Definitely an interesting read.

I think that a film student would get more out of the technical aspects of the book in terms of specific films of his. I have only seen a small percentage of his massive filmography, but I enjoyed getting little glimpses at the man behind the name.

I was intrigued to find out more about his cameo appearances in his own films. I had always taken it as just a unique calling card, but it was actually much more deliberate and calculated. Hitch was generally of the opinion that popular actors come and go. Appearing in the film provided a sort of stamp of directorial ownership and was meant to establish himself over the long term as the creator of the movie.

Along those lines, I was also interested in seeing his apparent disdain for actors in general. He definitely seemed to be of the type who believes in the notion of a battle being won before it starts. I think it spoke tremendously to his artistic vision that his work was mostly done before shooting even began. Once that stage was underway, he often seemed to lose interest entirely.

It's troubling to think of how much work was really his and how much was done by the cast of people around him. His wife Alma probably doesn't get enough credit for being the rock that grounded him emotionally, as well as her creative contributions as a writer for him. Hitch seemed to be the type to take credit for as much of a film as possible while allowing his crew to be portrayed almost as elves, bowing down to the creative master.

And of course there is the issue of how he treated his leading ladies and how progressively worse he became over the years. Listening to Tippi Hedren's experiences during shooting The Birds was terrifying and sickening.

Still, he was an amazingly adept director with a great visual eye. Probably one of the most technically brilliant directors we've seen just in terms of the overall process. He was a complicated man with a gross tonnage of personal issues, and this definitely made for an interesting read.

Perhaps the uppercase biography about Hitchcock.

In this new podcast on cinema and literature (link below), we use it to know what is really behind Vertigo and so many other films of the British director. And there is a lot, very juicy and very... perverse.

Jesús González Requena, professor of audiovisual communication, helps us to deepen into the soul of Sir Alfred.

Hitchcock's works are filled with unique charm and complex themes. His films not only entertain but also make the audience think deeply.

By exploring his biography, we can better understand the inspiration and creative process behind his masterpieces.

This podcast provides a great opportunity for film lovers to gain a deeper understanding of Hitchcock and his contributions to the world of cinema.

https://go.ivoox.com/rf/67131093

A must read for anyone in the film industry. Hitchcock was there from the very beginning, and he had an enormous influence in building the art form and shaping it into what it is today. His contributions are truly remarkable. He was a master of suspense and had a unique way of telling stories that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. His films are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking. I seriously need to re-watch every movie of his that I've ever watched. This will give me a better understanding of his techniques and how he was able to create such memorable and iconic films. Hitchcock's work is a testament to his genius and his passion for filmmaking. It is an inspiration to all those who are interested in the art of cinema.

After delving into the book and having watched a significant portion of Hitch's films, I find myself unable to subscribe to the view that he was either extremely 'dark' or an absolute 'genius.'

Although the bio appears to be factually accurate and meticulously researched, it strikes me as rather ordinary. In my estimation, it offers less profound understanding of Hitch's inner world compared to his films.

Certainly, Hitch was a talented individual with certain proclivities. He was, in a sense, a rather repressed Victorian who employed the artistic medium of film to toy with some of his disturbing and unfulfilled fantasies.

In the final analysis, Hitch achieved commercial and financial prosperity. However, by his own exacting standards, he was not truly an artistic success. This is because he was constantly relegated to directing suspense/thriller flicks due to his earlier triumphs in the genre.

Fortunately for Hitch, the proponents of the French New Wave bestowed upon him a somewhat questionable artistic reputation. And this reputation has only burgeoned as the years have gone by.

This is an extremely fascinating book that delves into the life and films of Alfred Hitchcock. The only drawback, which prevented me from awarding it a full 5 stars, is that the author spent a significant amount of time speculating on the psychological reasons behind Hitchcock's less than pleasant personal traits. These are aspects that the author may not have been fully qualified to understand. However, don't let this deter you as this book is likely one of the best among the many written about this iconic director.

