View Full Version : Hitchcock recommendations please
My wife has been after me to get a few Hitchcock films in and todays the day :D
I can remember some of his work from my younger days but can't claim to be up on his collection in truth. I am keen on the boxsets and some of the Criterions as I haven't really delved into the latter yet ;). Looking at Rewind and Michael Ds reviews it seems that it has to be R2/4 for the 1st Boxset and R1 for the 2nd. In terms of the Criterion collection I guess I should try and get their version above all others if funds allow :)
There are quite a few ;) to decide between and so I would appreciate a few pointers / recommendations form you guys before parting with the well-earned.
John Hodson
05-02-2002, 18:10
I cut & pasted this from a similar question some while ago, and it seems to me sage advice. Apologies to the original poster whose name now escapes me:
"The 39 Steps - Criterion (best transfer and tons of extras)
The Lady Vanishes - Criterion (OK transfer plus commentary)
Notorious - Criterion (best transfer and tons of extras)
Psycho - R1 has tons of extras (and I mean tons), R2 is anamorphic.
The Birds - R1, as R2 is allegedly cropped to 4:3
Marnie - R1, as R2 is allegedly cropped to 4:3
As far as I can see, Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Rope, Strangers On A Train, Rear Window, The Trouble With Harry, The Man Who Knew Too Much are pretty much identical regardless of region. "
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So many films, so little time...
<I>North By Northwest</i> is truly sublime in any region. http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif
I agree about North By Northwest, great film with an outstanding transfer.
I'm also fond of Rear Window and Vertigo.
I really must start working my way through his other films...
I say Rear Window C/E R1 and North By Northwest R2/R1 - superb films, superb extras and superbly restored. By them now.
Aardvark
05-02-2002, 19:50
Agree with all the above, but would also mention Young And Innocent. This always seems to get overshadowed by The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes but it's a smashing little film from Hitch's British years. You should be able to find it cheap. My Laserlight edition has a pretty good transfer.
And no-one's mentioned Strangers On A Train. Cracking movie. (oops, it was mentioned...)
And Frenzy. Much underrated. You'll never look at a sack of potatoes again without feeling a little queasy!
I'd avoid Trouble With Harry. A black comedy which didn't work.
Shaun666
05-02-2002, 20:19
By coincidence I've just finished watching North By Northwest. Should be in everyone's collection !
Yonathan Gal
05-02-2002, 21:47
I'm a BIG Hitchcock fan, my fav is Rear Window, closely followed by North by Northwest, and The Birds, 39 Steps, Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) etc are close behind!! :)
Tristan H
05-02-2002, 22:37
If you buy only one then get Rear Window. It's my personal favourite film of all time and is a truly sublime viewing experience. Utterly essential.
North By Northwest as others have said is also top rate and the DVD has one of the best restored transfers ever. Cary Grant is on top form and Eva Marie Saint is a fantastic Hitchcock blonde. Her scene in the train with Grant is stunning.
The 39 Steps can be picked up from Criterion or on the extremely good (and very cheap) Carlton R2 DVD. It's probably my favourite B&W Hitchcock film, just ahead of Notorious (on the Criterion label) and The Lady Vanishes (also Criterion).
Vertigo is often regarded as Hitch's finest film and I'd certainly rank it in the top 5 that he ever made. The combination of the excellent script, stunning locations, imaginative camera work, unforgettable score and James Stewart at his best make this another essential purchase. It has a fascinating commentary track with the film restorer Robert Harris and the charming Herbert Coleman (Hitch's assistant director for the film).
Contrary to a comment above, I actually would recommed The Trouble with Harry once you have a few of the more essential Hitchcocks. It may not be funny, but it's effortlessly charming and takes you back to a world of fantasy that really caught my imagination.
Others that I'd recommend:
Rope : Fascinating, if ultimately flawed film based in a single location and starring James Stewart. It's very similar to a play caught on film and was completed in very few takes. Hitch didn't like it, but I find it very interesting.
Shadow of a Doubt : One of Hitchcock's favourites. A black and white film with Joseph Cotten. It's pretty good, but lacks the edge of some of his later works and there is a lack of any on-screen love relationship that is often an essential part of Hitch's films.
Marnie : Flawed mainly by the utterly awful Tippi Hedren who is one of the coldest and generally unlikeable actresses I've ever seen. However, it's a fascinating story and Sean Connery is extremely good.
Frenzy : Probably the last good film that Hitchcock directed. It takes him back to London with a little known cast and a rather gritty storyline. Very entertaining though.
