What Makes Alfred Hitchcock Movies Great?

[@rager1969]

I loved his TV show. He was always making fun of "the sponsors" when it was time to go to the first commercial break. And at the end, he'd have some witty or twisted take or epilogue for the story. So fun.

[@RobertHowe-zv7gs]

Vertigo is my favorite; I watch it at least once a year !

[@theoriginalmr.j1422]

My favorites are "Spellbound and North by Northwest"

[@kathleengorney7829]

This was a great and interesting analysis of Hitchcock's movies. Thank you.

[@TomReda-m7w]

He is truly one of the greatest of all time! I believe he made more masterpieces than any other director...

[@MikePerna-z6j]

There are but a handful of movies that are as entertaining now as they were when originally released. This is primarily due to changing tastes and evolving standards of morality. In essence, movies don't age so much as the world around them grows up. For the most part, Hitchcock's movies avoided this fate because they do not focus on the story, the setting, the action, or even the characters. They focus on the inner workings of the human mind. More precisely, they take you to the mind's darkest places. This is an area we are all familiar with but seldom admit to. Yet, because it is so foreboding, it is fascinating to peer in. With the added bonus of giving us greater insight into our own demons.

[@oldtimetv65]

Hitchcock started during the silent era and I think this relates to point #2.

[@dimik3855]

We should all be grateful to have had even a little bit of Hitchcock in our lives.

[@billding7073]

Shadow of a Doubt. Murder in a comfortable small town setting that brought the audience uncomfortably close the killer, and parlayed with some gallows humor. My absolute favorite Hitchcock film.

[@angloaust1575]

Operates in dark areas of life Murder his favourite theme!

[@MrGadfly772]

There's actually no music in Dracula. It is famous for having NO Soundtrack. The only use of music is during the opening credits and then it uses the classical musical piece "Swan Lake" by Tchaikovsky. You should have used the example of later Universal horror films instead. Otherwise, you are quite right. Alfred Hitchcock was a master, and it was nice of you to point out Tarantino's mistake as well. Quentin Tarantino is extremely overrated as a director.

[@plaidgadjo]

Correct! I do highly recommend the soundtrack that Philip Glass composed for it in 1999 (for a special Universal DVD release). It's performed by the Kronos Quartet... It's great and adds a darker vibe to the film. I even bought a copy on vinyl!

[@MrGadfly772]

@@plaidgadjo That does improve it yes. However, the fact that it is done a style that wasn't of the time period always jarred me a bit.

[@mrsteveinsandiego]

Cuz Hitchcock knows how to make'm entertaining...😁

[@ThePiratemachine]

I'm not really a great fan of Hitchcock for the reason that I find him what I would call a "Surface director." His films don't go deep, except for "Vertigo." But I do like all of his films and watch them all as he is the maser of suspense. Some of his films IMO suffer from not the best scripts e.g."Vertigo" got too convoluted I think. He lost what might have been any spontaneity because of rewrites because he couldn't find a screenwriter to fulfill his vision for it ( so I read. ) But it's got its own unique appeal. I think the film might have benefited from a little more of what "The Three faces Of Eve" has got ( although Two Faces in Kim Novak's case! ) One I like possibly better than all the others is "Jamaica Inn" but he had magnificent Charles Laughton ( but most don't agree with me so..? ) I thought "Rear Window" was shot in a manner that was too shallow but "The Birds" maintains its fascination although even there I thought the characterization could have gone a little deeper about the mother complex hinted at in Rod Taylor. But that's just my taste. He had his vision, as you have pointed out. "Psycho" is a bit the same - sort of "surface " all the way except the coda but it's interesting for me because Vera Miles is my favorite actress. Very enjoyable listening to you and how you see Alfred Hitchcock. I like "The Wrong Man" not only because it is one of Vera's best performances Hitchcock got out of her but the law side is interesting and I like the B&W aspect. I read where Hitchcock said he was influenced by two films - "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" ( think it was 1953? ) and "Portrait of Jennie" ( 1948 ) re the Carlotta part in "Vertigo." If that's true I think a better sense of mystery in the texture of the film would have helped in parts. It was too concrete for me. Thanks. "Strangers On A train" was getting into the deep realm of the mind. That's one of his best for me.Best Wishes. Stimulating listening and watching your video.

[@darrenhoskins8382]

I love Jamaica Inn 👍👍👍

[@CoolCucumber710]

Oh you have to watch Shadow of a Doubt. He stated it was one of if not his favorite movie.

[@Indite_Biden]

White genius