mow, With every rake She shed a tear, Risseldy, Rosseldy, Hey bambassity, Nickety, nackety, Retrical quality, Willowby, wallowby, Mow, mow, mow. She swept the floor But once a year, Risseldy, rosseldy, Mow, mow, mow, She swore her broom Was much to dear, Risseldy, Rosseldy, Hey bambassity, Nickety, nackety, Retrical quality, Willowby, wallowby, Mow, mow, mow. She churned her butter In Dad's old boot, Risseldy, rosseldy, Mow, mow, mow, And for a dasher Used her foot, Risseldy, Rosseldy, Hey bambassity, Nickety, nackety, Retrical quality, Willowby, wallowby, Mow, mow, mow. The butter came out A grizzly gray, Risseldy, rosseldy, Mow, mow, mow, The cheese took legs And ran away, Risseldy, Rosseldy, Hey bambassity, Nickety, nackety, Retrical quality, Willowby, wallowby, Mow, mow, mow.

[@kevint5451]

I can't watch this movie now without thinking of Mel Brooks and High Anxiety, in which he parodied The Birds, and other Hitchcock movies, just as he did with Young Frankenstein and the Frankenstein movies. However to this day if I see a lot of birds gathering on some man made structure I do find myself thinking of this movie, so I guess that is some testament to it's staying power.

[@jeffgreenberg5306]

love high anxiety, he spoofs so many hitchcock scenes!

[@joylederman4501]

Every evening in the summer, a huge flock of grackles or black birds roost in the trees surrounding my back yard. I inevitably wonder if they've taken a cue from Hitchcock's movie....

[@MySerpentine]

I like the song because it feels very desolate, and in many ways the movie is more about the desolation of the people than it is about the birds themselves.

[@swifty1969]

you remind me of Anne Hathaway from the movie "The Princess Diaries"

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

That’s so funny and true-now that l think of it,she does look a lot like Anne Hathaway.

[@Mr22thou]

If this happened to you, you'd have the all time most memorable first date story of them all.

[@NorseGuyAlf]

The thing about that song is not that it is annoying--though it most certainly is--it's that it builds. With each repetition, more words are added, similar to "there was an old woman who swallowed a fly..." As the song builds in this way, more and more birds land on the monkey bars behind Melanie. More verses, more birds. And there is the contrast between that childish song, sung by children and the mounting horror of the accumulating birds.

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

Excellent points.

[@skadinky]

Great review , me and my family often would go to Bodega Bay for vacation when I was young. Your video brought back a flood of delightful memories ,thank you so much.

[@PaulTesta]

great review. "The Birds" is not one of my favorite Hitchcock films; but I own a Blu-Ray in my personal collection, because it is still superbly directed by the master, plus it's such a unique premise for a movie. Not sure which is creepier - the ending of "The Birds" or the ending of your video... 😄 Razzle-dee Ruzzle-dee, NOW NOW NOW!

[@Weiselberry]

Nooooooo, don't do it! :D

[@BaldJean]

I think the school scene works especially well because of the children singing. What could be more innocent than a bunch of kids singing? But in the school yard danger is looming. This contrast adds a lot to the building up of tension. It is also a typical example of Hithcock's black humor.

[@Weiselberry]

That's an interesting thought--thanks for sharing it.

[@joylederman4501]

I've long thought that my lifelong squeamishness pertaining to any sort of "eyeball" stuff was because I must have had my eyes plucked out in a previous life. But in truth, it may be a result of that big scary eyeball in the Twilight Zone opening credits and this movie. "The film's first television broadcast ... U.S. appearance was on NBC television on January 6, 1968, and became the most watched film on television surpassing The Bridge on the River Kwai with a Nielsen rating of 38.9 and an audience share of 59%." This was no doubt when I first saw "The Birds", when I was ten years old. I also found the pecked-out-eyes to be the most traumatically nightmarish scene in this film and still look away from the screen whenever this scene arrives. And you're absolutely right about that horrible song! I'd totally forgotten it until watching your video last night. I don't think I was aware that the movie has no soundtrack, I'll have to watch it again!