Also, Psycho , Rebecca , The Man Who Knew Too Much and The Birds are obviously worth looking at.
samuelowens
06-02-2002, 03:28
As well as some cheap Laserlights, my Hitchcock collection is as follows:
39 Steps (Criterion - CC)
Rebecca:CC
Notorious:CC
Rear Window
North by Northwest
Vertigo
Psycho (the R1 version is a must buy)
All are highly recommended. The Lady Vanishes is next on my wishlist. For a good cheapie, get Young and Innocent.
That's briliant guys - thank you all very much :)
I think I will go for R4 1st Boxset as it includes several of the ones mentioned and all are ok in R2/4 (with the exception of pyscho's extras) and maybe get 1 or 2 Criterions.
I'll let you know what I think but am sure I will be pleasantly surprised.
Thanks again :D
Do not buy the R2 or R4 Hitchcock boxsets - a large number of the films are NOT OAR!
Buy the US discs only for the Universal releases and the Criterions of whatever you can!
Cirrus888
06-02-2002, 11:11
Yeah don't be misled by the cheap prices a lot of R2/R4 hitchcocks are pan and scan!
You've got me worried now :confused:
Acording to rewind the films in the 1st box are all acceptable in region 2/4!
What does OAR mean anyway?
Someone tell me what to do :(
Originally posted by lorenzo
What does OAR mean anyway?
Original Aspect Ratio. ;)
I'm in the same dilema WRT which ones to get. TBH, I think the best sets are the R1 (correct AR, usually more features and added 'Hitchcock presents disc'), but they seem extremely expensive ! :(
There appears to be the usual 'aspects' about picture quality aswell, for example Vertigo is anormorphic in R2, but apparantly the colours have been 'altered'. :confused:
Oh well - being my typically impatient self I have just placed a wopping big R2 order at Play247 as they have some great deals on currently. I've even ordered some of the ones released by Criterion to 'test the waters' as they can be had for £7.99.
Nevertheless, I would still appreciate any advice fellow members can offer :)
Can anyone tell me more about the R4 box?? I am just itching to get it :D
samuelowens
06-02-2002, 22:11
Only the second R4 box set has films that are not OAR. The first set (black) is fine.
smithy20
07-02-2002, 00:12
Lorenzo said:-
I've even ordered some of the ones released by Criterion to 'test the waters' as they can be had for £7.99.
Where from? i cant' find any at that price
By the way if you like your comedy BLACK then DO get The Trouble With Harry it is brilliant-- reputedly to be Hitch's favoritew film after Shadow of a doubt.
smithy20 :) :) :) :)
I assume that he/she meant the same 'films' as the Hitchcock Criterions, not the Criterions themselves. They usually put them in the HMV sales for £5-7 each. For example, the 'Notorious' disc is http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004YN5Z/ref=br_lf_li_1_2/026-6856691-9058812 . Whereas the Criterion version is http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005O3V9/qid=1013076145/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_67_1/002-6075174-4631253 . (Can one of the Mods affiliate the links please ? :))
If you could get the Crits for that cheap I definitely want to know where from !!!! :nuts:
edit - typos !!! :nuts: :cool:
Michael Brooke
07-02-2002, 09:18
The Criterions are relatively recent releases, and if you see those titles going for less than, say, £20, you can pretty much guarantee they’ll be cheapo versions on budget labels. It’s very easy to see what the extra cash buys you – not just a shedload of extras (<I>Rebecca</I> is a two-disc SE) but also a vastly superior source print and transfer.
Sorry for the confusion, and excitement, over my above quote. As f_drew rightly said I was referring to cheapo R2 versions of films that are ALSO available as Criterions :rolleyes: Several are availbale for a tenner or less at Play247 and according to rewind are acceptable alternatives for the slimmer wallet!
Oh and by the way I'm male :D
Originally posted by lorenzo
Oh and by the way I'm male :D
:D
Just wanted to make sure that I was being PC by not being gender specific ! ;) :rolleyes: :p :cool:
Originally posted by f_drew
:D
Just wanted to make sure that I was being PC by not being gender specific ! ;) :rolleyes: :p :cool:
Yeah like I believe that - you are after my body mate :clap:
Originally posted by lorenzo
Yeah like I believe that - you are after my body mate :clap:
For some reason I've now got a mental Image of Fat ******* from Austin Powers 2 !
"Ooohhh, ma seksy bodee !" ;) :D
:clap: :clap: :clap:
Think more 'shag-a-licious' mate :D
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