Customer Reviews

The Art of Alfred Hitchcock: Fifty Years of His Motion Pictures

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Daniel Spoto is well known for his fascinating biography of Alfred Hitchcock. "The Art of Alfred Hitchcock" fleshes out The Master every bit as much as the biography, but in a different way.

What makes this book a must for Hitchcock fans and, in particular, those interested in studying his mastery of the film craft, is that Spoto, bolstered by many interview hours with Hitchcock, is able to get inside a creative film genius' mind and give us an idea of how he explored his basic themes as well as the manner in which he manipulated audiences through exploiting his unique brand of suspense. Spoto also gives us a look into the technical side of the master film craftsman, letting us know how he kept audiences mesmerized with compelling scenes such as the killing of Janet Leigh in "Psycho" and those incredible special effects in "The Birds" in which it appeared that the winged creatures were about to lay total siege to the previously serene Northern California town of Bodega Bay.

In addition to what he actually did, Donald Spoto is also to be commended for something he did not do. In so many retrospectives of film greats, be they directors or performers, authors believe in devoting an equal or relatively equal amount of space to every movie with which they were involved. Thankfully Spoto did not do this, devoting greater attention to the classic Hitchcock movies that generated the most discussion among filmgoers and cinema historians. Not surprisingly for those who have studied Hitchcock's films, Spoto regards "Vertigo" starring James Stewart and Kim Novak as Hitchcock's most complete and artistic work and explains why, providing excellent insight into the film in the process.

Another film that continues generating widespread praise in the Hitchcock oeuvre for its technical genius and inventive plot and characterization is "Notorious" starring the dynamite team of Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. Spoto covers this screen classic with comprehensive scrutiny.

Spoto covers the wide sweep of Hitchcock's career. We move from his beginnings in London in silent films and are finally transported to Hollywood and Hitchcock's impressive debut for producer David O. Selznick with "Rebecca".

We got this book from the library and it's definitely one I want to own someday. Donald Spoto writes about almost every Hitchcock film individually from the 30's onward - he also has a chapter discussing the earlier films. He gives a synopsis as well as delves into the deeper meanings, symbolism, and significance of the films. There are portions of dialogue in several of the chapters, as well as many black and white photos from the films. I found the write-ups for almost all of the films to be very good and informative.

You definitely should read this book. It's not hard to read at all. I'd also recommend Mr Spoto's biography of Ingrid Bergman, "Notorious". In relation more directly to Hitchcock, I would recommend "Hitchcock's Notebooks" by Dan Auiler as the second best Hitchcock book I've read.

Anyone wanting to explore the art of Hitchcock's movies doesn't have to look any further. I have four large bookshelves stretching from floor to ceiling with nothing but books about Alfred Hitchcock so I'm posting my review of the three best books about Sir Alfred. This is one of those three books. Mr. Spoto has accomplished a superb analysis of the Master's films. All you need to do is watch one of Hitchcock's movies, read a chapter describing that particular movie, and you'll realize just how crafty Hitchcock was when he designed and filmed his features. Recommended.

Everything you always wanted to know about the films of Alfred Hitchcock, but were afraid to ask; this book is a must. Hitchcock biographer Donald Spoto (The Dark Side of Genius) reviews everyone of this film giants movies, from his silent films made and produced in his native England, to his final feature released in 1976. Filled with great insight and behind-the-scenes details, this is a wonderful read. Classic films get major treatment as you might expect, but so-called minor Hitchcock movies like Stage Fright, I Confess, and Marnie are thoroughly covered as well. This book just goes to prove that minor Hitchcock is better than most other directors' best work. Filled with wonderful movie stills, this book also features some interesting on-set photos, as well as personal family portraits of Hitchcock at various stages of his life. No other film director is so much a part of American popular culture. It's hard to imagine what American cinema would be like without him. A great reference for movie buffs, I've read and reread this book many, many times and gained new insight with each reading.

Be warned: this review is about the first edition of Mr. Spoto's book. I have not read the second edition so I cannot comment on whether it extensively revises the first edition or not. Hitchcock's films from the late 30s on are thoroughly discussed. Each film is given a good summary followed by a critical analysis. The summaries are accurate and the analyses are terrific. Mr. Spoto deals with Hitchcock's themes, use of symbols, and directorial techniques. Not only does he cover these for each film, but he discusses how they turn up time and again in the films. This book is a fine example of how to write criticism (and I mean criticism in the general sense of the term). A fine book that should be in every film lovers collection.

Shortly after Donald Spoto completed his book, Alfred Hitchcock read the book and then had a lunch with the author. He agreed with almost everything in the book about Spoto's scholarly approach to the movies Hitchcock directed. If you ever want to study the master's work, watch one of his movies and then read the chapter devoted to that movie (almost all of his movies are featured in this book) and you'll learn stuff you did not know. That's what makes this a good book. Now . . . Spoto did write a second book on Hitchcock, a biography, but avoid that because there is so many mistakes and many people who worked with Hitchcock personally on his movies lost friendships with other actors and technicians that it's best to avoid that book. But this one is one of the three must-reads devoted to Hitchcock.