[@Weiselberry]

Ew, yes, that scene is just... Traumatizing is a good word for it. I may have seen the movie over a dozen times at least, but I still always try to look away at that moment. I was similarly bothered by a couple lurid shots in X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes, which, hey! also came out in 1963. Quite a year for the eyeballs.

[@jeffgreenberg5306]

thanks, fun review. i just watched The Birds for the first time in quite a few years, so thought I would check out your commentary on it. Wow, its still a very disturbing and compelling watch. i have no idea why i have never thought of this as one of the great horror movies of all time, as i think it is. Its freaky and pretty much created its own subgenre. i also think it influenced Romero's Night of the Living Dead. Although I agree with you that the scene when they attack the kids doesn't have the greatest special effects, the other scenes, including the main attack on Melanie remain visually compelling to me, as do the creepy gatherings of birds. And its a film in which Hitchcock definitely earned his "master of suspense" title. i also think it was probably one of the bloodiest graphic mainstream films of its time. Finally, I like how the situation of the bird attacks brings out the best in Melanie, advances her relationship with Mitch, and helps Mitch's mom appreciate that she is not just some frivolous spoiled rich girl she has to protect Mitch from.

[@travistaylor5000]

Ok, this is another Hitchcock film I really like. The early shot of the cars in San Francisco I like, Hitchcock's cameo coming out of the pet store walking his dogs, the build up that you know something is gonna happen soon, like all the birds just lined up on that telephone cable, and later, on the jungle gym at the school. Lastly I like your review about the film, getting a good chuckle when you hummed that annoying children's song. Lol. Oh my goodness!

[@seanthacker4895]

Another great review, as they all have been! I think The Birds may have been the first Hitchcock movie I saw as a kid. Either that or possibly Psycho. I both movies. I’m not afraid of birds, but I have to admit the idea of them pecking eyes out freaked me out a bit when I first saw it. It’s still a creepy and discomforting idea to me even as an adult in my 30s now.

[@CarolynsReadingRamblings]

My English class watched this when I was 14 (apparently we read the short story as well which I have 0 memory of) and it absolutely terrified me! Rewatching it recently, the film itself wasn't that scary because I kept noticing all the 60s stuff and saw it through the lens of a cheesy 90s horror film sort of where I just thought "oh now why would you go in there alone?!" etc. However, the birds part was still horrifying. It very much bothers me that neither the movie, nor the story give any explanation (although when I looked it up, apparently the story at least hints the weather has something to do with it). Also, that song was in a children's songs video I had when I was little and I loved it but hearing it again in this film, I agree with you (though I still find the tune catchy even though it is the song that never ends lol).

[@jeffgreenberg5306]

i like the lack of explanation, and the ending. its about the what if and how peple respond to it. when melanie goes up and into that room i agree its the classic "why did s/he go in there?" moment that has become such a common horror movie occurrence.

[@meowza3k]

Hitchcock explains the birds (attacks) in the 5 minute trailer to the film

[@ronnieburton1312]

Can you imagine trying to call a business and being put on hold and that song is the music that plays while you wait for a real person to answer? 😅

[@Weiselberry]

Oof!

[@ronnieburton1312]

@@Weiselberry Sorry, Jerome! A while back, I was on hold for literally twenty minutes and the music they played suggested a cartoon mouse tiptoeing around trying not to awake a cat! It took me a while to get it out of my head.

[@PatriciaXara]

I liked The Birds a lot. I live in a city close to the sea and there are seagulls everywhere. This movie made them look more scary when they are flying towards me. They've chosen that song because it's in public domain. But the scene was too long so the writer had to write and add new verses to the song. And now he's the one receiving royalties for that song. :)

[@Weiselberry]

I was in a parking lot the other day where all these seagulls were swooping around, much too close for comfort. I practically sprinted into the store to escape them. Ugh.

