The Birds (1963)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette

A wealthy San Francisco socialite pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people.

I don’t know if its just me, but anything Alfred Hitchcock seems so overrated…

Yes, there’s no denying he was one of the pioneer film makers of the time. There’s also no denying his suspense is well crafted. He managed to take something ordinary – birds – and turned it into something terrifying. Having watched the film back in 1963, people must have been terrified of seagulls and crows, especially, afterwards. The bird attack scenes are very realistic thanks to innovative visual techniques that were created at the time – yellow screen, as opposed to blue or green screen.

So, why then do I find the movie overrated after what I have just stated above? There are several issues with this supposed masterpiece. As someone who did script writing courses, ‘The Birds’ contradicts many of the guidelines. The film is off to a very slow start with no hook at all. It starts off as a delightful comedy – most of the scenes made up of trivial funny moments. It was a fun way of getting to know the characters, I suppose, but the film should have started with a hook to reel the viewer in.

The film also takes its time setting up the scene. The second act is much better paced with action and plenty of attack scenes. The romance between Mitch (Rod Taylor) and Melanie (Tippi Hedren) happens way too quickly and is not realistic at all. She had only just met the man and by the second day they act as if they’ve been together for a while and about to ask his Mother’s blessings!! The Mother, Lydia (Jessica Tandy) is mysterious for no apparent reason, and I can only assume she is senile.

By the time the film ends, no explanation is given for the birds’ behavior, nor is there any conclusion. The film simply suddenly ends as if they honestly had no idea how to end the film, or what solution there could, should or would have been for the scenario. This sort of cliffhanger ending makes me doubt the writers and the director. This is no way to leave the audience hanging… I mean, I honestly believe they literally had no clue how to end the film!

Still, ‘The Birds’ is a well made film that must have frighten audiences almost six decades ago. ‘The Birds’ deservedly received an Oscar nomination for Best Effects, Special Visual Effects. The film earned $11.4 million on a $3.3 million budget.

Would I watch it again? I don’t think so.