The Birds, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is about a San Francisco socialite named Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) sets out on a road trip to pursue Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor), whom she met at a pet store, all the way to his hometown in Bodega Bay, where she will be in the middle of bizarre and unexplained events as birds of all kinds begin to attack people. What caught my attention at the beginning of the film was the fact that there was a lack of a soundtrack. Off the bat, I found it very unnerving and weird that the opening title sequence all the viewers get to hear is the multitude of birds flapping around. Jeff Saporito also finds it interesting as he also states that "Throughout the entirety of The Birds, there is no score -- only the chirping madness of the looming and growing threat". As a fan of thriller, horror, and suspenseful films, it was always obvious to me that when eerie music or intense instrumentals started playing, that something was about to go down/jump scares once the music gets cut off, or is uncomfortably loud. So, when I was watching this movie, I personally found it cool that Hitchcock avoided a score, but also discovered that a lack of a score is just as creepy as if there was one. Watching this scene (above) unfold was a complete shock and as I stated before, I found it unnerving as there was no background music when Dan's pecked out eyes were in frame Moving onward, I found the symbolism of being caged quite fitting, intentional, and needed for this film. Saporito talks about how within the pet store "all around her (Melanie), birds are caged and confined, giving the illusion they are under the control of humans". Even within this scene, the birds are anything but quiet, where Mitch even asks if Melanie feels awful for having the innocent birds all caged up. Further in the film, Melanie seeks protection in a telephone booth as swarms of birds attack once again. This time, Melanie seeking safety and being confined in the booth, thus representing her being stuck in a cage figuratively- to which Jason Bovberg is able to conclude to as well. Birds, described as not being aggressive creatures by Mrs. Brundy (Ethel Griffies), are demonstrating the opposite as they deliberately attempt to get in the booth and peck or scratch at Melanie. It is a this point where the human loses control over an animal deemed harmless, and to protect themselves, they must ironically cage themselves up. It is as if the birds are attacking and becoming aggressive for their fellow birds (other species) who have get to live in captivity within a cage, attempting to give humans a piece of their own medicine. Overall, I found this film to be very intriguing. I can't deny that I did laugh at some scenes throughout the movie, such as when the two lovebirds swayed in the direction the car was moving (just like James Powell found hilarious), or when the over dramatice screams or running occured. I won't say that I entirely loved the film, but I can say that I like the idea of Hitchcock intentionally opting for an open-ended ending, using high angle shots, and his choice of having a lack of a score to build uneasiness. Thanks for reading another FILM talk!
Here is where I gathered my information: Hitchcock Conversations: "The Birds" (1963) Space in The Birds
6 Comments
Miranda Miscinski
4/6/2019 10:23:58 pm
I really enjoyed reading your blog, as I noticed a lot of the same valuable techniques that you discussed! I think that Hitchcock's ability to show the struggle for power and control between the humans of Bodega Bay and the attacking birds through his use of framing and the concept of cages was very impressive and effective. This cinematic technique was intricate and intentional, and absolutely enhanced the progression of the film. All viewers can relate to the helplessness and claustrophobic feeling they get in times of struggle and tension, making many of the attacks feel relatable (despite the slightly outdated appearance of the movie). Your interpretation of the "cage" framing of this movie helped enhance my understanding of Hitchcock's vision with The Birds!
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Mary Kajmowicz
4/7/2019 10:26:59 am
I agree with your thoughts about the characters being "caged" both figuratively (Melanie with society) and literally (in the house at the end) and I hadn't thought about the birds representing the flip in roles. The people are now caged and the birds are free to have control and attack at will. Interesting blog!
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Chris Toth
4/7/2019 12:47:21 pm
Hello! I very much enjoyed your blog. I loved your choice of youtube scenes. I think the scene where it is seen the first person killed and his eyes are pecked out was a very intense and jaw dropping scene. It made you realize how serious the situation was and how many people were in danger of these birds pecking them to death. You also pointed out the signs of symbolism in your blog. I thought that was very interesting and a great catch by you that many people probably looked over. I really enjoyed your blog, I thought you saw and realized things that many people did not.
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4/7/2019 04:58:45 pm
Hi Victoria I really liked and could relate to your post about the film the birds. I would have to disagree with you about the ending paragraph where you explain how you like hitchcocks way of concluding the movie. It left me believing this was one of his lower quality films
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Jordan Diedrick
4/7/2019 09:49:31 pm
I like your comparison of Melanie being trapped in the phone booth as birds swarmed her to how the movie began. The fact that the birds' aggressiveness is never fully explained is one of the main reasons I enjoy the film as it leaves it open to constant interpretation. Are they getting revenge on humans for the latter's treatment of their kind or they being controlled by some unknown force?
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Brian
4/8/2019 09:03:51 am
I'm glad you discussed the absence of musical score, Victoria. For a film released in 1963, that's a pretty bold thing to do. Films in the classic Hollywood era are pretty heavily scored, especially suspense films like this one. So, for Hitchcock to decide to not use one would have been especially disorienting for an audience at the time of its release; that it still has that effect today is a testament to the power of that individual choice.
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