Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Since the days of bargain-bin videotapes by labels like Goodtimes, I've always been wary of these "too good to be true" deals. Yet, as I am quite a fan of the films of Alfred Hitchcock, I couldn't pass this one up. And for the most part, I'm glad I gambled a few bucks.
As of this writing, the majority of these films are still in the public domain and thus, not available from companies willing to spend the time and money on a proper restoration. It's worth noting, though, that some of the best films here ARE available in near-pristine condition in the 3-disc The Alfred Hitchcock Box Set (The Ring / The Manxman / Murder! / The Skin Game / Rich and Strange). Two are available in Criterion Collections: The Lady Vanishes - Criterion Collection and The 39 Steps (Criterion Collection Spine #56), while Alfred Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn can be found in a cleaned-up version from Image. For those who don't want to shell out the considerable bucks for all those, or if you're a completist (like me) who feels the need to possess EVERY film the man made, this is a good set to own.
Audio/Video quality varies among the films, but I'd consider them all watchable. Since early sound classics like SECRET AGENT and RICH AND STRANGE aren't available in better condition elsewhere, I found the transfers here to be reasonably good. Hitch's best silent film, THE LODGER, unfortunately suffers some serious contrast issues.
The real highlight of this set, however, is nearly an hour's worth of Hitchcock movie trailers. Oddly enough, none of the films contained in the set is represented with a trailer. But they cover much of the Master's career from 1940 thru the late 60's. And the quality on the trailers is far superior to that of the films.
Bottom line: For all but the most discriminating viewer, this is a worthwhile purchase. Just don't expect the quality you'd get from the major companies.
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Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE, defined the suspense genre for moviegoersaround the globe. From his earliest films he brilliantly interwove fear,fantasy, paranoia and anticipation into an unforgettable and terrifying bodyof work. He was a highly influential British film director and producer whopioneered many techniques in the suspense and thriller genres. He directedmore than fifty feature films in a career that spanned six decades, from thesilent film era, through the invention of talkies, to the color era. He wasamong the most consistently successful and publicly recognizable directorsin the world during his lifetime, and remains one of the best known and mostpopular directors of all time, famous for his expert and largely unrivalledcontrol of pace and suspense throughout his movies.The Lady Vanishes, The Farmers Wife, The Manxman, Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Chaney Vase, Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Rich and Strange, The Thirty-Nine Steps, Secret Agent, Champagne, Blackmail, Easy Virtue, Jamaica Inn, The Lodger, The Ring, Young and Innocent, Juno and the Paycock, Sabotage, The Skin Game, Number Seventeen, The Man Who Knew Too Much.BONUS: 55 minutes of Alfred Hitchcock Movie Trailers!
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