Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock - The Master of Suspense

[groucho070]

Exactly opposite. Vertigo is cinematic excellence, I say!

Athu enamoo theriyila, I find the film boring. Can never take Stewart seriously and I find his character here annoying beyond belief. Don't let me started about Kim Novak's double act.

And, wtf was so special about strangers on a train?

Actually nothing much. Some good dialogue, I remember.

was in a very bad state as I was tormented by the waterfront, Mockingbird and these train strangers back to back. sema erichal aayiruchu...

Unggala yaaru back to back-a paarka sonnathu, gap vuttu paartha maybe erichal vanthurukathu

[salaam_chennai]

There are the Hitchcock movies i have seen.
1. Rear Window
2. Psycho
3. North by Northwest
4. Vertigo
5. Notorious
6. Shadow of a doubt
7. Dial M for Murder
8. Rope
9. The Lady Vanishes.
10. Strangers in a train.

i.e all his imdb 250 movies. My favorites are Dial M for Murder, Psycho and The Lady Vanishes. Most disappointing movie was North by Northwest and Strangers in a train.

[Raikkonen]

I recall seeing the TV series when I was a kid. But can't quite recall

Titled "Alfred Hitchcock Presents..."
Really a heart stopper - I have many of those short story books.

Hitchcock is the original master of suspense and taught me the real meaning of suspense.

His Psycho has been inspirations for books and movies, all over the world. Sigappu Rojakkal and Moodu Pani come to mind immediately.

Anniyan??

many hollywood movies have been inspired by psycho.. friday the 13th (believe it or not) is the main one i can think of.

interestingly psycho (based on a novel) was actually inspired by the real life crimes of ed gein. check out articles about this guy because it's quite (although i wouldn't rank him alongside dahmer, gacy or chikatilo)..

and you will like the original pyscho even more if you have watched the god awful remake in 1998 . the remake was done by gus van sant (good will hunting, milk) and it's usually ranked as one of the worst remakes of all time..

hitchcock touch??? hell yes.

[Appu s]

His Psycho has been inspirations for books and movies, all over the world. Sigappu Rojakkal and Moodu Pani come to mind immediately.

Anniyan??

//Anniyan is inspired by sidney sheldon's novel "tell me your dreams",... but in the novel it is female character.//

[VENKIRAJA]

I have watched:
Rear window- Heavy disappointment, but fellow-hubbers suggest a re-watch. Not interested.
Psycho - Far better. Felt like, okay Hitchcock is not Kurasawa.
Strangers on a train -
Vertigo - Realised that he was one of the pioneers of Cinematic techniques and ofcourse is one of the most imprtant creators ever. This movie is surely one of the finest ever made.
Birds - Again, superb 'making'. Enjoyed watching it.

[kid-glove]

From this thread, it's pretty clear everyone holds a certain genre expectation and if the film conforms, it would naturally impress.

To me though, Hitchcock is the master of his craft for introducing his own signature to cinema, and as a result, one who impacted/molded it. If you consider him solely for his influence/importance, then significant things he has brought into Cinema:

a) Plot devices & specialties like voyuering camera, suspension of disbelief, Macguffin, deus ex machina, and other terms ascribed to Thrillers/Mystery/Crime.

b) To go beyond-the-genre in scope and breadth. some take offense in seeing him as a Genre specialist and not beyond. I would. For example, the man has dealt with love triangle like "The ring" (silent film) in all its seriousness and emotion.

c) Camera angles, tricks and ingenuity in the craft. Preciseness of the image that audience are allowed to see. (I saw a documentary when he said he writes the whole mis-en-scene to miniscule details, each frame is pre-planned and put together to drive the narration as a visual (I respect this over careful dialogue writing), and one to produce an effect on audience.

d) Psychoanalysis. Another favorite element of his work, and its subversion too.

e) Cinematic set-piece - Director flexing his muscles and flashing his skill in all the glory. Extension of c). If you watch the Psycho bathroom sequence, the stabbing effect is so precisely brought out with how he stages it. Similarly, the set-piece in "Vertigo" Tower sequence, "North By Northwest" Mt Rushmore, Bird attack in "birds", or the clinging sequence in Statue of Liberty, "Saboteur" and many other ending sequence incl. "Strangers on a train".

[Sid_316]

I have seen

Psycho-Brilliant! one of the best thrillers ever and soundtrack was so awesome.

Rear window/Vertigo- Was good but i dont know why many hate it.

Dial M for murder/Frenzy - was okay!

Birds was brilliant again.!

[groucho070]

Good post, Thilak Expecting more, possibly a look at Jimmy Stewart's association with the master.

But so far, nobody here seemed to have seen Rope, which I think probably his best as far as his gift for technique is concerned. Oh, things actually pick up when Stewart turns up halfway.

Again, great film. The seemingly single long take (brilliant editing made it possible), the subtle hint at homosexuality, the superb dialogues, etc, etc.

Of course, Thilak I'd like your take on the etc, etc

[NOV]

//Anniyan is inspired by sidney sheldon's novel "tell me your dreams",... but in the novel it is female character.//

have you read the book?

its like saying all love stories are inspired by Romeo & Juliet. :P

[Appu s]

//Anniyan is inspired by sidney sheldon's novel "tell me your dreams",... but in the novel it is female character.//

have you read the book?

its like saying all love stories are inspired by Romeo & Juliet. :P

yeah i have read that book 2-3 years back, for me it looks like shankar's Multiple disorder concept is inspired from Ashley's, even the ending is similiar... ending in train... going to kill her father .. here in anniyan i feel this lineman is the starter...