Hitchcock Film Analysis: Vertigo, Psycho, and the Birds

This investigation seeks to evaluate the films Vertigo, The Birds and Psycho, all directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and how the success of these films show his effect on pop culture. The first component of this paper outlines Hitchcock's techniques in the three films and describes how he used the techniques to instill fear. The reaction and degree of success to these films is measured through the impact of these techniques, the number of ticket sales, and the similarities between these three films and the horror films of today. Several sources are used in this research paper, including The Horror Film and the Alfred Hitchcock Interviews. These sources are then evaluated by discussing their origins, purpose, value and limitations. I will also view the films Vertigo, The Birds, and Psycho, to evaluate the techniques used and to gain a better understanding of his work.

B. SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE

In a 1972 interview with the American Film Institute, Hitchcock stated that, in his films, he sought "to handle the material so as to create an emotion in the audience." Hitchcock's movies are teemed with techniques used to instill fear within the audience. For example, when Psycho first came out, no one was allowed to enter the theater after the movie had started (this was unusual during the 1960s). In a 1963 interview with Ian Cameron, he said, "I'm more interested in the technique of story telling by means of film rather than in what the film contains." As the director and often times the producer, Hitchcock used every factor to his advantage, from the sound and camera angles, to the setting and circumstances surrounding the situation.