[@jorgelopez-pr6dr]

I recall this movie when I see a lot of birds in the electric cables, like if they were watching.

[@McIntyreBible]

Sister, you say this movie is your moms favorite, it's mine too, in terms of Hitchcock's movies. The scene in the diner with the drunken character, the crazed mother with her children, and the man who comes in for a drink at the bar, are classic!!

[@rsacchi100]

Alfred Hitchcock was a master. I didn't see the movie until many years after it came out. I remember the sensation when it did come out. The film left the impression the love birds had something to do with it. With them leaving the island with the others it left the impression the characters' harrowing experience wasn't over. You may want to consider seeing and reviewing Marnie if you haven't already. Marnie does deal with more mature subject matter.

[@worrywart1311]

On first viewing I thought the "no-resolution" ending of the Birds was lame, but the film has gone up in my estimation over two subsequent viewings. I appreciated reading about "tricks" Hitchcock employed on the film, such as the illusion at the end of Rod Taylor opening a door that isn't there, simply by using a shadow effect. PS It's a painfully l-o-n-g wait for your review of Frenzy, my favourite "late-career" Hitchcock film.

[@SurferJoe1]

Excellent observations. If there's one thing I would fault Hitchcock for (and there are a few), he had a tendency to repeat ideas. So when he does something as fresh and different as this- twice in row with "Psycho"! - it's strange to me that this film is only coming into its proper recognition these days. At least it seems that way to me- I think his contemporary fans didn't know what to do with it. "Psycho" didn't have that problem. Two notes: (1) the effects were courtesy of Ub Iwerks, co-creator of Mickey Mouse. (2) You are correct about the song. Mildly worse than the fifty verses of "Que Sera, Sera".

[@nicholasjanke3476]

I always found it odd how the characters of Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor become lovers so quickly after the opening scene where the two seemingly throughly dislike each other! Then almost immediately Tippi Hedren goes out and buys the guy an expensive gift, and searches out the guy's address , and then they're a couple.

[@RSEFX]

Here's a suggestion re: the original DuMarrier (sp?---I don't think this is correct) --story: I catch up with a lot of my reading by listening to audio book recordings. There is a terrific (free) audio of the complete original story you can easily find on YT, read by a fellow named Edward French (an award-winning make-up artist). I highly recommend it. ...along with a lot of his other spoken word stories (mostly fantastical in nature----like the original story that the movie THE FLY was based on...etc etc). He has an amazingly mesmerizing voice for this sort of thing. The original story pulls one in, step step step at a time, as initial relatively minor incidents slowly grow bigger and bigger and more inexplicable....and no one knows why this all started. The change of weather---or climate?---seems pretty suspect. It's quite a unique piece of writing. Ok, enuf blab from me. Best, rs

[@Weiselberry]

I actually did get around to reading the original DuMaurier story sometime after I did this review. Here's a link to the video where I talked about it if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXnbimd_rp5krtk. I still might look up Edward French's audio recording(s), though. I always enjoy a good voice. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@RSEFX]

@@Weiselberry Not sure if I mentioned Edward French's other readings. He really is THE best at this sort of thing, primarily stories of an outre nature. His readings are very much "performances" in an uncanny way, even tho they aren't plays as such, just readings. He does an amazing job (amazing is such an easy word to throw around, but I do mean it amazed me) with the John W. Campbell story WHO GOES THERE, which was the basis for the film THE THING ('51) and the more faithful version Carpenter did in '82. It is a special accomplishment considering the somewhat atypical dialogue of the scientists and engineers all huddled together amidst mounting terror in an isolated research station in Antarctica. (Just realized I'm kinda repeating myself with some of this. Sorry.)

