Hitchcock

Da Da, Da Da Da Da Dump De Da
Da Da Da Da Dump De Da

People my age and older will remember these whimsical notes at the commencement and conclusion of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', a television series from the 1950s in which the Master of Suspense introduces weird muted horror stories. Hitchcock made his name as Director of mystery films in which the anticipation of something terrible happening was far greater than what actually appeared on screen. It was usually a masterful example of smoke and mirrors. A sort of magic.

The most successful and famous of these films was, and remains, 'Psycho' which contains an inimitable shower sequence. Outstanding editing and use of striking music had audiences screaming in horror believing they were seeing a shocking stabbing when in reality the knife never touches the woman's skin let alone pierces it.

'Hitchcock' purports to tell the story of how the director came to make 'Psycho' against the opposition of the studio and financiers but more to the point it relates Hitchcock's voyeuristic personality, his fascination with cool blonde women and his relationship with his wife Alma who quietly was an influence in the success of his work with her skills as an editor and writer.

It is no coincidence, I think, that the large audience at my session was almost entirely comprised of people of my vintage and older. I suspect younger audiences will not get many of the film's references unless they be students of Hitchcock's work and career.

The film attempts to recreate some of the style of Hitchcock's own work and while there are moments when it doesn't quite succeed overall I really enjoyed it. Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren portray Hitch and Alma.

★★★1/2