Between the early 1920’s and 1976, Alfred Hitchcock directed more than 60 films. While the overall quality of these films is somewhat of a mixed bag, but most of the films were so good as to firmly plant the name ‘Hitchcock’ in moviegoer’s minds as the master of suspense. The most famous of these is without a doubt “Psycho”, which is still considered to be one of the greatest suspense films of all time. Some even think of it as a horror film, going as far as to remember it being especially gory. And this is where the mastery of Hitchcock’s direction is made a perfect example. Those choosing to revisit the Bates Motel after so many years may notice that you never once see a knife blade ever penetrate the skin. There is no ‘gore’ to speak of. Hitchcock was also known as an extremely creative director who opted to try new techniques when and where he could. He was also, at time, unconventional in his approach to filmmaking.

Take the film, “The Birds” for example. I saw the film dozens of times in my youth, but it wasn’t until I was in my twenties that someone pointed out that the entire film is shot without a musical score. I thought that couldn’t be right… surely I would have noticed. The next time the film aired on TV, I tuned in and was shocked to find that there was indeed, no music.

Then there was “Rope”, in which two men commit what they consider to be the perfect murder. They go so far as to hide the body of their ‘friend’ in a cabinet in their apartment, then invite family and friends over for dinner… just to heighten the thrill of the kill with the possibility of discovery. The film was based on a stage play, so Hitchcock opted to shoot the movie in one continuous shot. Or at least give the impression that it was. Extremely long scenes were shot, where the actors and the camera had to act in tandem in order to create the illusion of fluidity. When it came time to change the shot, the camera would pass close behind someone’s back, and then continue on. Filmgoer’s at the time that were not as familiar with these types of camera tricks were amazed, however watching it now it is fairly easy to catch these cuts. It was still quite a feat, not just for the director, but for the cast and crew who undoubtedly had to endure long rehearsals in order to shoot scenes as long as the ones used here.

I’ve long wanted to collect the works of Alfred Hitchcock, and it looks like I’m finally going to have my chance. Universal is releasing what I hope will be the first of a ‘Masterpiece Collection’ of his films. (They are also doing it the same week as the release of the first season Hitchcock’s anthology TV series…) This gorgeous box set, which is quite large, with a velvet-like covering, embossed with the familiar Hitchcock silhouette logo. Inside you’ll find 5 disc holders, each holding 4 DVDs (except for the last one which only holds 3). You get 14 movies in all, then a bonus disc. There is also a 36 page booklet, which is a nice addition, but it only has pictures and posters. There’s very little text content.

The movies included offer quite an array of his work, and includes some of his best mixed in with some of his… well, lesser endeavors. These include, “Saboteur”, “Shadow of a Doubt”, “Rope”, “Rear Window”, “The Man Who Knew Too Much”, “The Trouble with Harry”, “Vertigo”, “Psycho”, “The Birds”, “Marnie”, “Torn Curtain”, “Topaz”, “Frenzy” and “Family Plot.”

Just as the films themselves offer a variety of quality in terms of filmmaking, the transfers also offer a variety. Most of the films look and sound great, but there are still some occasional glitches and some graininess. Most notably, when I was watching “Rope”, there were several scenes where I would see flashes coming from the bottom of the image. It wasn’t anything too horrible since it only happens a few times, but they were still quite noticeable. I also was a bit disappointed to see the transfer of “Psycho” showing more grain than I am used to seeing. The usually razor sharp image appears a little hazier in this pressing. It is still watchable, but noticeably dulled.

What really makes this collection eminently… well… collectible is the tremendous amount of extra features available. If you look at the list below, you’ll no doubt get dizzy with anticipation in watching these DVDs. Each film comes with its own share of behind the scenes featurettes or trailers and the like. Then when you get to the final disc, you’ll find an excerpt from the AFI Achievement Awards dinner for Hitchcock as well as an entertaining interview from the Masters of Cinema. It was interesting to see that a couple of the documentaries for the feature films were included on this final disc (“The Birds” and “Psycho”).

“Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection” is not by any means an inexpensive set, however you might want to keep in mind that you are getting 14 full feature films from the Master of Suspense. This is a collection for big-time Hitchcock fans, and I for one hope to see a few more like it.

The Films and Extra Features:
Saboteur
Saboteur: A Closer Look
Storyboards
Alfred Hitchcock's Sketches
Production Photographs
Theatrical Trailer
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers

Shadow of A Doubt
Beyond Doubt: The Making of Hitchcock's Favorite Film
Production Drawings
Production Photographs
Theatrical Trailer
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers

Rope
Rope Unleashed
Production Photographs
Theatrical Trailer
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers

Rear Window
Rear Window Ethics: An Original Documentary
A Conversation with Screenwriter John Michael Hayes
Production Photographs
Theatrical Trailer
Re-Release Trailer Narrated by James Stewart
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers

The Trouble with Harry
The Trouble with Harry Isn't Over
Production Photographs
Theatrical Trailer
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers
The Man Who Knew Too Much

The Making of the Man Who Knew Too Much
Production Photographs
Theatrical Trailer
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers

Vertigo
Obsessed with Vertigo
Feature Commentary with Associate Producer Herbert Coleman, Restoration Team Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz and Other Vertigo Participants
Original Theatrical Trailer
Restoration Theatrical Trailer
Hitchcock's Foreign Censorship Ending
The Vertigo Archive
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers

Psycho
The Making of Psycho
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers
Theatrical Trailer
Re-Release Trailers
Newsreel Footage: The Release of "Psycho"
The Shower Scene: With and Without Music
Archives
Production Photographs
Behind-the-Scenes Photographs
The Shower Scene: Storyboards by Saul Bass
Lobby Cards
Posters and "Psycho" Ads

The Birds
All About The Birds Featurette
Deleted Scenes
The Original Ending
Storyboards
Tippi Hedren's Screen Test
The Birds Is Coming (Universal International Newsreel)
Suspense Story: National Press Club Hears Hitchcock (Universal International Newsreel)
Production Photographs
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers
Theatrical Trailer

Marnie
The Trouble with Marnie
Archives
Theatrical Trailer
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers

Torn Curtain
Torn Curtain Rising
Scenes Scored by Bernard Herrmann
Production Photographs
Theatrical Trailer
Cast and Filmmakers

Topaz
Topaz: An Appreciation by Film Historian and Critic Leonard Maltin
Alternate Endings
Storyboards: The Mendozas
Production Photographs
Theatrical Trailer
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers

Frenzy
The Story of Frenzy
Production Photographs
Theatrical Trailer
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers

Family Plot
Plotting Family Plot
Storyboards: The Chase Scene
Production Photographs
Theatrical Trailers
Production Notes
Cast and Filmmakers

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Extras: Supplements: 36-page book (just photos, posters, credits and a few notes). Fourteen documentaries and nine featurettes, including: The Story of Frenzy; Plotting Family Plot; The Trouble With Harry Isn't Over; The Making of The Man Who Knew Too Much; Obsessed with Vertigo; Newsreel Footage: The Release of Psycho; Saboteur: A Closer Look; Beyond Doubt: The Making of Hitchcock's Favorite Film; Rope Unleashed; Rear Window Ethics: An Original Documentary; The Birds Is Coming; The Trouble with Marnie; Torn Curtain Rising; Topaz: An Appreciation by Leonard Maltin; Storyboards, Production photographs, Trailers. Bonus Disc: AFI Salute to Alfred Hitchcock; Masters of Cinema: Alfred Hitchcock; All About The Birds; The Making of Psycho
Specifications:
Studio: Universal
Release Date: 10/04/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: Various
Website

We'll give Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection an A.