[@RSEFX]

@@SJHFoto It's actually a short story...well, a fairly long short story, but not a book. Hitchcock's REBECA was also based on one of her works. (There may be another, tho I can't pick a title off top my head at the moment)

[@Weiselberry]

Yes, I looked up Edward French and saw what a wealth of material he has. Looks like a lot of good things to choose from! I read Who Goes There? several years ago, and I confess I struggled some with the dry scientific talk. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. Maybe I'd enjoy it more through a dramatic reading. Ooh, I know this one! Jamaica Inn (1939, dir. Alfred Hitchcock) is also based on a Daphne du Maurier novel.

[@RSEFX]

@@Weiselberry Y'know, I was going to say that the first couple chapters of WHO GOES THERE in particular are a bit of a scientific slog. I have some pretty good science background and I still found it unnecessarily thick in discussions of the icy surroundings and things like the serum test---the Carpenter film, for one thing, was smart to avoid the serum test altogether and go directly to using the copper wire to test the blood of humans vs the "inhuman-non-humans". French's reading I think really does help a lot, and there are bits of music from the Hawks film and wind sounds to help create a mood. I find the concept of the story utterly frightening and suspenseful Even wrote a script to make my own version of the story in 8mm when I was in junior high!---problem was we didn't have any really good teenage actor friends to play all those adult parts: We also would've all have had to wear fake beards with flour in our hair to make us look like adult scientists. ( I guess we could've set the whole story outdoors and just worn parkas and goggles all the time to hide our faces---Ha!, But winters in Michigan? forget it! We weren't THAT dedicated!) Well, another ramble. But this might give you an idea of my fascination with the ideas in that particular story!

[@DenkyManner]

I recommend the short story, it's basically a proto-zombie apocalypse story, only with birds instead of people. Different characters but the same event.

[@Weiselberry]

Yes, the short story is very good. A couple years after I made this video, I talked about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXnbimd_rp5krtk and again here (discussing an audio version): kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWO4qGmEi6-oo6M

[@ClassicswithCourtney]

Have you ever seen Marnie? That's a movie I am interested in as well as this one. My boss & my mom both say they have either seen The Birds or bits and pieces of it. Neither of them are Hitchcock fans but I happen to enjoy some of his movies.

[@Weiselberry]

I've seen Marnie a few times, though not in several years. There are things about it I don't like, and the plot relies on a lot of sexual and psychological/Freudian themes that I'm not into.

[@katelove2285]

I saw The Birds when I was about 14 and it freaked me out !! And yes every time I see birds on the phone wires, I think of the film. It's very Hitchcock and while it was good, not my top fav of his films. I love the films that he directed with Jimmy Stewart. Sidenote: Grace Kelly's black and white dress in Rear Window and her blue dress in To Catch a Thief. Have you seen his Hitchcock Presents show?? Very good and a lot of well know actors are in the series. Claude Rains was in a few, Audrey Meadows, Mary Astor, Barbara Bel Geddes, Vincent Price, Hume Cronyn and the list goes on.

[@Weiselberry]

I know I've seen a couple episodes, the ones that are included on the cheap Hitchcock box set, but I don't remember the titles. I'll have to watch more. I'll probably go for the Claude Rains and Vincent Price ones first!

[@RSEFX]

I grew up with that series. I actually didn't know he was a director at the time! ha. I thought he was a host-writer like Rod Serling. In fact, in the 50's, among the "average" viewer, there wasn't this whole school of thought about directors being anything all that special. That came later with the "auteur theory" in the 60's. No one studied the film-making process all that much at the time (well, except for us child film buffs who had zillions of questions about "why this, and why that?", and, er, the French!). AH's show is still in syndication, and I still watch episodes when I can. Always liked the "THE OPEN WINDOW" episode with the infamous "nurse Betty". The director of that one later became a dear friend,. Ok, enough on Alfred Hitchcock Presents from this end. I'm glad that show is remembered all these years on!

