Alfred Hitchcock is the GOAT Film Director
At this point, I’ve seen enough. You can have Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and the rest. Alfred Hitchcock is the greatest film director of all time. I’ve only seen six of his films to date, but from a technical and storytelling perspective, Hitchcock is as good as you will find. Let me take you through the Hitchcock films I’ve seen to give you an idea of what I’m talking about. No big spoilers, but these are all must-watch.
Rear Window (1954)
I’m opening things up with my favorite movie of all time. Rear Window has everything. Suspense. Character development. Artistry. Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly are fantastic as they investigate strange occurrences in the former’s courtyard. This thriller takes place from the single perspective of an apartment window, yet the film doesn’t feel small at all. It just goes to show you don’t need a ton of technology to make an intriguing movie. I could probably talk about Rear Window for hours, but I don’t want to spoil any of it. Go watch it!
Vertigo (1958)
A really solid character study with a worthwhile twist and plenty of suspense. The plot may seem convoluted but the climax is deserved. In my opinion this is one of the most complete Hitchcock films out there. More excellent work from Jimmy Stewart as a retired detective with a fear of heights. There is plenty of depth and lots to unpack with each of the main characters. Even when you know how it ends, this is still remarkably re-watchable. I’m finding it very difficult to describe some of these without spoiling them.
To Catch a Thief (1955)
This is not one of Hitchcock’s more critically-acclaimed films, but it is still excellent and definitely underrated in my opinion. Cary Grant stars as the debonair former cat burglar accused of getting back into the action. Another masterclass from Grace Kelly, who shines as much more than just a passive love interest. The story is fairly basic by Hitchcock’s standards, but the aesthetic and artistry elevate To Catch a Thief into a higher tier for me.
Dial ‘M’ for Murder (1954)
Hitch does a masterful job at making a complicated plot as easy to follow as possible. Oh what’s that? Grace Kelly crushing it again? Not surprised. The dialogue is a real strength of this film and the pacing gets quicker as it goes along. It’s a slow burn where the performances from the lead actors keep the viewer engaged throughout. Because the primary crime is known to the audience from the outset, the thrill is found in how the investigation unfolds.
Rope (1948)
Another one where the audience is in on the secret from the beginning. Two roommates attempt to pull off the “perfect murder” by strangling one of their former classmates. They hide the corpse in an old chest and then host a dinner party while the body is still in their apartment. However, one of their guests has his suspicions (oh, it’s Jimmy Stewart again). Again, I think it’s impressive to craft an engaging script when the element of surprise is taken away. Another strong effort as far as dialogue is concerned.
North by Northwest (1959)
The pacing of North by Northwest is incredibly satisfying. Cary Grant is great once again, the visuals are excellent, and there’s a lot of really solid humor. There’s really not anything bad about this one. Some call this Hitchcock’s greatest film and that’s not a crazy thing to say. Truly an all-time great thriller.
All six of these films were masterpieces. I still need to see Psycho (1960), The Birds (1963), Strangers on a Train (1951), Rebecca (1940), and Notorious (1946) to hit all of his top films, but what I’ve seen from Hitch has been incredible. If you haven’t seen any of the movies I discussed, throw them on your watchlist and thank me later.
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