Rating: 
Summary: Am I the only one annoyed by the ending?
Review: I've read some of the other reviews on here, and from what I've seen NO ONE has complained about the horrible ending. Why? Because there is no ending!! Hitchcock usually manages to find a way to explain everything in his movies. In Psycho the Psychiatrist told the whole story; in Vertigo it was all revealed in the end and in Rear Window the crime is solved. But The Birds' unfinished ending was HORRIBLE. If you're a person who needs closure (like me) this is not the movie for you.Some who have NOT seen the movie, may be bothered by my revealing the movie's lack of ending. But I promise that I'm giving NOTHING away. Even if I sat here and told you the whole ending it detail, you wouldn't believe me and would have to check it out for yourself. So don't worry. I am spoiling nothing. (Because there is nothing to spoil!!)
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but it didn¿t totally fly.
Review: As usual for a legendary Alfred Hitchcock film, 'The Birds" plays on the emotions of fear. After bumping into a handsome bachelor in a pet-store, Megan Daniels (Tippi Hedren) follows Mitch Brenner to his hometown of Bodega Bay with a gift of two love-birds. The title features a play on words: the two love-birds that Megan brings to Bodega Bay mirror Megan and Mitch as love-birds. The romantic interest is certainly an element of the plot, as Megan and Mitch are forced to combine their resources against a common enemy. The human romance is somewhat simplistic and largely based on initial physical attraction, but is actually a minor element in the plot. But the real interest is in the birds of the feathered kind, and their conflict with mankind. The arrival of Megan and the love-birds in Bodega Bay coincides with a growing attack by birds of all kinds on humans. The first ominous sign comes when a lone sea-gull attacks Megan, and then a flock attacks a group of children at a birthday party. Soon the residents of Bodega Bay are fighting for their lives against waves of bird attacks. The movie begins slowly with comedy, with a gradual suspenseful build-up typical of Hitchcock that ends up in fear and terror. Slowly the suspense increases, with moments of high drama accompanied by spine-tingling silence. The only thing disappointing is the rather open and sudden ending, as Mitch and Megan drive away from a house surrounded by birds. The ending leaves plenty of room for discussion, but is somewhat unsatisfying because it leaves open too many unanswered questions, such as what caused the strange behaviour of the birds in the first place, and what happened once the car got beyond the driveway. Part of this is deliberate, with Hitchcock leaving the reason for the attacks unexplained to increase the sense of fear in the real world. An alternate and lengthier ending was considered with a car chase showing the havoc in the town, but was never filmed. Perhaps the ending owes its abruptness in part to the fact that the story line is based on a short story by Daphne Du Maurier, adapted by Evan Hunter. Admittedly, the movie throws away virtually everything from the original story (a highly recommended read by the way!) except the title, the notion of birds attacking people, and the mood of fear. But Du Maurier's he original concept is brilliant: the idea of bird attacks makes the predictable unpredictable and challenges our complacency. In many subtle ways the sense of fear grows and is increased by the production - such as one memorable instance when Megan is seated on a bench not realizing that flocks of birds are gathering behind her, whereas the audience is fully aware of this fact. Instead of using a musical soundtrack, Hitchcock employed electronic sounds to simulate the chirping of birds and fluttering of wings, to heighten the effect of attack and fear. The movie was outstanding for its time because of the technical difficulties in shooting superimposed images of birds on an existing film. This was cutting edge technology in its day, and was pulled off very successfully. Moreover, because there were no computer tricks possible, the producers had to use cardboard cutouts, paintings, puppets, artificial birds, mechanical birds, and trained birds. Considering the limitations imposed by the technology of the day, "The Birds" is a remarkable contribution to the world of movies, and another great feather in Hitchcock's cap. But it can hardly be regarded as his best, and there are undoubtedly better movies both by Hitchcock and others. Definitely worth a look, but once is probably enough.
Rating: 
Summary: The Birds
Review: The Birds is a good movie. I like the part at the end when the birds are attacking Tippi Hedren. It was one of the best Alfred Hithcock movies ever made. I watched this movie about 3 years ago and it literally scared me away from birds. I was so freaked out, I couldn't go near any birds for weeks. The only complaint I have (and it may seem minor to some of you) but I think it looks a little out-dated. I mean, come on, who wears their hair in the same style as Tippi Hedren now a days? All in all, a good movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Magnificent
Review: This DVD celebrates Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds' with an excellent transfer & a delightful & absorbing array of special features. In a word: Magnificent. The only additional comment is the recommendation that viewers enjoy the brilliant & insightful book Camille Paglia devoted to this cinematic triumph.
