Every Hitchcock Film I've Seen Ranked (Worst to Best)
It seems like I've played myself. I started this idea for a post as a way of paying tribute to a director whose work I'd watch no matter what. It turns out I haven't seen much by Alfie.
I'll get on that! In the mean time, let's celebrate the work I have seen!
Film/Rank:
#10- Vertigo (1958)
Best Part:
Of the movies on this list, which admittedly is shorter than any of us thought it would be, I actually dislike this one. I don't know why. All the literature about this movie speaks to how great it is, I just can't get on board. Maybe because I've seen takes on the groundbreaking stuff in this movie before. But that can be said about most of the movies on this list. I'm just not rocking with this movie I found the whole premise stupid and the ending to be completely unsatisfying.
Film/Rank:
#9- Rear Window (1954)
Best Part:
The visuals in this movie are all kinds of dope! I love the shots showing the apartment complex. And they've got some other sneaky cool shots throughout. Unlike, Vertigo, I don't dislike this movie, but it's definitely the Hitchcock film I like the least (by a wide margin). I don't know why though. I like Jimmy Stewart, I love Hitchcock... but it would appear I'm not really a fan of the two of them working together. Simpsons fans will know this movie as the episode that Bart breaks his leg while showing out at his pool party. Also I feel like there was a Shia LaBeouf movie named after a Rihanna song that was pretty much a take on this movie too.
Film/Rank:
#8- Notorious (1946)
Best Part:
There is no doubt that even though I like this movie, the most memorable part of it to me is the fact that it stars Cary Grant. The best Hitchcock leading man, and certainly a great leading man in his own right. But if Cary Grant isn't enough to get you excited, I would have to say that what I liked about the movie was the way Cary had to hide his feelings for Ingrid Bergman's character. Kinda like what I enjoyed about the first season of The Americans where Philip definitely liked his spy wife, Elizabeth, more than she liked him. I'm a sucker for longing!
Film/Rank:
#7- Strangers on a Train (1951)
Best Part:
BRUNO! BRUNO! BRUNO! Dawg, if you're not on board with Bruno lighting up the screen within the first 2 lines of dialogue than I don't know what to tell you. This movie is at it's best when Bruno is doing his thing. I also appreciated how strong willed Miriam was in the film. This film also features some really cool shots, most notably the carousel at the end. This is also the emergence, on this list, of my favourite Hitchcock subject: trying to get away with murder! Also after reading some of the trivia, I'm glad I caught onto the fact that Hitchcock wanted Bruno to be gay but wasn't able to address it directly.
Film/Rank:
#6- The Birds (1963)
Best Part:
I can't tell you one specific thing that is amazing about this movie. I think it's the fact that it works so well. It's definitely greater than the sum of its parts. Sure there is a lead in Tippi Hedren that you can root for, but the whole concept seems so silly and the fact that I never once thought I was watching something dumb speaks to everything coming together and creating something great.
Film/Rank:
#5- To Catch a Thief (1955)
Best Part:
Another case of Cary Grant getting to be cool and in this movie almost Bond like in the way he easily deals with his opponents. I will say it was very interesting to see Grace Kelly woo Cary Grant with chicken and beer on a picnic. This movie got so high up because of the visuals and the genuine great time I have with all of the characters. It never quite hits the tension of the movies closer to the top on this list but it's a great movie to look at and has some great character moments.
Film/Rank:
#4- Psycho (1960)
Best Part:
Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates is phenomenal. There is something about the way he plays his character that seems so natural that I could see this being a performance that was delivered today instead of in the 60s. The scene where he's being interrogated at the motel by the police in particular always stands out to me as an amazing moment in acting. We've also got a character trying to get away with murder which is right up my alley. Even if you know what the twist is for this movie, the way it plays out is always going to be entertaining because of the performances by everyone but especially Tony P.
Film/Rank:
#3- Rope (1948)
Best Part:
I put off watching Rope because I was convinced that I just wasn't a Jimmy Stewart and Hitchcock together fan. However, Aidan and Michael, both spoke up for the film and I eventually gave in and watched it. I don't know what I was thinking not seeing this movie right away. Not only are people trying to get away with murder, they're trying to justify why certain people should be killed and tempting fate at every turn. James Stewart doesn't factor in till later, and he does have a big part to play but it's John Dall's Brandon who makes this movie work for me. He's so smarmy and yet I still wanted to see if he could pull it off. Another great thing about the movie? It never draws attention to the fact that it attempted to be viewed as one unbroken take in pretty much real time storytelling. Points for that subtly cool technical trick.
Film/Rank:
#2- Dial M for Murder (1954)
Best Part:
I obviously didn't see this movie in theatres. So when I tell you that this movie legitimately had me on the edge of my seat, that should tell you something. Yes we've got someone trying to commit a murder and get away with it so I'm all on board but it's the way things go awry that had me thinking I might not be a very good person. I didn't see it as "oh good, the wife's safe" I was definitely like, "there's still a chance, my man!" To be swept up in the story and how it unfolds decades after the film was released and with the way movies have changed is a testament to the film making on display in this movie.
Film/Rank:
#1- North by Northwest (1959)
Best Part:
This is just straight up my favourite movie. Seriously, better than any Dark Knight or Captain America: Winter Soldier. This movie has everything you'd ever want out of entertainment. Given that you're able to excuse the less than stellar (by today's standards) special effects. There are spies, mistaken identity, love triangles, plane chases, and sex jokes for days! If you know me though, you know that the real winning factor here is that the movie has all of that and CARY GRANT in the middle of it all. Man I love that guy's body of work!
-YG