Product Details

• Actors: Alfred Hitchcock, Cliff Robertson
• Directors: Richard Schickel
• Writers: Richard Schickel
• Producers: Richard Schickel, Gene Stavis
• Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Winstar
• VHS Release Date: April 28, 1998
• Run Time: 57 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1572522305
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,588 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This hour-long documentary, written and directed by noted film critic Richard Schickel for the 1971 Public Television series The Men Who Make the Movies, offers a concise, intelligent look at Hitchcock's films. The Master of Suspense himself, who is interviewed extensively here, delights with (possibly apocryphal) stories of his deep-seated fear of policemen, elaborates on the difference between shock and suspense, defines the meaning of "MacGuffin," and discusses his use of storyboarding in designing a film. Clips from many of his greatest films (including North by Northwest, Shadow of a Doubt, The Birds, and the legendary shower scene from Psycho) illustrate his points, often to Hitchcock's own voice-over observations, with narrator Cliff Robertson offering other critical insights. An excellent introduction to the filmmaker Schickel describes as "the great artist of anxiety." --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exellent Documentary On The Master., June 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Alfred Hitchcock-Master of Suspense [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Everyone has heared of the great late Alfred Hitchcock and most people have seen at least one of his movies. Still, if you want to know more about Hitch, like how he remembers the door clanging shut on him in the local jail as a kid and his theorys (actually more than theorys- they are facts cause Hitch would know) on how to build uncontrollabe suspence. Just listen to the baseball theory. This is great for both scolars and those who are just becomeing one of the millions of fans. Take a look.

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, August 3, 2011

By 

lady_of_mercia "lady_of_mercia" (Fairfax, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alfred Hitchcock-Master of Suspense [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Unavailable on DVD right now, this installment of a PBS series on great directors is a good examination of Hitchcock's technique. It was made while he was still living, and the interview is excellent.