The Birds

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The Birds

PG-13

Released Mar 28, 1963

1h 59m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

67 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) meets Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) in a San Francisco pet store and decides to follow him home. She brings with her the gift of two love birds and they strike up a romance. One day birds start attacking children at Mitch's sisters party. A huge assault starts on the town by attacking birds.

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Critics Consensus

Proving once again that build-up is the key to suspense, Alfred Hitchcock successfully turned birds into some of the most terrifying villains in horror history.

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Brendan Gill

New Yorker

Hard as it may be to believe of a Hitchcock, it doesn’t arouse suspense, which is, of course, what justifies and transforms the sadism that lies at the heart of every thriller. Here the sadism is all too nakedly, repellently present.

Aug 15, 2022

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

There’s a fair amount of beak-based eye trauma.

Aug 1, 2022

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James Powers

The Hollywood Reporter

Hitchcock prolongs his prelude to horror for more than half the film, playing with audience suspense with comedy and romance while he sets his stage. The horror when it comes is a hair-raiser ...

Mar 28, 2017

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

The Birds represents one of Hitchcock’s most admirable accomplishments.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 9, 2024

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

When you put, essentially, a creature feature like The Birds in the hands of someone as brilliant as Alfred Hitchcock, you're not getting a cheesy B-movie. Instead, you're getting quality ratcheted suspense that exudes creativity.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 16, 2024

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June Butler

Film Ireland Magazine

Both moving and unique. A masterful touch to one of the greatest film classics of all time...

Jan 22, 2024

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Kimberly C

A classic Alfred Hitchcock. A must see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/05/24

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Lauren T

It was very well done for its time. The ending was terrible.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/18/24

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Marc Z

What a different take on horror for the time. Alfred Hitchcock masterfully centers this modern horror classic around his muse, Tippie Herdron. The film is ahead of its time with its stunning visual effects, despite the fact that they may appear crude by today's standards. The film really pushed the envelope into the scary and the grisly. Rod Taylor is very compelling. The entire cast is terrific. Catch Hitchcock in his signature cameo in the opening Pet Store Scene. This is a must watch in filmmaking and horror. Aside from Psycho it is Hitchcock's most memorable film, in my opinion.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

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William B

Despite being a Hitchcock film, this doesn't arouse any suspense. It freaked me out because I deem birds attacking people as something that, while unlikely, is still within the realm of possibility.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

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Bergendi W

As I add classic movie "notches" under my metaphorical audience "belt", I find myself sadly underwhelmed after completing Hitchcock's The Birds. Throughout the building suspense of the film I thought "this would make for a great remake!" Alas, as the suspense continued to build into what I personally would describe as a very flat ending, I found my original thought changing drastically. Perhaps this "thrilling" classic was a "had to be there" type of experience. I felt the building up of relationships and character development were for naught. In the end none of it had any significance. I imagine the ending is mysterious and could be charming in a "choose your own adventure" type of way but I was quite unsatisfied with the films conclusion. The visuals were spectacular especially for the era in film, but I do feel the exceptional cinematics were overshadowed by a story line and subplot that just feels, unfinished.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/08/24

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Lucas t

While more drama than scares, The Birds delivers a delightful experience with its performances and strong plot. 8.8/10.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/08/24

Full Review

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Alfred Hitchcock

Director

Rod Taylor

Mitch Brenner

Tippi Hedren

Melanie Daniels

Suzanne Pleshette

Annie Hayworth

Jessica Tandy

Lydia Brenner

Veronica Cartwright

Cathy Brenner

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The Birds: Official Clip - The Gas Station Explosion

1:48

The Birds: Official Clip - Eyes Pecked Out

1:13

The Birds: Official Clip - I Think You're Evil!

2:53

The Birds: Official Clip - Crows Stalk the Playground

2:02

The Birds: Official Clip - Escaping The Birds

2:57

The Birds: Official Clip - Trapped in a Phone Booth

1:37

The Birds: Official Clip - The Birds Invade Through the Chimney

2:11

The Birds: Official Clip - The Seagull Attack

1:03

The Birds: Official Clip - The Birthday Party Attack

1:52

The Birds: Official Clip - Attacked in the Attic

2:55

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Synopsis

Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) meets Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) in a San Francisco pet store and decides to follow him home. She brings with her the gift of two love birds and they strike up a romance. One day birds start attacking children at Mitch's sisters party. A huge assault starts on the town by attacking birds.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Producer: Alfred Hitchcock
Screenwriter: Evan Hunter, Daphne Du Maurier
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 28, 1963, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 22, 2023
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 1, 2014
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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