Hitch #50 - The Birds (1963)

Funnily enough after pondering on whether I ever really saw Psycho for the first time I do have very distinct memories of seeing The Birds for the first time. I can’t remember when but I know it was on the telly with both my brother and my sister. I can’t really remember seeing many films with both of my siblings. I saw a lot of films with Helen but can’t really remember watching many with Anton. I’d guess it was probably in the late 70s or early 80s (BBC Genome has a showing in 76 but that seems a bit early, and the next in 92, which is definitely too late!).

The Birds (1963)

To be honest what I really remember wasn’t the film but the ending of the film. I don’t believe we’d ever encountered a film that ends the way The Birds does - it certainly finished late and I remember the three of us sitting in slightly baffled silence. I think we all wanted a resolution and The Birds doesn’t give you that.

I have seen the film a few times since, although I haven’t rated it since I gave 6/10 in 1999. I’m not sure watching it tonight has changed that - it does have some amazing scenes, but it’s not a film that I can love…

Bits I do love…

• The titles.
• The sound design.
• Melanie sitting outside the school while the crows gather on the climbing frame behind her.
• I rather enjoy the scene in the diner with everyone chipping in their thoughts and experience - it’s the end of the world - It is mankind, rather, who insists upon making it difficult for life to exist upon this planet.
• Melanie in the attic is truly terrifying (although… what was she thinking going in there!?)
• The love birds leaning while Melanie speeds along the coast road.

The leaning love birds

• Oh, and of course, the ending.

We’ve clearly arrived at the period of Hitch that I find difficult to love, this may well be the last one that I even like! Although… we’ll see.

• Source: Download
• Rating: 6/10
• Hitchcock Zone: The Birds (1963)