Alfred Hitchcock is rightfully considered one of the most famous and popular directors of the 20th century. He released 55 full-length films on the big screen, starting to work in the UK in the era of silent films and ending with the production of color films in the vast vast Hollywood. In most cases, Hitchcock films were shot in the thriller and horror genre : a list of films that the public loves, presented in the article below.
Earliest work
Elements of ominous mystery and mysterious surprise contain all the best Hitchcock films . The list - horrors and thrillers, detectives and spy pictures - is worth starting with the very first works of the great director. Such "early birds" include the film "39 Steps" (1935). According to the scenario, the protagonist meets the girl Annabella. The beauty asks to save her from the pursuing killers, but the guy is skeptical about the words. When his new acquaintance dies of a knife wound, he is forced to go through all the circles of hell to prove his innocence. Alfred Hitchcock often went to tricks so that his main characters completely “dissolved” in the role. For example, during the filming of “39 Steps,” he stated that he had lost the keys to handcuffs: Robert Donat and Madeline Carroll had to spend several hours in chains.
The painting “Lady Disappears” (1938) is Alfred Hitchcock’s well-shot and elaborate early work. In the center of the plot is the loss of a good-natured elderly woman who travels on a train. Fellow travelers begin to investigate the crime, gradually becoming drawn into espionage intrigues. The film turned out to be exciting: critics called it one of the best examples of high-quality directing in the entire history of cinema.
Ingrid Bergman in the lead role
Alfred Hitchcock can boast of the love of ordinary viewers and the recognition of eminent critics. All films by Alfred Hitchcock, a list of which is presented in this article, have positive feedback from the audience. The film “Bewitched” (1945) is no exception: it tells of a patient with amnesia, which pretends to be a famous doctor. The female psychiatrist played by Ingrid Bergman is trying to save his new acquaintance from the murder charge. The film holds in suspense: the audience can not fully understand what the outcome of the events will be, whose version is the correct and only possible.
By the way,
Ingrid Bergman was one of Alfred Hitchcock's favorites. A year later, he invited her to play in the next film entitled "Notoriety" (1946). The film is about a girl who was given the task of spying on the Nazis who hunt in South America. Having fallen in love with a friendly agent, she tries to escape from a dangerous enemy with him. Since the film is about a nuclear bomb, Alfred Hitchcock decided to seek the advice of Nobel Laureate Robert Andrews Milliken. The doctor of science helped the picky director in many matters, but categorically refused to tell the details of the creation of deadly weapons.
The best detectives
The most stunning Hitchcock films have been shot in this genre. We start the list with a classic detective of its kind, “In the event of a murder, type“ M ”(1954) —the unity of action and place is skillfully and unconsciously preserved in it. The essence of the film is this: if your rich wife has a lover, she must be killed. Thus, a true gentleman can maintain his honor and financial position, restore dignity and respect for society. The problem is one thing: the wife’s lover is the author of detective stories, capable of unraveling even a perfectly planned crime. Critics and viewers perceived this picture with a bang, noting first of all the amazing play of the actors: Grace Kelly was at the height, Ray Milland also did not lag behind her.
Intoxicated by success, Alfred Hitchcock in the same year decided to remove the detective again. And he was not mistaken: the painting “Window on the Courtyard” (1954) exceeded all his expectations. The audience fell in love with the protagonist - the photographer, who, due to a broken leg, toils at home from boredom and idleness. Gray everyday life gives color to his daily observation of the neighbors. Their life is far from serene: the situation "smacks of" an ominous murder. The picture in four categories was nominated for an Oscar, but she did not receive any of the awards. Despite this, today this film is considered the property of world cinema.
Mysterious Thrillers
The list of films by Alfred Hitchcock continues with a list of paintings of this genre trend. And the leading position in it is occupied by the film "Suspicion" (1941) with Carey Grant in the title role. His hero marries a quiet girl, but the happiness of a married couple is marred by constant fears and torments of doubt. The husband begins to think that her husband plans to kill her. The role of the suspicious woman was brilliantly played by Joan Fontaine: she received the Oscar. Oddly enough, but this is the only acting award from the Academy, which was awarded the films of Alfred Hitchcock.
Two more good thrillers from the famous director: “Strangers on the Train” (1951) and “Dizziness” (1958). The first tells of two fellow travelers who decided to commit the perfect murder. This is not an ordinary banal “scary” movie, but a deep psychological work created using visual storytelling techniques. In the center of the plot of the second thriller is the surveillance of a detective who is afraid of heights for the wife of his friend. A woman walks around the city, a detective falls in love with her - a whirlpool of passions and mysteries begins. At first, the critics did not accept the “Dizziness”, calling it a failed film. And only after many years, the picture gained the status of a masterpiece.
