The Birds
The Birds is a 1963 American natural horror film produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, released by Universal Pictures and starring Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, 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
In 1963, 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. Mitch recognizes Melanie from her court appearance regarding a practical joke gone awry and pretends to mistake her for a shop employee. He tests Melanie's knowledge of birds, which she fails, then discloses his knowledge of her and leaves.
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 | action adventure horror social thriller |
| keywords | american crow american sparrow attack bird attack birthday party build car radio chimney crow discover drive escalate even exaggerated family home gas station attendant gasoline go awry gull injured jungle gym kill learn lovebird major trauma morning overbearing mother pet store practical joke psychological trauma relationship end run socialite sparrow telephone booth their way trap traumatize troubled past wound |
| 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 |