Dove Review

“Alfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense” is an insightful look at the king of directors and his famous suspense movies. The documentary features many clips of his work, including not only his most famous films such as “Psycho” and “The Birds,” but also clips from his earliest works such as “The Lodge” and “The Lady Vanishes,” for which he won the New York Film Critics’ coveted Best Director award.

This film provides important background information about his birth in England, outside of London, on April 13, 1899, and his eventual marriage to his wife Alma, who wrote some of the screenplays he directed. The film also mentions the birth of his daughter and his greatest successes, along with a few clunkers and disappointments along the way. In addition, the story talks about Hitchcock moving to Hollywood and his work with David O. Selznick, as well as his eventual trek into the world of television. In a comedic clip, Jerry Lewis impersonates Hitchcock. The documentary shares trivia, such as the fact that Hitchcock became an American citizen.

This fascinating look at one of Hollywood’s all-time best, Oscar-nominated directors is well worth the time invested in viewing it. We are pleased to award it our Dove Family Approved Seal for ages 12-plus. Enjoy the clips, the humorous introductions to his TV series, and this fascinating look into the life of this legendary man.

Dove Rating Details

0

Faith

None

0

Integrity

A lot of clips of guns being held on people; guns being fired; a few characters have knives in their backs; a bomb goes off in a film clip; a woman slaps a man; a decapitated head is briefly visible, but the scene is not gratuitous; the mention of chopping off a finger; an unstable young man, who sees a magician cut a woman in half in a box, and then tries the stunt for real; a drawing of an arrow through a bird's body; Hitchcock displays a shotgun; a photograph of Hitchcock with a gun in his mouth, and a photo of him with a gun to his head; a bird nips at Hitchcock's finger.

2

Sex

Several clips of men and women kissing; the mention of a film containing sex and suspense; one clip shows a man getting fresh with a woman against her will.

2

Language

D-1

2

Violence

A lot of clips of guns being held on people; guns being fired; a few characters have knives in their backs; a bomb goes off in a film clip; a woman slaps a man; a decapitated head is briefly visible, but the scene is not gratuitous; the mention of chopping off a finger; an unstable young man, who sees a magician cut a woman in half in a box, and then tries the stunt for real; a drawing of an arrow through a bird's body; Hitchcock displays a shotgun; a photograph of Hitchcock with a gun in his mouth, and a photo of him with a gun to his head; a bird nips at Hitchcock's finger.

2

Drugs

Several scenes featuring smoking, including pipes, cigarettes and cigars; a lobby poster features a woman smoking a cigarette; several drinking scenes; the mention of an actor who struggled with a drug addiction; the mention of wine; the mention of hanging around bar rooms.

1