Customer Reviews

Alfred Hitchcock - The Masterpiece Collection

5 star:		(101)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

There are both pros and cons to this remastered/rereleased Hitchcock boxed set. The pros are that all have been remastered (all of them were anamorphic despite what other reviews have stated except for the first edition of "Vertigo" on DVD--read the boxes of the original releases or better yet watch them)and the remastering job has resulted in colors being bolder in many cases (Do a comparison as I did)with images being crisper and with slightly better resolution. There is an exception to this--"The Man Who Knew Too Much" actually looks worse than the previous release. While colors are good the image clarity and detail are off. I'm not exactly sure what happened here but it must have been during the Telecine transfer process from film to video (and then DVD). This is based on a head-to-head comparison with the other edition of the film and isn't based on a bad DVD. Instead, it's related to the transfer not being quite as good for this new updated version. So if "Man" is one of your favorites I'd advise you to keep the previous DVD. Also, there's no paper inserts with chapter stops listed as on previous editions. Also, a couple of films didn't have a huge difference but they were still noticeable for the most part.

The DVDs are housed four to a DVD "book" with two on each side one on top of the other. I know what you're thinking--they'll get scratched--but I didn't notice any potential for that. Still, you'll need to be careful taking them out and putting them in and these holders are not as secure as the individual keep cases. Each cover is decorated with images from the original posters for each movie overlapping each other.

Extras are exactly the same as the original releases for each disc. "The Making of Psycho" and "All About 'The Birds'" which were on the original discs themselves have been relocated to the bonus discs. There's also three new bonuses included. The first is a 15 minute excerpt from the AFI tribute focusing primarily on Hitch's droll comments when he accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award. I've long wanted to have this on DVD but do wish that Universal had licensed the entire AFI tribute as it was a charming and worthwhile evening. The second extra is a 30 minute interview featuring Pia Lindstrom and William K. Everson and is a vintage videotape interview with Hitchcock from the 70's. It's quite a revealing interview with Hitchcock charming the hosts as usual. He discusses quite frankly his likes (pre-production) and dislikes (method actors like Montgomery Clift). The third bonus is a 36 page booklet that, like the booklet that came with "Jaws", is hardly essential. It does include credits for each movie, some photos and brief comments about each film. It'll be something you might look at once or twice.

The box itself has a crushed velvet exterior and is quite attractive. The cover has a door that slides into the box to access the movies. So the pros are better transfers for most of the films. If you don't have all of Hitch's movies on DVD yet, this is a great deal. The new extras aren't worth the price of admission if you don't already have all of these and while they look better, the difference may not be all that striking to you. With the release of Hitch's TV show and other new stuff coming out, it's a matter of spending where one can.

I gave this set 4 stars for two reasons; 1) There are a number of so-so Hitchcock films in this set ("Torn Curtain", "Topaz", "Marnie" which is one that, despite Robin Wood's absurd arguments to the contrary, I find to be substandard Hitchcock and the enjoyable but light "Family Plot"). 2)"The Man Who Knew Too Much" should look BETTER than the previous edition but, in fact, looks a bit worse for the wear with less clarity and definition. 3)While we do some some new extras they are slim pickings. I would have loved to get more commentary tracks on these classic films from Hilton Green (Assistant Director on "Psycho" and a number of Hitch's TV episodes), Bruce Dern or Karen Black (on "Family Plot") and others on the important films.

Some of Hitch's finest films are here "Vertigo", "Rear Window", "The Man Who Knew Too Much", "The Trouble With Harry" (an acquired taste), "Psycho", "Shadow of a Doubt", "Sabotage", "Frenzy", etc but also some of his weaker thrillers as well. It's a good concise and inexpensive way to get them all.

O.K., I have the box set in my hands, and although I have not watched every movie I have scanned them all in order to write the review. I am not reviewing the movies themselves, just trying to clear up some of the confusion that seems to be surrounding this release.

First, the technical info is as follows:

The Birds, Marnie, The Trouble with Harry, Topaz, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Torn Curtain, Frenzy, and Family Plot are all Dolby 2.0, 1.85 Widescreen, Color.

