Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE (August 13, 1899 – April 29, 1980), was an English director and producer. Labeled as the "Master of Suspense", he became known for thrillers, often combined with a dark sense of humor. After a successful career in his native country, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood in 1939. Over a career spanning more than half a century, Hitchcock fashioned for himself a distinctive and recognizable directorial style. He pioneered the use of a camera made to move in a way that mimics a person's gaze, forcing viewers to engage in a form of voyeurism. He framed shots to maximize anxiety, fear, or empathy, and used innovative film editing. His stories frequently feature fugitives on the run from the law alongside icy blonde female characters. Many of Hitchcock's films have twist endings and thrilling plots featuring depictions of violence, murder, and crime, although many of the mysteries function as decoys —or MacGuffins— meant only to serve thematic elements in the film and the extremely complex psychological examinations of the characters. Hitchcock's films also borrow many themes from psychoanalysis and feature strong sexual undertones. Through his cameo appearances in his own films, interviews, film trailers, and the television program Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955-1965), he became a cultural icon.
Hitchcock is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In 2002, Hitchcock was ranked 2nd behind Orson Welles in the critics' top ten poll in the list of The Greatest Directors of All Time compiled by the Sight & Sound magazine. Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929–1968 included him in the "pantheon" of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States.
Hitchcock's critically most acclaimed film is the psychological thriller film Vertigo (1958). Although being a mild failure upon its release, it has risen in popularity over the decades. In 2012 it even replaced Orson Welles' Citizen Kane as the greatest film ever made in the Sight & Sound critics' poll. Regarding visual style, Vertigo is often declared as Hitchcock's most perfect film. The use of color symbolism, meticulously composed shots, and the famous "Vertigo effect" (dolly zoom) continue to be studied and admired.
Hitchcock's most commercially successful and most famous film is Psycho (1960), which had a significant impact on the horror genre, especially the slasher film. Hitchcock was able to prove his skills with the mystery thriller film Rear Window (1954), to create suspense within a confined setting - primarily the protagonist's apartment. In this film, voyeurism, one of Hitchcock's favorite subjects, is an essential aspect.
Many of Hitchcock's spy films, most notably North by Northwest (1959) and Notorious (1946), had a major impact on the Mission: Impossible and James Bond series.
Acted in
Becoming Hitchcock: The Legacy of Blackmail
2024
as Self (archive footage)
Hitchcock's Pro-Nazi Film?
2023
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My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock
2023
as Self (archive footage)
Kim Novak: Hollywood's Golden Age Rebel
2023
as Self (archive footage)
Grace Kelly – Hollywoods tragische Prinzessin
2022
as Self (archive footage)
Normandie ne partira pas ce soir
2021
I Am Alfred Hitchcock
2021
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Her Name Was Grace Kelly
2021
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Tales of the Uncanny
2020
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When Hitchcock Met O'Casey
2019
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When Hitchcock met O'Casey
2019
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Hitchcock Confidential
2019
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Hitch x 4
2018
as Himself
Mais qui a tué Alfred Hitchcock?
2018
as Himself
78/52
2017
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Dark Glamour: The Blood and Guts of Hammer Productions
2017
as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story
2017
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German Concentration Camps Factual Survey
2017
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Hitchcock/Truffaut
2015
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Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words
2015
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Night Will Fall
2014
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Documenting John Grierson
2014
What Is Cinema?