[@Vlad65WFPReviews]

I hope you got around to reading du Maurier's story - like much of her writing it is creepy and compelling. Oh, and like the movie, the source story is generally vague about why the birds are attacking (may be vaguely meteorological or environmental). The book version is set in rural England and doesn't have any of Hitch's typical mother relationship stuff as in the movie. Daphne wasn't crazy about the changes and additions Hitchcock made - she much preferred Nic Roeg's direction of her story Don't Look Now as it stayed very true to her vision. Of course there is so much more one could cover - Hitch's usual dark comic touches, the God's point of view shot of the gas station fire, the innovative electronics in the soundtrack (a sound mix for bird sounds that included cats) and so much more. Thanks for the review though, as always. (and I notice that, despite this scary movie, you seem to be surrounded by owls.)

[@Weiselberry]

Yes, I did! I thought it was excellent, my favorite thing I've read by du Maurier. I briefly discussed it in a video after I read it (kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXnbimd_rp5krtk ) and again after I listened to an audio performance of it (kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWO4qGmEi6-oo6M ). It didn't diminish my appreciation for the movie either. I find it easy to enjoy both as vastly different interpretations of the same premise.

[@Vlad65WFPReviews]

@@Weiselberry The Birds is indeed one of her best - 'Kiss Me Again, Stranger" is also very memorable with its blend of aching desire and psychopathic danger. (spoiler here for others). I'd be most interested to get your interpretation of The Blue Lenses too

[@sunscreen193]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thought that song the kids sing in the schoolhouse was SO annoying! lol

[@johnbaca8692]

I just saw the Tippy smoking while she waits for the kids to be dismissed scene . My wife fell asleep while watching "The Birds". As an aside, I find that smoking in movies is annoying because I have seen the human tragedy caused by tobacco after 50 years in health care. I remembered that you had reviewed the movie, but did not watch the review because the film was such a disappointment to me. I saw it in the theater when I was 12 years old. I was an immature and shallow kid expecting lots of horror and violence. Instead there is this love story, and the pretty blond lady did not get pecked to death as expected. I really should re-watch this one!

[@lanagorgeous9485]

This movie terrified me when I was young. But a great movie!

[@juliell2139]

Hi, I liked The Birds, too. I agree on how annoying the kid’s singing was. We always joked that it was why the birds attacked. Lol. The piano playing was nice though so make up for the annoyance (I actually sought out and downloaded the piano music). Rod Taylor is hot in this as Mitch. I really loved the whole bird shop sequence. Very hot (reminds me of the old Taster’s Choice coffee commercials where the single guy would go to his single lady neighbor’s door). So flirty. He was also good in The Time Machine but I tried to watch some of his other roles and he was very macho, a little too hard core, but he had real class in these roles here. Also, I think they did the looking thing at the gas pump because you were supposed to see their faces and imagine the horrors they were seeing. A device used in movies where they couldn't/wouldn't show a monster or death but alluded to it. Maybe you might imagine a body burning or someone on fire. Nothing they would show to viewers, Hitchcock was too classy for that. Nice to see Tandy young and without Hume. The pining school teacher was a great character too. Steaming in her school house over Mitch and a pack of cigarettes. Wonder what she’s imagining…ooh la la. Tippi is great, too. I can see Melanie (her daughter) in her face. The exchanges between Melanie(Tippi) and Annie were pretty intense and full of allusions. tehe. I actually started following you because I am a diehard Jane Eyre 1973 fan and enjoyed your analysis/defense/confession. Lol. Keep it up.

[@Weiselberry]

I also liked Rod Taylor in The Time Machine, as well as in 36 Hours, which seemed like quite a different role for him, but I haven't been interested in most of his other movies either. Your comments made me think of something: all the main women in the movie (not just Tippi Hedren) are striking-looking. Jessica Tandy, even though she's playing the mother, retains a youthful and vulnerable look that makes you look twice, and I always notice how the camera lingers on Suzanne Pleshette after her first introduction. Annie Hayworth is basically the physical antithesis of Melanie Daniels, but not frumpy like you might expect the podunk schoolteacher to be. Interesting. Glad you're enjoying the videos! :D

[@ettawing5955]

I finally looked up the song. I like it. Even when I was a kid.