Vertigo is Dolby 5.1, 1.85 Widescreen, Color

Rope, Shadow of a Doubt and The Bonus Disc are Dolby 2.0, 1.33 Full Frame, Color.

Rear Window is Dolby 2.0, 1.66 Widescreen, Color.

Psycho is Dolby 2.0, 1.85 Widescreen, B&W.

Saboteur is Dolby 2.0, 1.33 Full Frame, B&W

I actually thought the velvet box was rather nice, and I didn't mind the four discs to a sleeve. The booklet is very nice, printed with lots of color on heavy stock and includes trivia and facts on each movie.

I read a review that said one of the films didn't look as good as the others, so when I scanned them I tried to pay particular attention to the picture quality. I found all of the movies to be crisp and clean, so I would suggest maybe there was a bad disc in his box set (?).

My only negative is that only Vertigo is remastered in Dolby 5.1. I just don't understand digitally remastering the films and not the soundtrack.

However, the amount of brilliant filmmaking included in this collection is almost overwhelming. Every film is a treasure, and it's filmmaking that has rarely been equaled, let alone surpassed.

Look, everyone is always going to have something to complain about (didn't like the package, the sleeves, hasn't done justice to the master), even myself with the soundtrack issue, but Universal has put together a 15 disc package of great films for $84.00. What's that...$5.60 a disc?

If you are on the fence on this one, just click "add to cart" and go to checkout. This is the deal of a lifetime.

For anybody who has not brought these films at the individual list price of $29.95, then this box set has to be considered (at under $6.00 a film) the deal (or steal) of the century.

The problem is that probably every Hitchcock fan has already purchased all or most of these films - as I did, at those advanced prices, and doesn't want to lay out any more cash. But anyone living in a major city should easily be able to get at least $6.00 a disc for their old Hitchcock DVD's at any used DVD store, and in the process they would actually be saving money and be getting a beautifully packaged box set in the process, along with a nice booklet, and the bonus of an extra disc.

Unfortunately, the extra disc, only includes (to Universal's disgrace) a mere 15 minute excerpt from the AFI life acheivement award to Hitchcock - that includes comments from Ingrid Bergman and Jimmy Stewart, as well as Hitchcock's complete acceptance speech. But missing are all the other speakers, like Janet Leigh, Francois Truffaut, John Forsythe, Anthony Perkins, etc.

This is my biggest complaint, because the entire 105 minute program was easily one of the best AFI shows ever produced. So why couldn't they include the entire program on the bonus disc?

However, that aside, the bonus disc is offset by the incredible interview segements with Mr. Hitchcock, which only runs about 33 minutes, but includes comments from the master that have never been heard before. For a director like Hitchcock, who had been endlessly interviewed, I expected this to be a repeat of comments Hitchcock had made many times elsewhere. But guess what? These 33 minutes of interview are almost entirely new material! Most of Hitchcock's comments are entirely fresh, and not in the Truffaut interview book, or anywhere else, for that matter, making them very valuable indeed.

Kudos go the two interviewers, Pia Lindstrom (Ingrid Bergman's daughter) and the esteemed film collector William K. Everson for not following the same old paths and asking Hitch the kinds of questions (as Richard Schickel did in his documentary on Hitchcock for the PBS series, "The Men who Made the Movies" which basically repeated everything about Hitchcock that everyone was already familiar with who had read the Truffaut/Hitchcock book).

I am happy to say that, in spite of many scathing reviews of this box set, this collection of Alfred Hitchcock films is excellent in every way. I love the velvet box the disks are kept in and the cases (three or four DVDs to a case) are attractive (with poster art adorning the covers) and compact, keeping this set from being huge as it could have been, and I appreciate that. Although some people have complained of the picture and audio quality of the disks in comparison to the previous editions, I have to say that they are the same as before, not worse, and that is fine by me. The difference that I can see is that those films that were not previously anamorphic widescreen are now and that is reason to celebrate. Also the set is a deal, 15 disks for $90 is about $6 a disk and you can't beat that. Included in the set is Hitchcock's personal favorite Shadow of a Doubt, the interesting "one shot" experiment Rope, the classic Rear Window and delicious black comedy The Trouble with Harry, the masterpieces Vertigo and Psycho, the chilling The Birds and Frenzy, to the underrated Marnie and Torn Curtain, his final film Family Plot and much more!!

