Released in a special Blu-ray edition to celebrate its 50th birthday, Alfred Hitchock's The Birds remains a masterpiece of tension, tinges of horror and...... more
Released in a special Blu-ray edition to celebrate its 50th birthday, Alfred Hitchock's The
Birds remains a masterpiece of tension, tinges of horror and outright suspense. Not bad for a film that never really got the respect it deserved on its original release back in 1963. The heart of the film is Melanie Daniels, played superbly by the legendary Tippi Hedren. She heads off to what looks like an idyllic and quiet coastal town, only to find it under siege from
birds. Lots and lots of them. Hitchcock's firm grip on the material means that he's astute at what to show and what not, investing time too in ensuring that his characters, lot least Hedren's, are more complex than your average thriller. But of course, The
Birds simply is far more than you average thriller anyway. Standing the test of time exceptionally well, this Blu-ray release presents the film with a strong 1080p transfer, and a welcome, clear audio track. There's clearly been real care and attention involved in getting the film presented this well, and along with an interesting and diverting bundle of extras, it makes The
Birds the recipient of a very welcome birthday present. A masterpiece of cinema, and a must-have Blu-ray. --Jon Foster
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