Rating:
Summary: Here come the birds!
Review: This Hitchcock thriller stars Tippi Hedren as a snooty socialite who meets a dapper lawyer (Rod Taylor) in San Francisco. The action soon moves to his hometown up the coast, where Tippi is inexplicably attacked by seagulls. Soon, the whole town is beseiged by murderous birds. Several people, including schoolteacher Suzanne Pleshette, are killed by birds.
The reason for the attacks is never given; we are left to wonder: Was it because Hedren's character bought caged lovebirds? We'll never know, but it is amazingly scary (especially when you note there is no musical soundtrack--only the menacing flapping of bird wings). Hedren and Taylor are good together; you'll be on the edge of your seat with this one!
Rating:
Summary: When Animals Attack
Review: THE BIRDS, is another classic from "The Master Of Suspense", director Alfred Hitchcock....In pursuit of an eligible bachelor, Melanie Daniels ("Tippi" Hedren) makes her way to Bodega Bay. You see, she has learned that Mitch Brenner, (Rod Taylor) lives there. After a chance encounter on the mainland, she decides to find him so that they can get to know one another better. However, upon her arrival to the town by the sea, she is attacked by a seagull for no reason. At first, the town's citizens dismiss her story, but as more and more folks are attacked, the community is put under seige from thousands of birds. The film is loosely based upon a short story by Daphne Du Maurier. While the film may not have the perfect setup, the middle and end of the movie, are quite memorable. Sure, the F/X are not as good by today's standards, but the underlying fear created in the film still remains pretty much intact. The attack scene that stands out for is the one that involves a vehicle, leaking gas, a live wire, and of course an attacking flock of birds. Hitchcock staged the scene with great timing and top notch film editing in mind. The supporting cast is memorable as well. It includes Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette, and a very young Veronica Cartwright (from Ridley Scott's 1979 film ALIEN) as Cathy. The "Collector's Edition DVD has some great extras on it. There is an outstanding retrospectuive documentary with cast/crew interviews. This feature runs for over an hour and will give you complete insight into how the film was made. There is also a wealth of archival footage from the film's initial theatrical release. While it's no PSYCHO, THE BIRDS ranks up there as another classic from Hitchcock. So with great extras, this disc is highly recommended, both for fans of Hitchcock and the film
Rating:
Summary: Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds
Review: Boy, am I gonna get it for this review. After watching yet another AFI Top 100 Whatever Films of All Time, I realized I had never seen "The Birds." I think Hitchcock's best film was "Rear Window," his worst "Topaz," and I can safely place this above "Topaz." Tippi Hedren plays Melanie (and her daughter is Melanie Griffith, see the connection?), a spoiled newspaper owner's daughter. She sees attorney Rod Taylor in a pet store looking for lovebirds for his eleven year old sister. She pretends to work at the store and tries to help him, he is on to her and pretends to be helped. Taylor calls her bluff and leaves, and Hedren takes down his license number and buys the lovebirds for him anyway, hoping to surprise him. She goes to his apartment, but he is in Bodega Bay for the weekend, so she drives up with the dang birds. She goes to his house, walks in the front door, leaves the birds and a note for the little sister, then leaves. Let's pause. Hedren's character is a criminal, a pathological liar, and a stalker. This may have been 1964's way of meeting cute and falling in love, but today I found Hedren's pursuit a little discomforting. The entire love angle here is so forced, I felt a little ill. Taylor finds Hedren and pursues her back to Bodega Bay. Hedren again lies about why she is there, saying she is visiting Suzanne Pleshette, a local school teacher she met when she came into town. I check my rental receipt, making sure I rented the right video, since the only bird attack so far was Hedren getting conked on the head by a gull, and that was not hard enough to satisfy me. Hedren stays with Pleshette, who also fell for Taylor years before. Taylor goes home to cold as ice mom Jessica Tandy, worlds away from "Driving Miss Daisy." Veronica Cartwright plays the little sister...I finally recognized her as an adult in such fare as "Inserts" and "The Witches of Eastwick." Eventually, the birds begin attacking. Poor special effects also begin to attack. There is one good scene where Taylor's home is attacked by wrens or something, but the scene goes on way too long as the actors unconvincingly dodge birds that are not there. The silliest scene involves the attack at the school. I know Hitchcock hated location filming, and it shows. The children are running in place against a back screen process while shots of birds are superimposed over that. Very poor effects that made me laugh more than anything. We also get questionable scenes where the citizens of the small town do not believe Hedren and Taylor's stories of the attacking birds, never mind the house attack, a neighbor is killed by birds, and the school is attacked. Anyone who has ever been in a small town knows the opposite