I was looking forward to this set with great anticipation. I had the old releases, but thought Universal would step up to the plate and give us great new transfers of all their hefty Hitchcock library. Although Warner Bros. has a great boxed set of some terrific and some just "good" title, Universal surely has the advantage when it comes to Hitch, even though his best film (IMHO-it's NORTH BY NORTHWEST) is elsewhere.

So I sold off my old copies, bought this set, and with the exception of a vastly improved, at last anamorphic VERTIGO (and we will even forgive those late '90s foley effects mixed with the 1958 soundtrack), it is shocking that what is my other "favorite" Hitchcock film, PSYCHO, is finally anamorphic, but obviously OUT OF SYNCH. Not a frame, but several. It's so obvious. How could they miss this.

Equally disappointing is that THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, a masterpiece that should glisten by virtue of its VistaVision photography, is muddy and sounds awful, just like it did before.

The packaging is marginal, the extras are mostly recycled, those formulaic pieces we've grown tired of from the man that does them, and the unkindest cut of all, I thought this set would have the wonderful AFI tribute to Hitch, but instead it only has a fragment.

Universal has a very impressive library, not nearly as impressive as some of its competitors, but there are hundreds of great films unreleased, but theit theme seems to be re-releases

(the 3rd or 4th edition of THE BREAKFAST CLUB?). For Hitch, I'd figure they'd do him proud.

Instead it's a partial injustice. No doubt some films look better this time around, but clearly this is a studio asleep at the wheel.

What a shame. I wish I had kept my old discs and waited for the HD-DVD editions, which will HAVE to be improved.

Unlike what some have claimed, this set is most definitely remastered and not just a simple "repackaging" of previously-released versions.

I have purchased and confirmed that indeed, movies such as Vertigo and Psycho which were not anamorphic in their prior release are indeed anomorphic widescreen in this release. And, the menus have been updated, etc.

Not all movies in this set are anamorphic - because not all were released in widescreen format.

However, the anamorphic/widescreen releases in this set are: The Birds, Marnie, Vertigo, Rear Window, Psycho, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Torn Curtain, Frenzy, Family Plot, The Trouble with Harry, and Topaz.

The set would have been "flawless" if it included North by Northwest, but I suspect that it wasn't because this title is owned by Warner, not Universal (who released this set).

The new ALFRED HITCHCOCK: THE MASTERPIECE COLLECTION is one of the most expensive DVD boxed sets I have ever bought--$90 from Amazon.com. (It retails elsewhere for a whopping $120.) But if you have that much to spend on a boxed set, have a Hitchcock scholar in your family, and want the ultimate Christmas gift, you will not top this one. You get FOURTEEN digitally remastered and widescreen (where applicable) studio print masterworks by Sir Alfred on fifteen disks. This averages out to only $6 a movie! The movies are all classics; several are full-fledged cinema masterpieces, spanning The Master's entire Amereican career until his death in the late 1970's: SABOTEUR, SHADOW OF A DOUBT, ROPE, REAR WINDOW, THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY, VERTIGO, PSYCHO, THE BIRDS, MARNIE, TOPAZ, TORN CURTAIN, FRENZY. and FAMILY PLOT. The movies come as four disks in a beautifully designed series of boxes inside an elegant larger maroon velvet box.

You don't just get the movies here. Each one has a small filmmaking documentary (REAR WINDOW and VERTIGO have longer ones), some wonderfully sly and inspired theatrical trailers, publicity material, and other behind the scenes bonuses. The bonus 15th disk has (unfortunately) only excerpts from the AFI Tribute banquet, the making of PSYCHO and the making of THE BIRDS (why aren't they on those individual film disks?), and another documentary called MASTERS OF CINEMA: ALFRED HITCHCOCK.

Finally (!), you get a 36 page labor of love collectible booklet with a couple of pages devoted to each movie here. If you love Alfred Hitchcock the way I do, you simply must find a way to afford the admittedly very expensive ALFRED HITCHCOCK: THE MASTERPIECE COLLECTION boxed set from maligned Universal, even if you have to give up every other DVD purchase for the month or even the rest of the year. It is one of the crown jewels of my DVD collection.

