The Birds

We are going to take it WAY back today friends. All the way back to 1963 to be exact. In honor of All Hallow's Eve approaching the local theater has decided to do an Alfred Hitchcock series in the month of October. Calling it Retro Cinema (which I personally think is a most fantastic idea!). Well last week was the first of 5 films by the legendary Hitchcock to be shown, and they started with the iconic movie "The Birds". What stunned me even more than the theater taking this leap in cinematic history was the fact that hardly anyone I asked to go with me to see it had even heard of the movie!! This is a travesty folks. I was bound and determined to see this great film on the big screen....thank goodness my friend Elizabeth is a huge Hitchcock fan. Even to the point of owning the movie on DVD and having read the novel. Oh yes, she was an acceptable date for this evening of throwback. 

One of the things I look for most in movies is believability. The story could be super out there and include aliens and witches, however, if the movie is made well and can make me believe it.....I'm in! Even with effects not being at their peak at this point in our film history, this story of birds is truly disturbing. The concept that birds, who are usually quit passive and harmless, could turn and suddenly have a dark side and begin to attack.....is totally believable! With their mass numbers and shear strength, they could take out whole towns, as witnessed in this movie. The film follows a socialite, who let's face it, is a compulsive liar, spoiled brat, and has no concept of other peoples privacy. She tracks down this hunky guy who calls her out on her bullshit to this small town where all the horror goes down. I do have to say, I miss the vocabulary used in older films. As stated in the GIF above, she tells the hunk "I loathe you" and earlier in the film he tells her he wants birds who won't be "aloof"......who uses the word "aloof" anymore?!!! This word is highly underused people, we need to bring it back to life. 

Moving on. There are multiple points in the movie that will truly creep you out. For one, the playground scene pictured above. When all of the crows are perched on the equipment, just waiting for movement so they can attack. It is pretty sinister. The scene where all the sparrows flood the house while swarming out of the fireplace. And who could forget the phone booth scene. While our leading lady is desperately trying to shield herself from a sudden attack by hiding in a glass phone booth (for all you young ones out there. Before cell phones if you were away from home you had to make calls from a public telephone, Some were housed in giant glass boxes), she witnesses even more horror at the destruction these birds are causing. Now sure, there are other horror movies about killer clowns that make you not ever want to go to the circus again.......but every time I see 10 or more birds on a wire, I must admit, I get a little nervous. And birds are everywhere!! Clowns are not. So I must conclude.....

Alfred Hitchcock for the win.