The Birds

1963 "...and remember, the next scream you hear may be your own!"
7.6| 2h0m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 28 March 1963 Released
Producted By: Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

Thousands of birds flock into a seaside town and terrorize the residents in a series of deadly attacks.

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Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions

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thedarkknight-99999 Well, I'm so glad I sold my Budgies and Cockatiels before I watch this movie. Because this was pretty darn disturbing!The Birds finds Hitchcock at his very best building up the tension and creating suspense. The way the minor details are revealed in this movie is enough to make you glued to the screen throughout the whole movie, but I already know that Hitchcock is the best in doing this. What I didn't know before watching this movie is that The Master of Suspense is also a Master of Symbolism!Many people consider The Birds as one of Hitchcock most modest films, even some of his fans. I can see why, and it's simply because the movie seems that it left a lot of very important questions unanswered. I said it seems because it really did answer these questions symbolically.I won't spoil anything for those who haven't seen this gem yet, but I'll just point that the key to all these questions is a very important character and everything related to it.Just try to think which character the movie gave it a lot of exposition, and you'll easily understand the whole movie. And there is where I've an issue with The Birds. I think it gives a lot of explanations to this character that we don't necessarily need to because the movie expose some details what have already been revealed before. That being said, all characters are well-grounded, compelling, interesting, and necessary to the plot.All the performances were excellent, specially from Tippi Hedren who played the movie's protagonist. She is a wonderful actress, and her performance in this movie is nothing short of endearing. She is as charming as Audrey Hepburn!Some few decisions the characters made, may be one or two, are not so subtle, but the execution of the results to these decisions is what annoyed me a little bit. The characters seemed forced to fall into the trap.Although there is some blood and gore in this movie, Alfred Hitchcock proves again that what the scenes imply can be way more brutal than what they show. The scenes when the titular creatures attack are very painful to watch. Adding insult to injury, the birds acquire a metaphorical complexity that is as distressing as their beaks!Overall, The Birds is a very underrated Hitchcock film that doesn't lack any of Hitchcock's unparalleled brilliance. Also it would make a great companion to Hitchcock's most famous work, Psycho!(9/10)
theterminator-92378 One of Hitchcocks best came from the birds and when they say that he is the master of suspense the birds proved it well obviously other movies from him like Psycho north by north west and Vertigo they are by far the most iconic of his work and by far The Birds is one unique movie and i just love the building tension that is classic for all his movies The Birds follows a socialite from San Fransisco who follows a man who she is eyeing up a potential boyfriend and follows him to a rural town where birds begin to attack and slowly begins to attack the humans. The cast is Rod Taylor as Mitch Brenner,Jessica Tandy as Lydia Brenner,Tippi Hedren as Melanie Daniels,Suzanne Pleshette as Annie Hayworth, Veronica Cartwright as Cathy Brenner,Ethel Griffies as Mrs. Bundy, Charles McGraw as Sebastian Sholes,Ruth McDevitt as Mrs. MacGruder and Lonny Chapman as Deke Carter. The leading cast is amazing and the acting is amazing and it makes the story much much better. I think that The Birds is a fun Hithcock movie that captures the essence of his style of movies and they make every part of the story he is trying to tell and the directing and cinematography is perfect and it was just another one of his moves that captured his magic that he can bring to his movies and the cast was well choosen and it's a movie that if your a huge movie fan or not you will still just love this movie and it is defently a must watch if you haven't seen it.
buckikris Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) is a rich socialite from San Francisco. One afternoon on her way to a pet store she notices a large migration of seagulls. She walks into the pet store; and asks Mrs. Mac Gruger ( Ruth Devitt ) if any Mina Birds are available? She explains that they would have to be ordered, but she can get one for her. A few moments later a man walks in Mitch Brenner( Rod Taylor). He knows Melanie from a court incident and knows she doesn't work at the store. He continues to ask her questions on various birds. Melanie doesn't know anything about birds, so she looks like a fool. He is looking for Love Birds for his sister on her birthday. When Melanie finds out he knew who is is , she is furious and wants to get him back. When he leaves she finds out his address by getting a friend to run his plate number. She decides to ask Mrs. MacGruger to order some Love Bird; and she would pick them up tomorrow. The next day she picks them up and delivers them to his place in San Francisco. When she arrives his neighbors tells her he isn't there; and won't be back until Monday. He explains that he spends the weekend with his sister and mother in Bodega Bay. Melanie decides she will go up and surprise him with a gift.When she arrives she stops at the post office. She does some investigating and finds out he lives on the other side of the bay with his mother