First of all, I want to thank Amazon for the fast delivery of my package, it arrived before the estimate dates (June 14-July 2) and in mint condition. Being a film student, my first Hitchcock movie was Psycho and I absolutely loved it. It's one of my all-time favorites. Then I saw the excellent The Birds and the good Rope. Watching only this three films, I realized I need to see more Hitchcock films including the best of him (Vertigo, Rear Window, etc.) My grandpa bought this set for me and has been the best birthday present ever!!! It has 14 films digitally remastered and a bonus disc. I read a lot of reviews complaining the quality of The Man that Knew Too Much but it look good to me (perhaps this is because I did not had the previous edition which is supposed to have a better transfer). I have yet to see all films and the bonus material (and that will take a while) and after that I will update this review with my personal thoughts of each film.

For the moment, I have to recommend this set to everyone who loves Hitchcock or suspense. Excellent boxset with high quality transfers and lots of bonus material. 5 stars.

Personal Thoughts on each film:

First Box:
Saboteur- 4 stars:
This wartime suspense drama is really enjoyable but does not achieve great hights as other Hitchcock films. Packed with many of the director's trademarks (wrong man accused, etc.) there's plenty of thrills to find here. There's a great amount of suspense that unfortunately get overlooked sometimes because of long dialogues and speeches. Being made during WWII, patriotic values crowd the picture. Robert Cummings is not spectacular as Barry Kane but it's not terrible either. Pricilla Lane is more enjoyable as is the supporting cast on both sides. While the picture suffers for some unnecessary scenes, all is forgiven when the awesome third act comes. The spectacular Statue of Liberty scene is worth the whole picture. Thrilling and suspensful as any Hitchcock film.
Saboteur is enjoyable and has some fantastic scenes (especially the at the end), but suffers from unnecessary dialogue and scenes that drag the picture too long. A good if unspectacular Hitchcock movie.

Picture-3 Stars
Picture is good and satisfying. Some minor grain and artifacts come and go throught the picture, but being a 60 plus year old film, it looks really good.

Sound-3 Stars
No complaints. Unspectacular but clear.

Extras-5 Stars
Terrific and insightful Documentary- Saboteur: A Closer Look.
Storyboards (great)
Trailers
Production Notes
Production Photographs

Shadow of a Doubt- 5 stars
Here is an example of a true Hitchcock Masterpiece. This underrated classic is the reason why Hitch is called "The Master of Suspense". A great movie packed with suspense, witty dialogue and great performances from all the cast, makes Shadow a really pleasant experience. Beginning in a simple, happy way, the film goes down taking us and our most horrible fears as it progresses, making us witnesses of the horror that can be inflicted in a little and quiet town. A fantastic nail-biter, no scene is gratious as each one adds to the film suspensful plot. Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotten shine as the two leads making this film a must see for any Hitchcock fan. Definetively a masterpiece.

Picture-3 Stars
As with Saboteur, is satisfying but some grain and artifacts come and go thoroughout it. But, for a film this age it looks good.

Sound-3 Stars
No Complaints.

Extras-5 Stars
Excellent Documentary- Beyond Doubt: The Making of Hitchcok's favorite film.
Production notes
Storyboards
Trailers
Production Photographs

Rope- 4.5 Stars
A "failed" experiment, like Hitchcock used to say, Rope nontheless is an enjoyable picture that delivers suspense with humor (as usual in a Hitchcok film). One of the highlights of the film is the cast. John Dall and Farley Granger are really effective as the two murderers and Jimmy Stewart is great as their suspicious professor. Again as with Saboteur, excess of dialogue prevents the film to be greater but you will find yourself completely taken by the suspensful plot. Another highlight is the limited environment in which the movie plays (an apartment- pretty much like Rear Window) because it concentrates all the drama and the suspense in one single spot which I found it very effective. Aside from the long takes experiment, Rope also was an experiment in the way that it delt with homosexuality in a sophisticated way, a way that censors of the time failed to see. Rope may not be an instant Hitchcock classic, but it sure will make yourself chop off your nails wondering how it will finish.

