A weekend nonfiction reading review…because even pastors need a break from heavy theological reading!
Peter Ackroyd. Alfred Hitchcock. London, UK: Chatto & Windus, April 2nd 2015. 279 pp.
4 out of 5
Purchase: Amazon
This is a biography on the famous movie director Alfred Hitchcock. More than other directors Hitchcock himself at times was more of the “star” of his films with the prestige of his directing than the actors who played in his movie. Even after decades following his death Hitchcock’s films are classics and Hitchcock’s silhouette is instantly recognizable by people today. So to read this biography of him is a treat.
I’m not really a film guy but I have enjoyed Hitchcock’s films. I was delighted reading about Hitchcock’s journey in developing great movies. The book gives a bit of the background of Hitchcock’s parents and his upbringing but where the book really got interesting was how it covered the beginning of Hitchcock’s early days of making films in England and his rise in prominence in his home country. However at that time the film industry in England does have its limitations and wasn’t as well regarded as the film industry in Germany and the United States. Eventually of course Hitchcock would move to America to expand his ability of directing and making films.
Film buffs no doubt would enjoy this book with its description of the making of certain Hitckcock’s films and the inner politics of the film studio. In addition I enjoyed the author’s analysis of Hitchcock films and his directing abilities. For instance I thought it was insightful to read of Hitchcock’s making of Rope and Rear Window. For me Rope is my all time favorite film by Hitchcock and the author talked about all the technical difficulties and challenges on the set (Note: If you are interested read my Christian worldview analysis of Alfred Hitchcock “Rope” (1948). The author’s analysis of Rear Window was quite insightful in pointing out things that I would not have noticed on my own such as the fact that thirty five percent of Rear Window is silent which shows us Hitchcocks’ ability to tell stories by just using visuals, a credit to his roots going back to the silent film days of his early career. It is quite fascinating to read about Hitchcock giving us visuals where we are trying to interpret things by observing gestures, body language and expressions.
In addition I thought the book was fascinating for his insight into films of Hitchcock that I have no plans of watching. I thought it was interesting to learn about the background of Psycho of how it became a hit even though in the beginning it did not seem that way. Psycho was actually one of the cheapest film that Hitchcock created but it became his most financially successful and influential. Hitchcock had a hard time with the film in the sense that he didn’t anticipate this particular film would do so well which made him question his own filmic judgment. Also he didn’t know where he would go from such a great success while at the same time he did not know what to make of the fact that Psycho overshadowed his other creative success such as Vertigo, Rebecca, Shadow of the Doubt, etc. Hitchcock even called it “bloody piece of crap” to one of his cameramen.
This book also reveal the weird quirks of Hitchcock. There was certainly a creepy side to him especially when he got older. But one also get the sense that Hitchcock always had a had creepy side that he had come out with morbid pranks, gossips and joke. Hitchcock was quite restrained by his cultural mores and formal expectations but there seems to be a sexual frustration that comes out with his oppressive control of leading actresses while at the same time he could be treating them with much favoritism. Reading this made me realize no one is perfect and that Hitchcock’s themes in his movies of the creepy, strange and abnormal in the midst of society and the “normal” is quite true of reality as well. How we need the Gospel of Jesus to save sinners and for Him to transform us from our sins!
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What fun,Slim! Hitchcock was a great story teller. Definitely creepy and a bit dark, but he had some real talent.
I think The Birds is my favorite. I actually got to see it in Bodega Bay. A few times I’ve got to dress up with a crow in my hair. 🙂
Can’t wait to read this. Thanks so much for highlighting it.
Let me know how it goes for you if you read it Phyllis! By the way I went on your blog and saw the blogs you followed and was amazed at how much of it overlapped with blogs I follow…and how there are solid Christians you are following!
Yes, it seems we seek each other out. That’s a good thing.
I remember always watching
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for the reblog!
Yankee Whiskey Bravo
Hitchcock was quite an interesting character, I love his films, but as a person, he was different. Thanks for sharing this review SlimJim
Thanks for the review! I’m a “one trick pony” when it comes to knowledge about film directors, so I enjoyed this. I see Hitch directed 53 feature films. I know I watched several of them but I can only recall Rear Window, Psycho, and The Birds with any kind of detail.
As directing and acting began changing in the 50s, Hitchcock was a stubborn defender of the old school style of directing where the actors came to the set, recited their memorized lines, and went home. He was strongly opposed to Kazan’s newfangled method acting and any improvisation. In some of his writings, Kazan criticized Hitchcock as a symbol of old school directing.
RE: Hitchcock’s themes in his movies of the creepy, strange and abnormal in the midst of society and the “normal” is quite true of reality as well.
Great point! There are certain “standards” shared by “polite” society (that are increasingly in flux these days), but we’re aware that there are also many “deviations” from these standards (even in our own individual hearts if we were honest). Hitchcock focused on the “creepy, strange and abnormal” and reminded us the world isn’t always like “Leave It To Beaver.” Hitchcock credited his Jesuit college training for teaching him “organization, control, and to some degree analysis.” So, like Kazan, Hitchcock explored the darker recesses of the human heart, but couldn’t offer a “remedy,” i.e., Jesus Christ.
Interesting to see the contrast with Kazan and Hitchcock! Thank you for this, it was insightful of their methods. Like you I’m a “one trick pony” when it comes to knowledge about film directors since I’m not much of a movie guy but a film guy. Hitchcock is about the only director that I know anything about, others not so much. So its neat to see how Kazan’s your parallel to my Hitchcock. I guess its because we both like books and reading…speaking of reading last night I finished my sermon prep early, tried to watch something on Amazon Prime, found nothing and resorted to reading instead which was why I was slow to get back to your comment about you spending last night reading….how was it?
It’s funny but both of our sons have their favorite director although they don’t take it quite as far as their father does with Kazan. Both of them are huge movie guys.
RE: reading last night
My wife and her friends watched a few episodes of the Carol Burnett show. I bought the DVD set for her for Christmas. She loves Carol Burnett. Anyway, I got sucked into the Burnett fest but I still got some reading done. Currently working on “Six Months in a Convent,” which is linked directly to the convent burning I posted about. How about you?
I read chapter 6 of the Ultimate Proof book that I did a post today on discussion questions for the book. I also was reading through Mark 4 for my own personal devotional and got caught up with chasing the cross references from commentaries. I also got to read a devotional book that happen to have their first chapter based upon a passage of Mark that I previous read. Its great to see other preachers and authors point out further insights I didn’t see before or other commentaries didn’t note. I feel like I”m writing a book report….remember grade school? LOL
Like you I’ve always loved to read but this blog has given me a reason to write, which
…which I enjoyed during my school days. The Lord works it out and puts us each in a particular place in the body. BTW, I don’t like it that the “send” button is so close to where I have to type! 😟
I suppose I can deduce you were typing on your smart phone?
Actually from my Kindle Fire. I’m one of the few who still has a flip phone.
I always found Hitchcock to be “This book also reveal the weird quirks” and creepy..😊😊😊