Between 1958 and 1960, director Alfred Hitchcock released three movies: “Vertigo,” “North by Northwest” and “Psycho.” All three are legitimate classics. “North By Northwest” perfected the romantic suspense thriller and probably set the template for the James Bond movies that would arrive a few years later. “Psycho” revolutionized the horror film and played tricks on Hitch’s audience that they’d never forget. And in 2012, more than 50 years after its release, “Vertigo” topped the prestigious Sight & Sound critics poll, ranking as the greatest movie ever made.
So it’s no wonder that his follow-up to all that brilliance, 1963’s “The Birds,” seems like a bit of a letdown. For one thing, after the tight, tense thrills of its immediate predecessor, “Psycho,” “The Birds” feels a little too leisurely, taking great care (and a lot of time) to put all its characters in place before sending them screaming with flocks of attacking birds. Also, unlike “Psycho,” which still feels ahead of its time, “The Birds” is very much of its time, a straightforward, deliberately paced tale of love, jealousy and repression.
Until, of course, it’s not. Because though “The Birds” is no “Psycho” (or “Vertigo” or “North by Northwest”), it still has plenty to recommend it. The cast is top-notch, with Tippi Hedren (in her screen debut) and Rod Taylor matching up nicely, and the special effects, though occasionally a little shaky to modern eyes, still hold up surprisingly well. And the movie is surprisingly brutal, with main characters dying, children in mortal danger and more blood and gore (in color this time) than even “Psycho” dared show.
On this episode of Out of Theaters, Will and Billy debate the merits of Hitchcock’s environmental nightmare, enduring the slow spots and praising the high points. They also discuss some other Hitchcock films and reveal the real world connection between “The Birds” and “Shadow of a Doubt.” Plus, continuing the Hitchcock theme, will recommends a couple of excellent slow-burn horror films directed by none other than Oz Perkins, the son of “Psycho” star Anthony Perkins.