Picture-4 Stars
The first Hitchcock film in color, Rope looks great in this new transfer. Some minor grain comes and goes but that is not a distraction at all. Great picture quality.

Sound-3 Stars
No complaints. Unspectacular but fine.

Extras-5 Stars
Insightful and great documentary- Rope Unleashed
Production Notes
Trailers
Production Photographs

Rear Window- 5 Stars
Here was the film I was looking forward to see since I receive this boxset. Rear Window is said to be one of Hitchcok's great masterpieces and is absolutely right. On the risk that I might sound repepitive, this picture is now one of my all-time favorites due to the great artistry in it. Masterfully directed by Hitch and wonderfully acted by Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly and the supporting cast, Rear Window shows vouyerism at its peak. Balancing (as always) humor with suspense, this picture delivers great performances with great dialogue and unforgettable moments. You'll be sweating and your heart will be pounding really hard throughout the film. But after it, you will be smiling because you know you just saw an excellent film. MASTERPIECE.

Picture-4 Stars
Rear Window looks really good here but still is not a complete clean transfer. Some grain comes and goes but that will be the least of your problems while you're watching it.

Sound- 3 Stars
Unimpressive but again not a problem.

Extras-5 Stars
Wonderful Documentary-Rear Window Ethics: An Original Documentary.
An interview with Screenwriter John Michael Hayes (great interview)
Production Notes
Trailers
Production Photographs

Second Box:
The Trouble with Harry- 4.5 Stars
Here is a picture that seems completely different from a Hitchcock movie. Harry is a comedy (dark) that somewhat feels light in comparison to other Hitch films. So, if you expect tons of suspense and action, don't expect too much. Harry is one of the most relaxing Hitchcock films where you can sit and enjoy without having a heart attack. The cast does not have big names (Shirley MacLaine was not a big name at that time) but serves the film's purpose well and everyone do a fine performance. Vermont scenery is really beautiful and really adds to the film value.
What you can expect, is tons of dark humor that is delivered in a very sophisticated and subtle way. I assure you, you will be smiling throughout the film. A nice lighthearted film.

Picture-4.5 Stars
Harry looks impressive in its vistavision remasterized transfer. Almost no artifacts or grain. Excellent quality.

Sound- 3.5 Stars
Unimpressive but Bernard Herrmann score is really cool and adds a bit to the overall quality. No issues.

Extras-5 Stars
Great Documentary- The Trouble with Harry isn't over
Trailers
Production Notes
Production Photographs

The Man Who Knew Too Much- 5 Stars
Another Hithchcock classic. I've never seen the 1934 version but this remake is a wonderful picture. I have to say that is an epic movie filmed in many countries and you can see the big budget it had. Again, a wonderful James Stewart is the lead sharing the screen this time with Doris Day. It's the first time I've seen her acting and I must tell you, she is wonderful here. The sceneries are beautiful and the plot will make you be at the edge of your seat all the time. The wonderful song Que sera, sera is an excellent addition to the film and Doris delivered it in a masterful performance. Following the footsteps of Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much is Hitchcock at his best.

Picture-4 Stars
I think this transfer was pretty solid. Many complaints about the quality of the picture can be seen in this site, claiming that the previous DVD had a better transfer. While I do not have the previous DVD, I can say that mine looked pretty good, just some minor grain and even less artifacts. I think is a solid transfer overall.

Sound-3.5 Stars
Unspectacular as with the other ones. Herrmann score is excellent nontheless. No complaints.

Extras-5 Stars
Excellent Documentary- The Making of The Man Who Knew Too Much
Trailers
Production Photographs
Production Notes

Vertigo- 5 Stars
Mixed response greeted Vertigo in 1958. Since then, the film has crawled its way to the top and now its being considered Hitchcock masterpiece and one of the greatest films ever made. Watching the film for the first time, I can truly said that all the praise is not unfounded. Vertigo is a masterful work that shows Hitch's potential in a 100%. Its plot is much heavier than previous films and is filmed in a grim tone, almost depressing. That really adds to the film's meaning. James Stewart gives here what I consider now, his finest performance as an investigador consumed by obsession. Kim Novak is absolutely stunning in a complex dual role. I don't think Vera Miles could achieve this type of performance. Novak is brilliant. Locations are fantastic as are the details in every single thing in the picture. The score by Bernard Herrmann is so powerful and engulfing, you will be remembering it after the movie ended. I think is his second best score (Psycho will always be first). Vertigo is not a grand scale film like The Man Who Knew Too Much but it is much more powerful and personal that you will want it to see it several times. A crowning achievement and a masterful film.

