The Birds

1963
PG-13
1h 59m

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

210K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer5:13

Drama Horror Mystery Romance

A wealthy San Francisco socialite pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack ... Read allA wealthy San Francisco socialite pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people.A wealthy San Francisco socialite pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

210K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

1,204

743

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 5 wins & 7 nominations total

Trivia
When audiences left the U.K. premiere at the Odeon, Leicester Square, London, they were greeted by the sound of screeching and flapping birds from loudspeakers hidden in the trees to scare them further.

Goofs
After two birds break the glass on the phone booth, it appears that the glass isn't shattered when Melanie is grabbed out of it.

Quotes
Mother in Diner: [to Melanie] Why are they doing this? Why are they doing this? They said when you got here the whole thing started. Who are you? What are you? Where did you come from? I think you're the cause of all of this. I think you're evil. EVIL!

Crazy credits
There were no ending credits. And in the opening credits the title "THE BIRDS" was slowly pecked away by the passing crows.

Alternate versions
The Australian theatrical version removed 25 seconds of the bloodied farmer with eyes pecked out to gain a 'Suitable Only For Adults' rating in Australia. It was later re-classified 'PG' in its uncut version.

Connections
Edited into Cada ver es... (1981)

Soundtracks
Rissle-dy, Rossle-dy
(uncredited)
("I married my wife in the month of June")
Derived from the traditional Scottish folk song "The Wee Cooper o'Fife"
Additional lyrics by Evan Hunter
Sung by the schoolchildren

User reviews665

Review

Featured review

A Masterpiece

Another film to prove that Hitchcock really was one of the most gifted film makers ever. His films are more 'fresh' today than any of current Hollywood megabuster.

The screeching bird soundtrack in itself was chilling.

The absence of backgound music added a sense of calm before the storm which made the bird attack scenes all the more intense.

The film builds up slowly and that serves to build up the tension and edginess.

The most chilling scene was definitely when Melanie (Tippi Hedren) was waiting outside the school while the singing was going on in the school. At each loop of the song, a few more crows would perch on the climbing frame. The site of them was truly grotesque. This scene is a lesson to all the "subtle as a sledge hammer" so called 'thrillers' that are churned out today.

By the end of the film, there is no conclusion, no neat result. It is somewhat uncomfortable watching a film like this and not seeing a conclusion. How will it end? Why did the birds attack?

Why spoil the film with an explanation?