(The other two must-reads are the Francois Traffaut book and Grams and Wikstrom's "The Alfred Hitchcock Presents Companion". Together with these two and this book, you have the essential library and all-you-really-need references for all things Hitchcock.)

Next to Truffaut's book on Hitchcock this has to be up there with the best of them. I have a number of different books on filmmakers and on film theory and this has to be one of the best. Spoto breaks down every film Hithchcock made into seperate chapters. He gives, what I thought to be amazing insight into "Marnie" and "Rear Window" especially. Hitchcock's films are so complex and deep that they need thorough inspection and analyzation. Spoto does a superb job. Get this book if you love Hitch and you love film theory.

Donald Spoto's original edition of "The Art of Alfred Hitchcock: 50 Years of his Motion Pictures" is presented to us from a relatively young author with a passion for Hitchcock and cinema - and it shows. Througholy readable, the book comes from the standpoint of a relatively uncolored point-of-view. Spoto has disected every single Hitchcock film, and given us a wonderfull and brilliant look into the films of Hitchcock. Spoto is young, and doesn't include any bias opinions in this read. His second edition, which is more widely available is all right, but it shows a more biast side that is along the lines of his other Hitchcock work, the biography titled "The Dark Side of Genius". "Genius" presents us with a complicated, almost tortured artist - a man with personal problems, and as such he translates his life onto the screen. Although much of what Spoto has written about Hitchcock is relatively true, I think Spoto paints too harsh a picture in that respect, and to an extent his work and opinions from the biography show up in the revised edition of "The Art of Alfred Hitchcock." The first edition is a wonderful look into a man and his work, from a young, admiring student. And when discovering Hitchcock and his work - we want that unbiased look.

The wonderful thing about authors, artists and directors who acheive success and notoriaty in their careers is the fact that they can go back and revisit earlier works by revising or redoing them. Alfred Hitchcock did this when he re-did his own film "The Man Who Knew Too Much," George Lucas has also done this by updating and adding to his "Star Wars" Movies as well as his movie "American Graffiti." And author Donald Spoto tries to do the same with his monumental work writen when he was younger called "The Art of Alfred Hitchcock: 50 Years of his Motion Pictures." Unfortunately too much of his opinions on Hitchcock as a dark man appear in this new addition. As a result Spoto has dappened much of his own original enthusiasm he had for the work of Hitchcock. Spoto looks at the film more as a respected critic than a youthful admirer, and when it comes to being introduced to Hitchcock, you want to hear it from the enthusiastic, youthful admirer. But unfortunately all that is largely available is the second edition, and if you don't want to try ordering the original, which can be hard to find, then do get this edition. It's still a fascinating look into every single Hitchcock film, and it's still very readable and understandable for anyone, be they a passive film goer, or a deep Hitchcock admirer. It's full of pictures and witty, sharp humor and the insights are plentiful. Also included still are some of Hitchcock's storyboards, showing the meticulas thought Hitchcock put into all of his work. There is also an added bonus of more pictures at the end of the book, including a forward as to why Spoto chose to update his work. Like I said though, Spoto has sprinkled too much of his own personal opinions of the director when really we just want to read about the work.

A comprehensive analysis and criticism of each of the films directed by Hitchcock from around 1925 until his death, written by an author that feels that Hitchcock was one of the few true artists involved in Hollywood film-making during the "Golden Age". This book has been revised from the original edition of more than 30 years ago, and according to the author's introduction with new information and insights.
As a few people have noted, two more books have been released by Donald Spoto on Hitchcock that delve into Hitchcock's personal life . This volume has only some brief biographical information, and focuses entirely on his film output with a little background information on film casting and production.

What I liked about this book is that the individual analyses were concise and to the point. Spoto is passionate and opinionated about Hitchcock's films, and he does not shrink from making bold statements about Hitchcock's intended themes and symbols. He develops a consistent pattern of criticism, and clearly expresses his ideas with extensive examples from the movies. Perhaps the language of criticism takes itself a little too seriously for the movie buff( of which I include myself), but the book avoids the type of avant-garde film theory that is fashionable among some critics.

Spoto grants Hitchcock an exalted status among Golden Age directors for artistic merit, and as a scholar Mr Spoto is very precise and detailed in making his case. Despite the almost evangelical tone to the book, Spoto states in the introduction that his interpretation is not meant to be the final word on Hitchcock, or his flms. While I am not sure how sincere the comment is, it is an acknowledgement of sorts to the strong viewpoints that follow. Whether you agree with the analyses, or Spoto's contentions on Hitchcock as the artist, the book is well-written and makes for informative reading.

Many people consider this one of the best and most accessible of the books on Hitchcock's films. Apparently, Hitchcock liked it so much that he invited Spoto onto the set of what would be his final film. Worth a look if you love Hollywood film, probably a must read if you love Hitchcock.