Picture-4 Stars
Excellent quality transfer with minor grain and artifacts.

Sound-5 Stars
Presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital Sound, Vertigo is a joy to hear especially with an excellent Herrmann score in it. It has also the original 2.0 monotrack.

Extras-5 Stars
Excellent although a little dated documentary- Obsessed with Vertigo
Audio Comentary with the Restoration Team and Producer (I'm not into audiocomentaries, but for the ones that are, it will be a thrill)
Trailers
Production Notes
The Vertigo Archives

Psycho- 5 Stars
What can I say about Psycho that haven't been said before? It's a landmark, fantastic, horrifying film. It's my Hitchcock favorite and seeing recently again it has been a plesure in this new remasterized transfer. Psycho is pure Hitchcock but at the same time is a departure from his usual themes and trademarks that has caracterized his previous films. Here we don't have a passionate story filled with glamour and big budget chases. No, Psycho is a low budget wonderful film that explores the complex layers of the human mind. It's a very unsettling story of love, murder, madness and more. Prepare to be chilled to the bone. The cast is terrific particularly Anthony Perkins as the serious transtornated Norman Bates. Herrmann's score is his best and one of the best of all time. This movie shows how some of the finest crew in the world was at the peak of its game and delivered a masterpiece. Hitchcock's best.

Video- 3.5 Stars
When I first saw Psycho, was in a very old fulscreen transfer. Watching it again in this anamorphic transfer with rematerized quality, it's like seeing it for the very first time. It's a pretty solid transfer despite some minor grain and artifacts.

Sound- 4 Stars
Though is a 2.0 monotrack, Herrmann powerful score sound terrific here. Dialogue is also crisp and clear.

Extras- 5 Stars
Fantastic Documentary- The Making of Psycho (this documentary is in the Bonus Material Disc)
Production Photographs
The Psycho Archives
The Shower Scene
Lobby Cards
Trailers
Psycho Release: Newsreel Footage

Third Box:
The Birds- 5 Stars
This chilling story about nature's revenge is still one of the best horror films of all time. Similar to Psycho's tone, The birds is one of the most (if not the most) unsettling Hitchcock film. The clever story is presented as a romantic comedy when, without explanation, it turns to be a dark, scary one. The technical achievement that Hitch and its crew achieve in this film is superb. Dealing with real live birds and lacking the modern technology that we enjoy, they had to figure out how to do a believable plot. And they succeed in every ground. The lack of a score is really effective in setting the dark mood. The birds in the film are not mere animals, they are fully embodied characters that can think and prepare a full scale attack against humanity. The cast is nothing extraordinary but they serve the film's purpose. The Birds is one of Hitchcock's finest and most scary films. Alongside with Psycho, is a movie that will make you jump off your seat several times. Once you see this film, you will never see birds the same way.

Video- 4.5 Stars
The Birds looks spectacular in this new transfer. Some minor grain appears occassionally.

Sound- 4.5
It's a 2.0 monotrack but the birds cries sound really real. Dialogue is crisp and clear.

Extras- 5 Stars
Fantastic Documentary- All About the Birds (located in the Bonus Disc)
Production Photographs
Production Notes
Tippi Hedren Screen Tests
Trailers
Alternate Ending
Deleted Scene
The Birds is Coming-featurette
Universal Promotional Newsreel

Marnie- 4 Stars
Marnie reunites Hitchock with his Birds star and discovery Tippi Hedren. She does a really good performance as the sexually repressed and traumatized Marnie. It's a far more complex character than Melanie Daniels and she acts it brilliantly. Sean Connery is also good as Mark, his caring but somewaht obsessed husband. Marnie offers you suspense, romance but at the end is a psychological thriller and is a really good one. Herrmann score as in very Hitchcock film is brilliant. What prevents it to be greater, I think is the excess of explanation in the plot and that does not offer shocking moments like Vertigo, Psycho and The Birds. Still is a really good Hitchcock film and it's worth a look.

