The Birds
The Birds is a 1963 American natural horror-thriller film produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, released by Universal Pictures and starring Jessica Tandy, Rod Taylor, Suzanne Pleshette, and introducing Tippi Hedren in her film debut. Loosely based on the 1952 short story of the same name by Daphne du Maurier, it focuses on a series of sudden and unexplained violent bird attacks on the people of Bodega Bay, California, over the course of a few days. The screenplay is by Evan Hunter, who was told by Hitchcock to develop new characters and a more elaborate plot while keeping du Maurier's title and concept of unexplained bird attacks.
Plot
At a San Francisco pet store, socialite Melanie Daniels meets lawyer Mitch Brenner, who wants to buy lovebirds for his sister Cathy's 11th birthday. Recognizing Melanie from her court appearance regarding a practical joke gone awry, Mitch pretends to mistake her for a shop employee. Mitch tests Melanie's knowledge of birds, which she fails. He discloses his prior knowledge of her and leaves without buying anything. Intrigued, Melanie buys the lovebirds and drives to Bodega Bay after learning Mitch has gone to his family's farm for the weekend. Melanie is directed to a teacher at Bodega, Annie Hayworth, to learn Cathy's name. Annie is Mitch’s ex-lover, but their relationship ended due to his overbearing mother, Lydia, who dislikes any woman in Mitch's life.
Awards
Cast
- Alfred Hitchcock
- Bill Quinn
- Charles McGraw
- Dallas McKennon
- Darlene Conley
- Doodles Weaver
- Doreen Lang
- Elizabeth Wilson
- Ethel Griffies
- Jeannie Russell
- Jessica Tandy
- Joe Mantell
- Karl Swenson
- Lonny Chapman
- Malcolm Atterbury
- Morgan Brittany
- Richard Deacon
- Rod Taylor
- Ruth McDevitt
- Suzanne Pleshette
- Tippi Hedren
- Veronica Cartwright
More details
| author | Daphne du Maurier Evan Hunter |
|---|---|
| award | Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress |
| contentLocation | California San Francisco |
| director | Alfred Hitchcock |
| editor | George Tomasini |
| genre | horror social thriller |
| keywords | american crow american sparrow attack bird attack birthday party build buy car radio chimney claim crow discover drive escalate even exaggerated family home gas station attendant gasoline go awry gull head wound injured jungle gym kill learn lovebird major trauma morning overbearing mother pet store practical joke psychological trauma relationship end run sparrow telephone booth their way traumatize troubled past |
| musicBy | Bernard Herrmann |
| nomination | Academy Award for Best Visual Effects |
| producer | Alfred Hitchcock |
| productionCompany | Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions |
| publisher | Universal Pictures |
| recordedAt | Bodega California San Francisco |