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19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Scared Silly and Lovin It......A Terrific Selection, May 20, 2003
This review refers to "The Best of Hitchcock Collection - Volume 1" DVD set by Universal...
Overall, you will find this to be a terrific selection of seven of Hitch's films that really take in the scope of his talents.
You'll find in these films his masterful way of incorporating suspense,the macabre, romance, horror, mystery and his wonderful wit. His distinctive camera work, the famous staircase scenes, the use of shadows and light,the wonderful stars, all the great trademarks are here in this collection.
So...You may never want to take a shower(alone) again as Norman Bates and "mom" go on a psychotic killing spree in "Psycho", the mother of all fright flicks! It also stars Janet Leigh and Vera Miles.
You'll be rooting on poor wheelchair bound Jimmy Stewart as he and Grace Kelly try to prove the neighbor is a murderer in "Rear Window". The suspense is wonderful, and so is the romance!. It also stars the best character actress ever to grace the screen, Thelma Ritter and the great Raymond Burr.
Hitch will have your heart in your throat as America's sweetheart Teresa Wright may be the next victim of a serial killer in "Shadow of a Doubt". Does she know that it is her own uncle! Yikes! Joseph Cotton will have you on the edge of your seat!..Also look for the very notable and young Hume Cronyn.
Two school chums with nothing better to do, decide to do away with a friend just for the heck of it. Jimmy Stewart sleuths again in this innovatively filmed mystery "Rope". John Dall and Farley Granger are excellent and we are treated to an appearance by Sir Cedric Hardwicke as well.
A masterpiece is reworked an updated by Hitch, the result another masterpiece! "The Man Who Knew Too Much" is a magnificent remake of his earlier work. It stars Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart as parents desperate to get their child back from kidnappers but must also prevent an assassination. Whew, who else could handle that? Doris sings her beautiful rendition of "Que Sera".
"Topaz" presents lots of intrigue during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It's spy vs. spy stuff as only Hitch can do it. You won't want to miss a second of this thrilling adventure. It stars John Forsythe, Fredrick Stafford and Phillipe Noiret.
In his last film Hitch combines everything that is Hitch. Humor, mystery, intrigue and suspense. It's all here in "Family Plot". A delightful film starring Barabra Harris and Bruce Dern as a scheming couple who get caught up in more than they bargained for. Karen Black and William Devane also add their talents to this one.
And finally four definitive episodes of his TV show "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".Each includes his intros into the show, which are always fun. The transfers of these old programs are incredible and you'll find a host of great stars including Vera Miles, Ralph Meeker, Joseph Cotten and Meg Mundy.
Looking for Hitch:
"Psycho"..You don't have to wait too long, Check outside the realty office.
"Rear Window"..At the neighbors of course.. about :30 minutes in...he's got time on his hands.
"Shadow of a Doubt".. Take a ride to Santa Rosa, and play some cards with Hitch,,but be careful he's got a great hand!
"Rope".. it must be a sign..look out the window!
"The Man Who Knew Too Much".. taking in the sights in Morocco. Be careful Hitch!... there's going to be a murder!
"Topaz"..Check at the airport..could that be the wheelchair from "Rear Window"?
"Family Plot"..You know THAT Profile about :45 minutes in at the registrar's office.
Have fun looking for him!
Universal has made beautiful transfers of these classic and cherished works. The black and whites(Psycho and Shadow of a Doubt) are crisp, sharp images. The colors are brillant, and all are in the original widescreen(except Shadow of a Doubt and Rope, which were made in full frame. The extras will keep you very busy(see tech info for list). I thought the price though, was a little high considering that ALL of these DVD's were produced in 2.0 MONO! If "Vertigo" from 1958 can be remastered in the Dolby Digital 5.1 why can't these? This is my only reason for the four stars.( I like to review the entire package) If you're like me and you love Hitch, you'll still love this collection and just hope for better sound restoration on future issues. The musical scores alone deserve at least stereo.
All in all a terrific addition to any Hitchcock fan's collection....enjoy...Laurie
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
film study in a box A+, March 10, 2001
This along with best of #2 is the greatest box set of all time. these movies span decades of great film making. every DVD came with wonderful extras and a documentary. most are widescreen and set up for the home theater experience. These movies are timeless and can be watched 10 years from now and still be enjoyed. great buy!
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Discover Why Today's Filmmakers Worship His Work, April 1, 2001
"Shadow of a Doubt", "Psycho" and "Rear Window" are the A+ movies in this boxed set. My absolute favorite is "Shadow of A Doubt," about Uncle Charlie who comes to stay with his sister and her family to hide out from being hunted as the serial Merry Widow killer. Joseph Cotton plays Uncle Charlie with all of the charm, grace and elegance which came naturally to him as a member of Virgina's upper class in real life. Yet the sinister undercurrent of his personality is quietly apparent throughout. "Psycho" is the film Hitchcock is now most identified with as was its star, Anthony Perkins, who played twisted Norman Bates. Janet Leigh is also best remembered as the larcenous woman who met her fate in the infamous Bates motel shower. Taking a shower was never the same after people first saw this film! I've reviewed "Rear Window" previously and that is Hitch at the top of his game as well. The other work is all roughly C+ to B+, with "Rope" being a too stagey, limp version of "Leopold and Loeb" and being the C+, the lowest, in the set. "The Man Who Knew Too Much," however, comes in at a strong B+ with Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart being the perfect Every Mr. and Mrs. America who find themselves up to their ears in an international intrigue situation, a role that they never expected or wanted in their perfect mainstream American lives. If there is a film student in your life, these Hitchcock boxed sets will make the perfect gift.
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