Video- 4.5 Stars
Excellent transfer with minor grain and some artifacts.

Sound- 4 Stars
2.0 monotrack, unimpressive but crystal clear.

Extras- 5 Stars
Nice and (surprinsingly) lengthy documentary- The Trouble with Marnie
The Marnie Archives
Trailers
Production Notes

Torn Curtain- 3 Stars
Torn Curtain has the reputation for being one of the lesser efforts by Hitchcock. After watching it, I have to say that is not completely true. Sure, Curtain is nothing compared to previous Hitchcock classics such as Rear Window, Vertigo or Psycho. But still, it manages to offer mild entertainment and suspense. Unfortunately many problems plague the picture. First, in this film Hitchcock lost many men of his usual crew with whom he delivered masterpieces. His cameraman and editor died and Bernard Herrmann was fired because Universal and Hitch wanted a more "comercial" soundtrack. I think that was a huge mistake. Herrmann had proven himself as one of the greatest composers and he had delivered excellent scores in all his Hitchcock film (The Trouble with Harry-Marnie). Firing him was the first of many mistakes with the movie. Other flaws are the characters and plot. The movie begins very slow and little suspense is shown. The first and second acts are rather dull (the murder scene is the only standout here) and makes you lost interest in the film. The third act is by far the best and here you can see that this film is pure Hitchcock. With suspense all over and chases thoughout Europe, here is where the film really rewards the viewers. I think Paul Newman and Julie Andrews are both wonderful actors but here is like they weren't trying too hard. That or the characters were very flat that they couldn't work with. Gone is the chemistry between the two leads that has been a characteristic in many Hitchcock film (Grace Kelly-James Stewart, Doris Day-James Stewart, and more). Andrews and Newman are not able to project chemistry with their performances and they seem uncomfortable between them. Nevertheless, putting aside all this negative aspects, Torn Curtain is not a completely terrible film. In fact, is rather enjoyable if you see past this shortcomings. At least is better than many other films out there and you should be pleased. But not as pleased as watching other Hitchcock films.

Video-4.5 Stars
Torn Curtain looks impresive in this transfer. Only minor grain is noticeable in some scenes. Great picture quality.

Sound-3.5 Stars
2.0 unimpressive monotrack. John Addison score is not terrible but it's not Herrmann. Nontheless dialogue is always crisp and clear without any background noises.

Extras- 5 Stars
Informartive Documentary- Torn Curtain Rising
Herrmann's Score in some scenes (great)
Production Photographs
Production Notes
Trailer

Topaz- 3.5 Stars
The 60's saw the peak and the "decline" of the Master of Suspense. Although his so called "decline" was merely from Outstanding and Excellent to Very Good. Since Marnie (which I actually enjoyed), Hitch wasn't able to connect with critics and audiences. Topaz came after the good but not great Torn Curtain and unfortunately followed that pattern (although I enjoyed this one slightly more than Curtain). Topaz is a spy thriller and the premise is a good one. Unfortunately the movie has some problems. First, the length. Running for almost 2 and a half hours, the film is too long for its own good. Many unecessary scenes and dialogue is present here. Another (minor) issue is the lack of well-known stars (many which worked with Hitch before) and that makes it more difficult to root for unknown actors. The overall acting is good but nothing extraordinary. Many loose ends plague the film, like both the husband and wife infidelities and how they happily return to each other at the end. That takes credibility from the film as does that all the "cuban" speak always in perfect english and not only with foreigners but between them when Spanish is their official language . Still, with this shortcomings, the picture has a lot of Hitchcock trademarks and many beautifully elaborate scenes (the best from Cuba). Suspense comes and goes but it will entertain you the whole picture. The ending is the most troubling issue. Filming three endings for the film, I have to say that after watching all three, none of them are completely satisfactory in wrapping up the whole picture. Still as Leonard Maltin says, second-rate Hitchcock is better than first-rate of almost everything out there. Topaz is not an instant Hitchcock classic but like every single picture of him it will entertain you (just don't expect great entertainment).