Lydia( Jessica Tandy) and his sister. Then she asks what his sister's name is? When she gets conflicting names , they tell her to go to Anne Hayworth's house( Suzanne Pleshette). She is the schoolteacher and can tell her what she needs to know. When Melanie arrives, Anne tells her that Mitch's sister is Cathy( Veronica Cartwright)re. Anne then goes on to ask is Melanie if she is one of Mitch's girlfriend's which makes Melanie feel awkward at first. Once she gets the the info from Anne she goes back to the dock and rents a boat. When she arrives at Mitch's house, she leaves the The Love Birds with a card for Cathy. When she leaves she rips up the card she had for Mitch and leaves. When she thinks she's free Mitch spots her out in the bay. He then gets into his truck and follows her back to town. On her way back Melanie gets attacked by a seagull. When she arrives back at The Tides restaurant she explains what happened to Deke Carter( Lonny Chapman) the owner; and to Mitch who begins to treat her.He asks her why she is up her? She lies and says she is up to she an Anne they were college friends. Mitch asks her how long she would be staying, they he invites her to dinner that night. When she is patched up she realizes she has to find a place to stay. She arrives back at Anne's and asks if she can rent a room? Anne agrees , and Melanie makes herself at home. When she arrives at the Brenner's house she get's to know Cathy more and they seem to hit it off. Melanie and Lydia seen distant, because of Lydia's attitude to Mitch's lady friends. It seems no one ever will be good enough for Mitch. When Mitch walks Melanie out to her car they both notice large migration of gulls; and find it odd. Melanie return's back to Anne's they both get to talking and Melanie finds out Anne is originally from San Francisco. Anne relocated to Boydega Bay because of Mitch. They were an item four years ago, but Lydia coudn't stand it. To Lydia Anne just wasn't good enough, but now the two get along great. That night Mitch calls Melanie and invites her to Cathy's birthday party . While they are are talking a loud crash is heard at the front door.They notice that a gull has crashed through the door The next day at the party, everything seems fine until a flock of seagulls start to attack. Everyone flees into the house until it's safe to come out. That night at the Brenner's bird's fly into the house and create chaos. The birds seem more aggressive and decide to report the incident to the authorities. The next day Melanie goes to check on Cathy at the school. While she is waiting she notices a large number of crows perching. She goes inside the school and warns Anne. They decide to get the kids out quietly, when they start to leave the birds viciously attack, then leave. Most flee downtown and Melanie arrives at the Tides restaurant. Melanie makes an urgent call to her father on what happened and tells him she will not be able to come home right away.Then a conversation begins about birds behavior, some believe it's the sign of the end of the world. When Mitch arrives to get Melanie, One patron blames Melanie, because the attacks happened when she arrived. All seems calm at the moment, then the attacks start back up. The birds begin to attack the downtown area creating chaos , which leads to car crashes, explosions, and people stuck in businesses, E.T.C..When they have an opportunity, Mitch and Melanie leave to get Cathy At Anne's. While walking they notice a large number of crows, gulls by the schoolhouse. They also notice that Anne was killed protecting Cathy when they ran outside to see the explosion. Once home Mitch starts to board up the house. On the radio the attack is mentioned, but no explanation is given. For the moment they believe they are safe, but the birds begin to attack the house. Mitch has to quickly find furniture to keep them out. Meanwhile Melanie hears a sound upstairs. When she goes upstairs she opens the door to one of the bedrooms. There she discovers the birds have pecked their way in. She is viciously attacked and later is found by Mitch who has also been attacked by them. He brings her downstairs to treat her. Melanie is still in defensive mode thinking she is still being attacked. While bandaging her up they realize she needs to get to a hospital. Mitch has to brave the outside to get the car. He carefully gets the car out of the garage then goes back to get Cathy, Lydia, and Melanie. To Mitch this seems like the best time to leave, the birds seem calm. In the end, They leave and hundreds of birds are seen all over in the closing scene. In conclusion, The Birds is a true classic. It's a movie that makes you think about bird behavior; and birds that gather on a wire. It a horror film that hold wee; but his best will always be P-S-Y-C-H-O.
Donnamarie567 I have always vaguely heard about The Birds. But to be honest it sounded a little weird to me, so I always skipped it. After my sister told me how terrified she was from it and nothing else being on tv, i decided to watch it. Boy, was i wrong!!! Not only did this movie scare the crap out of me, i was on the edge of my seat until the very end. I have loved scary movies for as long as I can remember and it takes ALOT to scare me. Well this movie no doubt did it! I was more into the cult horrors and Halloween than Hitchcock, but after watching this movie I will be searching to see what other classics i have snottily overlooked. I only wish the ending cleared up some questions... such as WHY????? (only reason for the 9) But then again i guess thats his style..... If i'm wrong, please don't bother correcting me, its simply a guess =)Bottom line.... I highly recommend this movie, even if its something you really do not think you will like.