Comedies
They, too, at one time added to the list of films by Alfred Hitchcock, which are worth watching. The director had an atypical sense of humor, which is why his comedies are unusual: they have a “black” satire. For example, in the film "Troubles with Harry" (1955), the main character is the eponymous corpse. Residents of the town alternately find it and try to hide it: each of them has its own reasons for this. But the "stubborn" dead man constantly reappears. Alfred Hitchcock considered this film one of the best in his career, despite the small box office and controversial reviews from critics.
We continue to analyze Hitchcock's films: the list continues with the romantic comedy Catch the Thief (1955). Starring cinema stars of the first magnitude. Charming Grace Kelly and her film set partner Carey Grant portrayed a couple in love. He is a thief whom the police falsely and unfairly suspect of a crime, she is a beautiful lady who helps him in capturing a real villain. The film became special in the fate of the actors: during the filming, Grace met her future husband, while Carey Grant's career found a second wind after a long downtime.
Feature films
Speaking about the best films of Hitchcock, the list continues with his iconic works. One of them was the painting "Rebecca" (1940). This is the first film shot by the director in Hollywood, and the only one to receive an Oscar in the category "Best Film of the Year". Cast - Ladies' favorite Lawrence Olivier and charming Joan Fontaine. After the death of his wife, the protagonist gains family happiness. But the young spouse is not perceived in the house, where, it seems, on all people and things lies the shadow of her deceased predecessor.
“Rope” (1948) is another special film. He became the first picture, shot in color. Despite this, there are no episodes with fabulous landscapes. In the center of the plot is the story of two students who, before the arrival of the guests, kill a friend just to feel superior. This picture is innovative and experimental. It is the first in the history of cinema to include long shots: it seems that there is no editing in the film, and it is perceived as a continuous theatrical action.
The highlight of the career
Elements of fear and nightmare were often used by Alfred Hitchcock. Horror films, a list of which is found in many movie ratings, also contain the names of his paintings. For example, Psycho (1960). Critics called it a film that forever changed the movie, and the audience dubbed the most terrible, innovative and famous work. The storyline revolves around a young secretary who, tired of the love of a married man, steals a huge amount at work and takes to the run. On the way, she stops at a hotel on the outskirts, where she is warmly greeted by a young host. Then the story unfolds unexpectedly and extraordinary.
The psychological thriller, bordering on horror, is distinguished not only by the skill of the cameramen, but also by the excellent acting performance - it featured Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles and Janet Lee. The author Alfred Hitchcock took the production so seriously that he bought up almost all the books on the basis of which the film was made. In this way, he tried to minimize the number of people who could recognize the ending. The film “Psycho” has many sequels, but all of them do not stand next to the work of the eminent director: Alfred Hitchcock always looked into the most remote corners of the human psyche, thereby creating a waking nightmare.
Favorite of the public
Excite, cling to sticky fear and paralyze Hitchcock's horror films. The list of the most nightmarish films is confidently continued by The Birds (1963). Filmed based on the story of Daphne du Maurier, she tells the story of a socialite who is attacked by a seagull on her way to the suburbs. And this is just the beginning. Already in the following episodes, the viewer understands that all the birds of the world took up arms against humanity. The main characters were played by Jessica Tandy, Rod Taylor and Tippy Hedren.
“Birds” is not only the audience’s favorite film, but also the most famous and mysterious in the career of a master of cinema. If in the previous paintings logic was observed, although sometimes plain and sophisticated, then here it is completely absent. We are surprised: are such cute and harmless feathered creatures capable of cruel and unmotivated aggression? The riot of elements fascinates and shows how helpless man is in front of the forces of nature. People feel like masters of the earth, forgetting that they are mortal, and that the world equipped with them is fragile and shaky. Awareness of this truth is the leitmotif of the picture.
Last works
Madness (1972) and Family Conspiracy (1976) are Hitchcock's final films. The list of works by the director ends here. Both paintings are action-packed thrillers. Critics called the “Family Conspiracy” “a gourmet dish intended for gourmets - admirers of the talent of old Alfred.” Here, an exquisite master skillfully mixed such ingredients as abduction, murder, robbery and arson. In the picture, all the elements are at the highest level: from the script to the soundtrack.
As for the "Madness", it is replete with all your favorite "Hitchcock" tricks and motives. In the center of the plot is a story about Richard, who is accused of a series of brutal murders of women - all of them were strangled by ties. Suspicion falls on the man after his own wife was among the victims of the maniac. Richard was sentenced to lengthy imprisonment, but there it was: detectives began to doubt his guilt. The film keeps you in suspense, it surprises with unexpected plot twists and horror elements, as, in principle, all the other works of Alfred Hitchcock - the genius of cinema.