The life and work of Alfred Hitchcock: every film in order, from The Lodger to The Birds
Who was Alfred Hitchcock? His life and essential films in order, from The Lodger and Rebecca to Rear Window, Vertigo, Psycho and The Birds, with his style, his cameos and where to start.
Alfred Hitchcock was a British-born director, born on August 13, 1899, in London, who died on April 29, 1980, in Los Angeles. Known as the Master of Suspense, he made Rear Window, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho and The Birds, and appeared in a quick cameo in most of his films. This guide follows his career film by film, with posters, so you can see where to start.
Alfred Hitchcock at a glance
- Born: August 13, 1899, in London, England (died April 29, 1980, in Los Angeles)
- Known for: Rear Window, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho and The Birds
- Signature: suspense built on what the audience knows, the innocent person wrongly accused, the famous cameo and the scores of Bernard Herrmann
- Honors: the Oscar for Best Picture for Rebecca, five nominations for Best Director without a win, and a knighthood in 1980
Early life and career
Hitchcock began in British silent films in the 1920s and became a star director in England with The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes. In 1939 he moved to Hollywood, where he made his most famous films. In the 1950s he also became a television name as the host of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
The films, era by era
The Lodger (1927)
A London landlady fears her new lodger is a serial killer. It is the film Hitchcock called his first true thriller and where he made his first cameo.
The 39 Steps (1935)
A man wrongly accused of murder flees across Scotland with a woman handcuffed to him. It is the model for many later chase thrillers.
The Lady Vanishes (1938)
A woman disappears on a train and no one believes she existed. A sharp, funny thriller that made Hitchcock famous in Britain.
Rebecca (1940)
A young bride arrives at a mansion haunted by the memory of her husband's first wife. His first Hollywood film, it won the Oscar for Best Picture.
Notorious (1946)
Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant in a story of spies, love and poison. It holds one of cinema's most famous long kisses.
Strangers on a Train (1951)
Two strangers meet on a train and one proposes swapping murders. A tense, clever thriller from a novel by Patricia Highsmith.
Rear Window (1954)
James Stewart is stuck in a wheelchair and suspects his neighbor of murder. Almost the whole film is shot from one apartment, and it plays with the audience as voyeurs.
Vertigo (1958)
A retired detective afraid of heights becomes obsessed with a woman, with James Stewart and Kim Novak. In recent years it has topped some critics' lists of the greatest films ever made.
North by Northwest (1959)
An advertising man is mistaken for a spy and chased across the country, with Cary Grant. It has the famous crop duster scene and the finale on Mount Rushmore.
Psycho (1960)
A secretary on the run stops at an isolated motel run by Norman Bates. Its shower scene and score changed horror forever.
The Birds (1963)
Birds begin attacking a small California town without explanation. Hitchcock's most unexplained horror film is also one of his most imitated.
Alfred Hitchcock movies in order
- The Lodger (1927)
- The 39 Steps (1935)
- The Lady Vanishes (1938)
- Rebecca (1940)
- Notorious (1946)
- Strangers on a Train (1951)
- Rear Window (1954)
- Vertigo (1958)
- North by Northwest (1959)
- Psycho (1960)
- The Birds (1963)
What defines a Alfred Hitchcock film?
- Suspense, not surprise. He liked to show the audience the bomb under the table, so they wait in dread.
- The wrong man. Innocent people are chased, accused or trapped in situations they do not understand.
- Visual storytelling. He planned each shot in advance, used the camera as the audience's eye and worked with composer Bernard Herrmann.
Frequently asked questions about Alfred Hitchcock
Who is Alfred Hitchcock?
Alfred Hitchcock was a British-born director, born on August 13, 1899, in London, who died on April 29, 1980, in Los Angeles. Known as the Master of Suspense, he made Rear Window, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Psycho and The Birds, and appeared in a quick cameo in most of his films. This guide follows his career film by film, with posters, so you can see where to start.
When and where was Alfred Hitchcock born?
Alfred Hitchcock was born on August 13, 1899, in London, England, and died on April 29, 1980, in Los Angeles.
What is Alfred Hitchcock's best movie?
There is no single answer. Vertigo, Rear Window and Psycho are the titles critics cite most, while North by Northwest is often the crowd favorite. Rate them on Rankiew to build your own ranking.
Which Alfred Hitchcock movie should I watch first?
Start with Rear Window for a perfect thriller, North by Northwest for adventure and humor, Psycho for horror and Vertigo when you want his most haunting film.
Did Alfred Hitchcock win the Oscar for Best Director?
No. Hitchcock was nominated for Best Director five times but never won. Rebecca (1940) won the Oscar for Best Picture, which is awarded to the producer.
Rate every Alfred Hitchcock movie
Which one is your favorite? On Rankiew you can rate every film, write reviews and build your own list of Alfred Hitchcock movies.
Sources: official studio releases, filmographies and public records.