[@guythecat490]

The lack of plot in this film is astonishing, esp. considering it’s Hitch, who loves pychological backstory. That’s kinda my prob with it and I’m a cat lover, so I am considering showing this to the cat. Is that wrong? Love your reviews.

[@Dmdmello]

nice group of birds behind you

[@crazydangerouspodcast8849]

I agree some movies should be watched in the lowest quality (vhs) for Nostalgia.

[@kevinogracia1615]

Based on a true story. Droppings running amuck in a coastal town. Peace on earth.

[@THEPETERC1]

What about Birdemic?

[@peterconetta399]

Alfred Hitchcock gained fame and fortune by becoming "the master of suspense". Whenever he tried his hand at horror I think he was less successful.

[@ruadrift]

gr8 closing🤣

[@ClassicswithCourtney]

Hi Jerome! I just saw The Birds yesterday and I was not a fan. I did like Tippi and Rod. I thought they had wonderful chemistry and it was very scary! But I really didn't care for it. I also saw Marnie yesterday as well and it was about the same effect. :/

[@Weiselberry]

Well, at least you don't have to wonder anymore! Too bad you didn't like The Birds, but I know it's not for everyone.

[@13down13]

More power to your mom for this being her favorite Hitchcock movie - I can't imagine it being anyone's favorite. Oh, well. I like having a plot - guess I'm old fashioned that way. Birds don't attack people en mass. There should be a reason. Why are they quite one moment and then crazy the next? It was good for the drama and suspense, but it doesn't make sense. The featurette for the movie said that they didn't want to explain it because then it would be science fiction. So in the previous movie, Psycho, that became science fiction when Simon Oakley gave an explanation of Norman's behaviour? So if Hitchcock would have directed Godzilla instead of Honda, the movie would have been: The everday life of the citizens of Tokyo is shown, Godzilla comes ashore, and while he's rampaging through the middle of Tokyo, up on the screen comes "The End". Glad we got Honda. I didn't like that Susanne Pleshette was killed basically for no reason. Yeah, I know the crazy birds did it, but it didn't really advance the story and she was a good character. There is some good acting and some good directorial touches, of course. I'm not sure Tippi is all that likeable here. It's kind of creepy that she snuck into the house and left the birds. How would you feel knowing some stranger was in your house walking around? She's doing some nice and friendly things, but she doesn't really come off as a nice person. I agree with the mom when she said, "I don't know whether or not I like you." Or something close. Tippi's character was portrayed as smart throughout the entire movie until she turns off here brain and walks into a room with a hole in the roof and shuts the door behind her. Having a character do something stupid for the sake of drama is not well thought out, in my opinion. The electronic bird noises are annoying also. The use of silence is fine here, but the fake bird noises was distracting. Real bird noises were okay. Shall we talk about the ending? Good, because there is none. The film stops and it's like, "is that all?"

[@ronnieburton1312]

I liked Suzanne Pleshette too and you made a good point about the creepiness of some stranger coming into your house.

[@fkvdmark]

A bit off topic, but: Heard the rhyme for the first time. It's pretty annoying, but I can't imagine it will ever get more annoying than Walt Disney's "It's a small world".

[@natepac283]

Out of curiosity, I looked up Bodega Bay on Wikipedia. I was disappointed that mention of this film was not made until the last sentence of the article. I mean, how many more significant things have happened in Bodega Bay, CA? This was also my first Hitchcock film and it remains a definite top five.

[@jk3521]

Not one of my favorite Hitchcock movies. There is no "story" and no resolution of the situation. The characters are all cardboard .

[@jorgelopez-pr6dr]

This movie is Hitchcock at his best. It is the sole of his movies that is sheer terror, the only one that events cannot be explained in an rational way.The other ones are only suspense and mystery. The 1972 movie Frogs ( with Ray Milland) has the same sort of plot, nature gone wrong , but in that case, with amphibians. Ps: you are right: the children's song has an unnerving quality.

[@derekllewellyn6663]

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