The Trouble with Rollie

(A review of 9 Hitchcock films by moi)

Hello! After seeing 'Vertigo' on Monday for the first time, I thought I'd review all the Hitchcock films I've seen, and rank them! We've only ever watched 2 Hitchcock films on film nights but he is one of my favourite directors and a couple of his films are some of my all time favourites! Without further ado...

9. A Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

Most disappointing Hitchcock film to date, unengaging and drawn out. The story revolves around an uncle who comes to visit his niece, who begins to suspect he has committed murder. The whole film is boring up until the end sequence, which you can see coming a mile off.

8. Rebecca (1940)

Another one that falls a bit flat but it's hard to see why. There's too many irrelevant scenes and too little of the really effective hauntingly beautiful/scary scenes of Rebecca/the previous wife in the mansion. Rebecca's psychotic maid really is a scary character and there are many disturbing things about this film, but sadly, although an odd film, isn't one of Hitchcock's best.

7. Rear Window (1954)

Hitchcock's supposed masterpiece - for me, disappointing. It's look into human privacy is interesting but the film itself is boring and the romance is unnecessary. Thrilling, but not that thrilling.

6. The Birds (1963)

Typical Hitchcock and one of his few films (perhaps as well as Psycho) that can be actually considered a horror film. Terror left and right and the film provides no explanation which makes it even more terrifying. The story is about a woman who follows an attractive man to a small town, but this subplot is soon forgotten when birds attack the town, killing the residents. Very suspenseful, so many times you think something scary is about to happen, but it never does, which actually improves the films quality.

5. Veritgo (1958)

A private detective spies on his friends wife who he says is becoming possessed by an old family spirit. My latest viewing and a mixed bag - the first half of the film is great, a brilliant story, well filmed and a great score too. Something very different too, especially the dream sequences and clever ghost story. However the second half of the film feels sloppy and is slightly boring. I just really didn't like the ending. Overall though, quite enjoyable but quite overrated.

4. The Trouble with Harry (1955)

The only trouble with this film is that Harry is dead - but seriously, there's not much wrong with this film, one of Hitchcock's few dark comedies. In a small town, Harry is found dead, and somehow everyone in the town thinks that they killed him...Very funny, quick paced and mysterious, this comedy surpasses a lot of Hitchcock's more serious films for me.

3. Rope (1948)

A very short film, made to look like it was shot in completely one shot and also filmed in real time. It's about two friends who kill their college classmate and their attempts to 'perfect' the crime by having people round for tea with the body hidden in the dining room. With lots of hidden symbolism and motifs and a homosexual undercurrent, Rope is both extremely enjoyable but also very clever.

2. Dial 'M' for Murder (1954)

The story of a man who hires a hitman to kill his wife who has to come up with a Plan B when the murder goes wrong. Grace Kelly are brilliant in this brilliant dramatic thriller, so intriguing and engaging, every little detail you're listening to, and its just so unbelievably clever. A clever twist on a whodunnit story, it's almost reversed. An extremely memorable film and one of my favourite films.

1. Psycho (1960)

A young girl travels to a motel. I think most people know the rest and I think you knew this would be my number 1! Just everything about it I love, Marion and Norman are such interesting and amazing characters, the screeching score, the set, the story, the lines and subplot, the twist, even little scenes such as Marion seeing her boss as she's fleeing town and giving him a terrified embarrassed smile make the film. My favourite film, probably ever.

Ollie x