The Birds (1963)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Stars: Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy
Runtime: 119 minutes

Performances: 7/10
Screenplay: 7/10
Special Effects: N.A.
Costumes/Makeup: 6/10
Editing: 8/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: N.A.

Verdict: "The Birds", based on a novelette by Daphne Du Maurier, is the story of Melanie, played by Tippi Hedren, who while visiting a small town in the hopes of meeting Mitch, portrayed by Rod Taylor, finds herself in the middle of bizarre events as birds start attacking the residents of that same town. The movie was directed by the master of suspense himself, Sir Alfred Hitchcock. This 1963 flick might not be as brilliant as some of his earlier work (Psycho, Vertigo, North by Northwest...), mostly because of some performances and special effects that feel sometimes dated (but were nonetheless nominated for an Oscar that year), and an ending that a lot of people, me included, will find frustrating. However, "The Birds" is still a Hitchcock movie, and you can feel it during the masterfully directed tense scenes, where he manages to scare the audience with something as common and innocent as a bird chirp. If like me, you're a fan of the British director, this movie is a must for the horror elements alone. But if you've never seen a Hitchcock picture, and doesn't really know which one to watch first, I'd suggest starting somewhere else. 

Final Grade: 7/10