2013
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Talking Pictures
2013
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The Psycho Legacy
2010
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The Master's Touch: Hitchcock's Signature Style
2009
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Once Upon a Time... 'Notorious'
2009
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Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of Hitchcock
2008
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Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock
2008
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In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy
2008
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Hitchcock in the News
2008
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The Pervert's Guide to Cinema
2006
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Grace Kelly: Destiny of a Princess
2006
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The Making of 'Psycho'
2005
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Alfred Hitchcock: The Early Years
2004
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Hitchcock and Dial M
2004
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Alfred Hitchcock And To Catch A Thief: An Appreciation
2002
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Writing And Casting To Catch A Thief
2002
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Topaz: An Appreciation by Film Critic/Historian Leonard Maltin
2001
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Plotting 'Family Plot'
2001
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'The Trouble with Harry' Isn't Over
2001
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'Rear Window' Ethics: Remembering and Restoring a Hitchcock Classic
2001
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The Story of 'Frenzy'
2001
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Destination Hitchcock: The Making of 'North by Northwest'
2000
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The Trouble with 'Marnie'
2000
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All About 'The Birds'
2000
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The Making of 'The Man Who Knew Too Much'
2000
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Hitchcock: The Early Years
1999
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Monsieur Truffaut Meets Mr. Hitchcock
1999
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Hitchcock, Selznick and the End of Hollywood
1999
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Shirley Maclaine: Kicking Up Her Heels
1996
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The Universal Story
1996
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Ingrid Bergman Remembered
1996
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Hitchcock: Alfred the Great
1994
as Himself (Archival Footage)
Tales from the Crypt
1989
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Cary Grant: A Celebration of a Leading Man
1988
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Gregory Peck: His Own Man
1988
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The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1985
The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1985
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Memory of the Camps
1985
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The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1985
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Terror in the Aisles
1984
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Family Plot
1976
as Silhouette at Office of Vital Statistics (uncredited)
The Men Who Made the Movies
1973
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The Men Who Made the Movies: Alfred Hitchcock
1973
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The Illustrated Hitchcock
1972
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Masters Of Cinema - Alfred Hitchcock
1972
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Frenzy
1972
as Spectator at Opening Rally (uncredited)
Midi trente
1972
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Hitchcock at the N.F.T.
1969
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Topaz
1969
as Man in Wheelchair (uncredited)
The Movie Orgy
1968
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Mondo Hollywood
1967
Torn Curtain
1966
as Man in Hotel Lobby with Baby (uncredited)
Cinema: Alfred Hitchcock
1966
as Himself
Marnie
1964
as Man Leaving Hotel Room (uncredited)
A Talk with Hitchcock
1964
as Self
The Birds
1963
as Pet Store Customer (uncredited)
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
1962
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The Children of Alda Nuova
1962
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Hollywood: The Selznick Years
1961
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The Man Who Found the Money
1960
as self (host)
Psycho
1960
as Man Outside Office (uncredited)
North by Northwest
1959
as Man Who Misses Bus (uncredited)
Human Interest Story
1959
as host (self)
Vertigo
1958
as Man Walking Past Elster's Office (uncredited)
The Wrong Man
1956
as Prologue Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
The Man Who Knew Too Much
1956
as Man in Marrakesh Marketplace (uncredited)
The Trouble with Harry
1955
as Passer-by (uncredited)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
as Self - Host
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
as Self - Interviewee
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
as Self (archive footage)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
To Catch a Thief
1955
as Man Sitting Next to John Robie on Bus (uncredited)
Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid
1955
as Self - Host
Rear Window
1954
as Clock-Winder in Songwriter's Apartment (uncredited)
Dial M for Murder
1954
as Banquet Member (uncredited)
Reflets de Cannes
1954
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The Oscars
1953
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I Confess
1953
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Strangers on a Train
1951
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Lux Video Theatre
1950
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Stage Fright
1950
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What's My Line?
1950
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Under Capricorn
1949
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Rope
1948
as Man Walking in Street After Opening Credits (uncredited)
Notorious
1946
as Man Drinking Champagne at Party (uncredited)
Spellbound
1945
as Man Leaving Elevator (uncredited)
Show-Business at War
1943
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Shadow of a Doubt
1943
as Man on Train Playing Cards (uncredited)
Saboteur
1942
as Man in Front of New York Drugstore (uncredited)
Suspicion
1941
as Man Mailing Letter (uncredited)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
1941
as Man Passing David Smith on Street (uncredited)
Foreign Correspondent
1940
as Man with Newspaper on Street (uncredited)
Rebecca
1940
as Man Outside Phone Booth (uncredited)
The Lady Vanishes
1938
as Man in London Railway Station (uncredited)
Young and Innocent
1937
as Photographer Outside Courthouse (uncredited)
Sabotage
1937
as Man Walking Past the Cinema as the Light Is Renewed
The 39 Steps
1935
as Man Walking Past Bus (uncredited)
The Man Who Knew Too Much
1934
as Man in Raincoat Passing Bus (uncredited)
Murder!
1930
as Man on Street (uncredited)
Blackmail
1929
as Man on Subway (uncredited)
Sound Test for Blackmail
1929
as Self (uncredited)
Easy Virtue
1928
as Man with Stick Near Tennis Court (uncredited)
The Ring
1927
as Man-Dipping Attraction Worker (uncredited)
The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog
1927
as Man in Newspaper Office (uncredited)
Hitchcock on Grierson
as Self