The Films of Alfred Hitchcock (1993) by David Sterritt
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| David Sterritt | |
| Cambridge Film Classics | |
| Cambridge University Press (1993) | |
| ISBN 0521398142 | |
| LibraryThing | |
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Synopsis
The introduction gives an overview of Hitchcock's long career, with special attention to the varied influences on his work; themes that run through many of his films, from the 'transference of guilt', to the connection between knowledge and danger; the overlooked importance of his presence within his films, including his famous cameo appearances and characters who represent him within the story; his fascination with performance and the ambiguities of illusion and reality; the question of viewing him and his work through the auteur theory; and other issues. Also discussed is the relationship between Hitchcock as a serious, even tormented artist and Hitchcock as a magician with a weakness for cinematic practical jokes. Six chapters then provide in-depth examinations of key films: Blackmail, his first talkie; Shadow of a Doubt, one of his personal favourites; The Wrong Man, which questions the nature of guilt and innocence; Vertigo, arguably his most profound work; Psycho, his most savage look at the nature of evil; and The Birds, his last masterpiece and one of his most widely misunderstood works.
Reviews
- Hitchcock Annual (1994) - The Films of Alfred Hitchcock
- Film Quarterly (1994) - The Films of Alfred Hitchcock
- Journal of Popular Film & Television (1997) - The Films of Alfred Hitchcock
