Customer Reviews

Ultimate Hitchcock Collection

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Ultimate Hitchcock Collection (18 films, 2 TV shows on 6 DVDs)

SOURCE: St. Clair Entertainment Vision; UPC 777966861494; DVD Release 02/27/2007

Contains:

Disk #1: Jamaica Inn/Young and Innocent/The Skin Game/Hitchcock Presents: The Sorcerer's Apprentice (TV)

Disk #2: The Manxman/Juno and the Paycock/Champagne/Hitchcock Presents: The Cheney Vase (TV)

Disk #3: The Farmer's Wife/Easy Virtue/The Ring

Disk #4: Blackmail/The Lady Vanishes/Rich and Strange

Disk #5: Sabotage/Secret Agent/The 39 Steps

Disk #6: Number 17/The Man Who Knew Too Much/The Lodger

NOTE:

Disks 1-3 previously issued 9/2006 by St. Clair as Hitchcock favorites, UPC 777966873695

Disks 4-6 previously issued 1/2005 by St. Clair as The Hitchcock collection, UPC 777966883793

These two earlier sets are available separately from Amazon for about $10 each.

All three sets are unremastered reissues (in 5.1 sound) from public domain (PD) films. Considering the low price for 18 films from Hitchcock's British period (1922-39), the fact that some of the early films are of less than maximal interest to the casual Hitchcock fan, who prefers his 50s and 60s movies, and the fact that this set has some interesting extra features, this is good value for the money. Quality is variable, however, as with all PD issues. The two most watchable films (39 Steps, Lady Vanishes) are available from Criterion at considerable expense.

20 June 2007 update (original review 6 Apr.): The 6 DVDs are included in 6 DVD slim cases, each of which has on the back side brief information on the films. The slim cases are housed in a lightweight cardboard slipcase. DVD cases and slipcase are white, making Hitchcock look like a kindly old uncle. Black suits him better. However, this St. Clair edition is very nicely done.

Incidentally, St. Clair recently reissued some of its other material in similar (white, slim cases, etc.) appearing sets: sets on film noir, westerns, WWII, romance, silent greats, horror, etc.

With the notable exception of "Murder!" (1930) and several not-yet-released titles, this 2007 set from St. Clair has virtually all the British output from Mr. Hitchcock. Compared to the out-of-print Laserlight collection from 1999 (which did include "Murder!"), this set adds "Juno and the Paycock" and the hard to find "Champagne".

For anyone wanting to watch the films in chronological order, these dates are from IMDd:

* The Lodger (1927)

* The Ring (1927)

* Easy Virtue (1927)

* The Farmer's Wife (1928)

* Champagne (1928)

* Blackmail (1929) - his first sound film; a classic!

* The Manxman (1929)

* Juno and the Paycock (1930)

* The Skin Game (1931)

* Rich and Strange (1932)

* Number 17 (1932)

* The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)

* The 39 Steps (1935)

* Secret Agent (1936)

* Sabotage (1936)

* Young and Innocent (1937)

* The Lady Vanishes (1938)

* Jamaica Inn (1939) - last British box office hit before moving to Hollywood and directing the wonderful "Rebecca"(1940)

Extra features include: Sorcerer's Apprentice (TV 1963), Cheney Vase (TV 1955), Hitchcock posters, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (radio), Hitchcock trailers, a rare radio appearance, and a documentary. Although the movies are too early to be formally rated, St. Clair has added designations that should be helpful to parents (not suitable for children, may be unsuitable, suitable for children, adult situations, etc.) What a bargain for a Hitchcock fan!

I got so much entertainment for the money with this early Hitchcock collection! Some of the silent selections were so amusing! I think of Hitchcock as being only a suspense director but these selections show his range of directorial ability. Although there are amusing scenes in the later films, I never really appreciated Hitchcock's sense of humor until I saw these early films.

I was reading 'Hitchcock' by Truffaut and I realised that I didn't know the early days of Mr. Alfred Hitchcock. Now, with this edition I have the opportunity to see the movies after reading the chapter about each film.

A excellent edition with a fantastic price.

Don't miss it!

excellent selection of films from the past

just the thing i like to watch

excellent value

Amazon supplied this item when no one else could

Item arrived on time and in good condition. I am completely satisfied with this transaction and would buy again from this vendor.

Does anyone know what films will be included on this collection? Otherwise, sort of shooting in the dark to purchase. Obviously, ignore the rating....I am hopeful it may turn out to be 4 stars.