would be true. Pleshette is eventually killed, ridding us of the only likeable character, and the cast board themselves up in the house for the final onslaught. Tandy starts going a little hysterical, too. Most of the cast at this point makes special mention of the fact that they do not know why the birds are attacking. If one person says it, fine. But when at least half a dozen cast members say it at least half a dozen times, I figured Hitchcock was pandering to an audience that did have legitimate questions about why. Especially after the tacked on explanation about Norman's behavior that almost ruined "Psycho." Curious viewers want to know. The movie ends on an unsatisfying note, as the cast drives off with birds all around, and I was stumped. The film just has no point. There are some creepy shots, like the beaks pecking through the door at the house, and some beautiful shots of the sunset, but the special effects here are pretty awful. Just because Hitchcock directed it should not be an excuse. Rod Taylor, Tandy, Pleshette, and Cartwright are fine, but Hedren's character is so weird, and she does not play it well. She is often stiff, and her scenes where she is in shock after a bird attack is again unintentionally funny. "The Birds" just does not deserve the praise it has received over the years. Hitchcock was a genius with the camera, but often he picked some poor scripts to do ("Family Plot," anyone?). The interior scenes with back screening, and the poor special effects ruin what should have been a good film. I cannot recommend "The Birds." This was rated (PG13) for physical violence and gore.
Rating:
Summary: Frightening Movie!
Review: Without question this is an all time Alfred Hitchcock classic
movie. The actor,Rod Taylor and the heroine Tippi Hedrin play
their roles to the hilt. When the blonde Hedren travels to a coastal town to pursue Taylor the area is subjected to savage
attacks by hordes of birds.The birds kill many citizens of the
town.The special effects that are employed in the attacks by the
birds are outstanding.The birds display a killer instinct. Taylor and Hedrin are forced to flee for their lives from the attacking hordes of birds.Their safety is in peril throughout
the entire movie.This is a classic movie. If you have never seen it you should. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic -- Never Get Tired Of Watching It
Review: The Birds is a fabulous movie. I enjoy it more each time I watch it. The movie is made up of a web of discrete scenes -- like the pieces of a puzzle. Tippi Hedren is beautiful and captivating. The restaurant scene with Mrs Bundy (Ethel Griffies) is excellent. So many horror movies focus so much on "gore" -- this is one is much more subtle. And as the movie progresses, and even after it is over, you are not exactly sure how it all fits together. (A more recent example of this type of movie I think is The Blair Witch Project.) If you are looking for a movie that is predictable, and ties everything up neatly at the end, this is not for you. If you are looking for wonderful acting, captivating characters, and a suspense and intriguing plot -- then you will enjoy this movie!
Rating:
Summary: Flight Into Terror
Review: After having basically drawn up the blueprint for the modern horror film in 1960 with PSYCHO, Alfred Hitchcock took another step into the macabre with his 1963 thriller THE BIRDS. In spite of the advancements made in special effects and computer graphics in the nearly forty years since it was originally released, THE BIRDS still manages to be extremely convincing in its own way, and terrifying as well... Rarely in the horror film genre has there ever been a film as low-key on the acting side that at the same time has ever been this strikingly well made. This was almost certainly what Hitchcock had in mind when he and screenwriter Evan Hunter adapted the Daphne Du Maurier story upon which THE BIRDS is based. The general low-key tone of acting is in keeping with the film's approach, which is cold, clinical, and deeply unsettling. THE BIRDS is also claimed by science fiction film fans as one of their own, but at no time does Hitchcock offer any real explanation, scientific or otherwise, for the birds' attacks. But there is clearly a great deal of psychological tension, and this is far more disturbing than any long-winded explanations of any kind. Featuring Oscar-nominated special effects work from Ub Iwerks, Ray Berwick (who trained the birds), and Lawrence Hampton, along with pictorial designs by master effects artist Albert Whitlock, THE BIRDS has proven to be every bit as influential on the horror genre as PSYCHO, though in a different way. One can see the influence of this film's final sequence on films like NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and STRAW DOGS, where homes come under violent nighttime sieges. Even better, one can clearly see the influence this film has had on Steven Spielberg, whose two suspense masterpieces DUEL and JAWS clearly owe a debt to the Master. If one can get past the film's age, and the arguably dated special effects work, one is left with one of the most brilliant and chilling horror movies of all times. It is rated 'PG-13' for scenes of tension and slightly bloody violence, but it is yet one more masterpiece in Hitchcock's lengthy and distinguished canon.
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