When I ran a poll a little while ago on which three 1001 films I should live tweet, The Birds (1963) was the runaway winner. That was a pleasnant suprise, because even though I ama massive fan of Hitchcock, I have never seen this film. Until earlier today when I did the live tweet. Here are the results.
Day off today. Coffee, then hopping into the third & final 1001 live tweet people voted for. Hitch's THE BIRDS. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
This was miles more popular than any other choice on the live-tweet poll. Excited – tis my first viewing of the film. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
The Birds seems like an idea for a film that could go oh so wrong. But I have only heard love for this film. Anyone not a fan? #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Woah forgot how few Hitch film I had seen in colour. Looks sharp. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Horrific sexism and adorable Hitch cameo inside the first minute. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Boooooooo pet shops. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Women seem to be even more useless in this film than in others from Hitch. Bad. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
This is the first film I've watched from this cracking blu-ray box set I grabbed a while ago. #birdtweet pic.twitter.com/5z4CM6ZVNd
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Transfer of the film is super sharp. Good to see studios investing the time and $ to do these things properly. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Pretty slow and bland start by Hitch standards. Assuming things will pick up once the birds start ripping everyone to shreds #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
In terms of early positives, the film looks really sharp. And Hendren is really good as well. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Hitch is such a maestro. Funky but not intrusive camera movements. Use of sound (or lack of) to up tension. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Nice cravat bro #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
This Rod Taylor dude is pretty bland. Especially in comparison to Hedren. Apparently an Aussie though. Never heard of him #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
First bird attack was pretty cool. Nice isolated incident. Hopefully going to build to some all out mashing #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Nice building up of Hedren's character's backstory. Shame old mate's lawyer schtick isn't getting any more interesting #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Some weirdarse mother/son relations going on here. Quite the focus of Hitch's. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
The dialogue scenes are really choppy in the way they are edited. Back and forth too fast. Disconcerting. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
The bird effects are a lot better than anticipated. Wonder how they managed that. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Woah now we're talking! When all the birds come flying out of the fireplace is incredible imagery. House chock full of birds #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
practical effects>CGI. Results in much greater creativity. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
A very different Hitch film this one. Best bits are some of the imagery – dude with his eyeballs pecked out. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
In terms of tension and narrative, this is so far one of the weaker films out of Hitch's 'big' ones for me. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Film is strangely meandering for one you would think would be so direct. Diversions into minor characters etc. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Which is not such a bad thing. I just want more straight-up murderous bird rampage thrills. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Awesome ominous images. Crows slowly gathering on the park equipment. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Ok so some of the effects are a bit dodgy. The crow attack looks like bad animation in some of the wider shots. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Some of these scenes are legit terrifying. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
This film is all over the shop. In both an awesome and not so awesome way. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Incredible individual scenes and striking images. But a pretty lax and silly narrative. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Story feels like it could have been written by Wells. War of the Wars-ish. Wonder if heading to a similar deus ex machina ending #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Just took a break from the film to give these two legends some pats. V special part of our family. #birdtweet pic.twitter.com/VFXJNWmt1L
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Both of them have film related names as well. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Great sound design in this film. Seems to be a feature of Hitch's work. Wonder if he worked with the same few people often #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
The scene towards the end with Hedren in the loft is thrilling stuff. More of that please. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
The sound builds about 80% of the tension in this film. The writing, strangely, does not build all that much at all. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Erm… you guys forget the ending #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Leaving it open for a Dawn of the Planet of the Apes style sequel? Where the birds run the whole show. Looking forward to that #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Hitchcock doesn't make bad films. But The Birds never got going for me. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Some awesome moments of fun. But sadly far from my favourite Hitchcock film. #birdtweet
— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Verdict: Stubby of Reschs
Progress: 105/1001
2014 Progress: 9/101#birdtweet— Tim @ Five Rad Films (@beer_movie) April 10, 2014
Related beermovie.net articles for you to check out: Live Tweet Review: Night of the Living Dead and My Favourite… Hitchcock film.
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Interesting take. I like this one a bit more than you, because I think the characters vibrant and interesting. But I totally agree that they forgot the ending.
Yeah I couldn’t really get into the characters as much as usual with Hitch. Just didn’t feel fully formed enough for me I think.
Very nice!! Just so you know – it’s almost time for another one of these:
http://isaacspictureconclusions.com/2013/03/13/the-birds-part-2-the-sequel/
Simply fantastic! Real life The Birds
Great work! I’ve nominated your blog for a Liebster award! You can find out about it here: http://writerlovesmovies.com/2014/04/10/liebster-award/
Love your bunnies by the way!
Thanks Natalie! Too kind.
Your welcome!
Don’t know if you noticed, there is not one note of soundtrack music in the entire film. The only place there is music is in one scene where Hedrin’s character is playing the piano. I think to build such suspense with no background music is a testament to Hitchcock’s craft. The effects were probably top-notch for the time and the sound effects (juxtaposed with long periods of silence) carry the whole movie. Liked this film way better than you did – It’s probably the first time Hitchcock delved into straight horror (maybe the only time). I didn’t like it as much the 1st time I saw it, but time has shown me what a unique film it is.
You know what, I didn’t notice but thinking back that makes sense. Spot on re the sound effects. When they are all barricaded inside the house toward the end and the sound of all the birds starts up, that was one of the most suspenseful moments of the whole film.
I’ve never seen this moving, but it was interesting reading your play by play opinions on it. Cute bunnies btw. Will you watch the TV sequel?
Thanks for the compliments on the bunnies. I wouldn’t mind checking out the sequel if I can get a hold of it. Could be a lot of fun.
Great post! Also just checked out your Worth Watching for March! Solid month.
Cheers for commenting Fernando. Glad you enjoyed the two. posts