I like Alfred Hitchcock movies. They are well-made. They make me think. They offer insights into the condition of fallen humanity. And best of all, they are memorable. Here is my list of favorite Hitchcock films. (Four out of the six feature James Stewart, so I guess you can tell who I like as an actor.)
#6. TORN CURTAIN
This 1966 film was a departure from Hitchcock’s standard fare. It features espionage and political thrills instead of his usual suspense. Julie Andrews and Paul Newman are fantastic in their roles. The jazzy soundtrack is memorable also. I like this one because it is pro-American, anti-Communist, and filled with political intrigue.
#5. ROPE
This is not a movie that one “enjoys” in the normal sense. But I love how the truth that “Ideas Have Consequences” comes through so loud and clear. From a technical standpoint, the movie is of interest because it is filmed with one camera and the camera never breaks away. It is in “real time.” The film is based on a true story, and the entire narrative leads to the climax when when the teacher (played by Jimmy Stewart) realizes that the ideas he has taught his students have had deadly consequences.
#4. SHADOW OF A DOUBT
A psychological thriller that is brilliantly paced and acted. It is the slow build of suspense and subtlety that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering about the characters, second-guessing yourself, and ever-more curious about who the bad guy is.
#3. REAR WINDOW
Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly are terrific in this movie, as are many of the supporting characters whose stories we come to know merely by seeing and hearing them from a distance. Virtually all of the action (from the camera’s point of view) takes place in a single room. You can “feel” what it is like to be an invalid. The suspense builds and builds until it arrives at an unforgettable scene.
#2. THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Hitchcock made two versions of this movie. One came out in 1934 and the other in 1956. I prefer the later version, probably because it stars Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day. This is a movie that is beautiful to watch. The scenery and the use of color evoke both the excitement and fear of being far from home.
#1. VERTIGO
Vertigo is Hitchcock’s masterpiece. From start to finish, it is a classic work of art. Kim Novak’s talent is displayed by her dual role. Jimmy Stewart is older, but he is as talented as ever as he conveys his character’s insecurity and fear of heights with subtle intensity. The film features a twist that is more surprising than those in M. Night Shymalan’s movies, and it’s for good reason that critics now hail it as the greatest movie ever made, ahead of Citizen Kane. If you pick one of these five to rent, choose this one! (See my review of Vertigo in World Magazine here.)