Video- 4 Stars
Topaz looks great in this transfer although some grain and artifacts are noticeable in some scenes.

Sound- 3.5 Stars
Unimpressive but clean and clear

Extras- 5 Stars
Informative Documentary- Topaz: An appreciation by Film Critic Leonard Maltin
Alternate Endings
Production Photographs
Storyboard- The Mendozas
Production Notes

Fourth Box:
Frenzy- 5 Stars
Here is where Hitch demonstrated everyone that he was still at the top of his game. Frenzy came after the good but slighlty dissapointings Torn Curtain and Topaz. Set in London, Frenzy is a return to the macabre that Hitchcock knew so well and that he did not applied in any feature film since The Birds. But if the Birds was unsettling and graphic, Frenzy is much more graphic than any Hitchcock movie. Here you will find an explicit rape and strangling scene, corpes, nudity and more. No wonder is rated R, but this does not mean is lots of fun. Full of suspense and dark humor, Frenzy is a perfectly balanced story where you will laugh, horrorized and be at the edge of your seat. Here we also have lack of stars but the actors perform their roles extraordinarily well. Frenzy is one instant Hitch classic that deserve to be up there where his classic films are. Excellent film.

Video- 4 Stars
Great transfer with minor grain and artifacts

Sound- 3. Stars
Unimpressive but clear

Extras- 5 Stars
Excellent Documentary- The Story of Frenzy
Production Photographs
Trailer
Production Notes

Family Plot- 4.5 Stars
Family plot is the last film Hitchcock directed and I must say is a really good one. It centers the story in four characters, all of them schemers but two of them use more extreme methods than the others to accomplish what they want. Family Plot is related to The Trouble with Harry, not in plot or characters but because maybe it uses dark comedy in an excellent way, pretty much like Harry. Suspense is present (as always) but it does not overflows the picture like previous entries. As Harry, Family Plot is lighthearted with some scenes that show peril. Performances here are brilliant, specially Barbara Harris as the delightful fake medium Blanche Tyler. She is the star of the film and makes it a fully enjoyable experience. Family Plot is a nice farewell from the Master of Suspense. Great film.

Video- 3.5 Stars
Surprinsigly for Hitchcok's last film, Plot look a lot more grainier than the other films , still most of the time is clean and the grain is not a distraction.

Sound- 3.5 Stars
Unimpressive but clear

Extras- 5 Stars
Excellent Documentary- Plotting Family Plot
Storyboard: The Chase Scene
Trailer
Production Photographs
Production Notes

Bonus Disc- 5 Stars
Aside of the two great documentaries of Psycho and The Birds (Listed above), you have the AFI salute to Hitchcock and an interview with him called Masters of Cinema. Everything is great.

The velvet box is beautiful as are the four boxes that hold the discs (though they might be a little delicate). A collective book giving information about each film (it has little new information) is also included.

Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Rope and the Bonus Disc are presented in their original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 Fullscreen
Rear Window is presented in 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen enhanced for 16x9 TVs
All the others are presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen enhanced for 16x9 TVs.

Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt and Psycho are in B&W
The rest is in color.

As you can see this Masterpiece Collection include great films and good films. Nonetheless all of them will entertain you and the new transfers and bonus material will please everyone. If you love Hitch, this is a fully recommended set. 5 Stars.

I just purchased this great set and the DVD transfers are Excellent.

Vertigo is outstanding.I owned some of these already.I compared them to these new releases and there is a big differance.The quality of this new set is much better.

These are not repackaged dvd's.

They have been restored and they all look much better than other past presentations.

We will never see the likes of another Hitchcock.

Nobody is better at SUSPENCE.

Everything about this set is PERFECT,except for one thing.I wish the entire AFI salute was included.There were plenty of room on the disc.

All titles and bonus materials are the same. However, every film is getting a remastering, including the previously non-anamorphic widescreen presentations of Vertigo, Psycho, etc. All new anamorphic transfers for those puppies makes Hitchcock fans happy campers!