Alfred Hitchcock: The Essential Collection [DVD]

On time, well packaged, good quality films.

After studying Psycho for my film A-Level, I realized I'd committed something of a film sin ... I'd never watched a Hitchcock film. To put things right, I bought the appropriately named Essential Alfred Hitchcock Collection. In the set, you get four of his most iconic and successful films: Rear Window, Vertigo, Psycho and The Birds.I won't go into too much detail about each one individually, as there's little I could say that hasn't already been said (and said better than I could ever put it). However, if I had to choose a favourite, it has to be Psycho - a film that truly earns it iconic status, has aged phenomenally well, and is a masterclass of filmmaking. Meanwhile, The Birds proves why Hitchcock is called "The Master Of Suspense", and after a lot of entertaining, suspenseful build-up, he lets loose with surprisingly brutal and unexplained bird attacks. Rear Window makes for absorbing viewing, and sees the return of this same suspense while also tapping into and satisfying our subconscious desire to see and know about the affairs of others. Vertigo ends up becoming a plot shrouded in mystery, twists and thrills, and while I'd argue it's probably the weakest of the four films, it's still an amazing feat of filmmaking, with a flawless final act.If you've never watched anything from Hitchcock, as was the case with me, then this is probably the best start you could ask for, and you get four brilliant films in a nicely-presented box set.

Good value

Loads of classic

What more can you ask rear window the birds physco

As Box Sets and "Essential Collections" go, this one is right up there with the very best. The four films included are all fantastic, the DVDs are excellent, each comes in its own case and each is jam packed with extra features including making of featurettes, cast and crew interviews and restoration documentaries. I got an awful lot more than I was expecting and I loved watching it all.My two favourites among the films are Rear Window and Vertigo, and as it happens, both are presented in a stunning restored version in the original aspect ratio. The Birds has nice picture quality and vibrant colours, but unfortunately is presented in a cropped 1.33 : 1 format. It's not a huge problem for me, but fans of this particular film may be disappointed. The bonus material about this film is, however, particularly interesting. Psycho is in black and white, the picture quality is serviceable, the sound is good, aspect ratio is the original 1.85 : 1.

Nice collection of the Greats.Excellent value.👍

Hitchcock was one of the greatest directors of all time. Fantastic collection of films.