He began his professional journey in advertising and then transitioned to writing titles for silent films. He later went to Germany and worked within the film community there, where his talent was recognized through his innovative ideas and suggestions. Returning to England, he took on the role of director and first found his rhythm with The Lodger (1927). He also made England's first talking picture, Blackmail (1929), and the rest, as they say, is history.

The reader gains valuable insights into all the films he made in both England and later in the US. More attention is given to those films that were groundbreaking and achieved huge success. His well-known obsession with certain actresses, often with unpleasant consequences, is explored, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how it influenced their performances and lives.

After The Birds (1963), the quality of his films declined. However, Frenzy (1972), made in England and his penultimate film, managed to recapture the magic of the Hitchcock touch. He made one more film and as his health and mental stability worsened, he was forced to retire against his wishes.

I was completely engrossed by this well-written and highly informative book (with the one exception I mentioned in the first paragraph) and would highly recommend it. It truly is a gem!

An earlier biography than the more recent 'revelatory' books which placed greater emphasis on the predatory and psychologically harmful aspects of his treatment of leading ladies, this particular book stands out. It is the result of such thorough research and detailed examination that it has now become my 'go-to' reference when it comes to Hitchcock. The account of the early years of his life and career is meticulous. We learn how he had to patiently wait and endure while working among and with those of inferior talents. The sharp analysis of each of his films is truly fascinating. It delves into how each film had an element of art imitating (his) life. For me, this is undoubtedly the definitive Hitchcock biography. It provides a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the man and his works, without ever becoming tedious or dry. It is a must-read for any Hitchcock enthusiast or anyone interested in the history of cinema.

The audiobook is presented in a rather dull and uninteresting manner. The narrator, an American, unfortunately mispronounces numerous English words and place names, which further detracts from the listening experience.

The account of how Hitch tried to circumvent the censors is quite captivating. His pride in incorporating a flushing toilet in Psycho is notable. It's also intriguing that the man who brought psychiatrists to the screen never considered seeking one for his own phobias and issues.

I found some comfort in the fact that his initial idea for North by Northwest was simply a chase over the Mount Rushmore monument, as many of my own story ideas start with something equally as nebulous.

Spoto dedicates a significant amount of time to Psycho, which is understandable. However, there is a great deal of speculation in the book that seems to be based on little more than the biographer's opinion.

Hitch's manipulation of Tippi Hedren is truly horrifying, especially considering the more recent sexual assault allegations she made against him in 2017. Given that he is no longer alive, it's a one-sided conversation, but I tend to believe her.

Even in this biography, Spoto admits that Hitch was extremely put out by women who had the audacity to get pregnant during their contracts with his production company. His remarks to Vera Miles about having a third child are quite telling.

But there are several aspects of this book that make me frown. For instance, Hedren's claims about her experiences with Hitchcock seem to be overshadowed by other details in the book.

I'm particularly intrigued by Hitch's wife, Alma. Spoto's treatment of her in the book leaves much to be desired. He seems to almost blame her for her husband's behavior, which is unacceptable.

Alma was a talented script adviser who had a significant impact on Hitch's films. She was given writing credits as a way for him to earn more, but her contributions went far beyond that.

I really want to hear her side of the story, and it seems I'm not alone, as two Alma biopics have recently been released.

The question of why she stayed in a sexless relationship with only one child is a fascinating one. Spoto's claims about Hitch's attitude towards her pregnant figure are rather speculative.

Hitch used their own life experiences as inspiration for his scripts, which further emphasizes the importance of Alma in his work.

In conclusion, while the book is very detailed, especially about the movies, it ultimately left me less interested in Hitch and more interested in his wife, Alma. I would rate it 2 stars.

This was an outstanding biography.

Jeff Riggenbach's narration on the audiobook was great. He has a really grumbly voice, yet it is easy to understand.

The synopsis reveals that this is the definitive life story of Alfred Hitchcock. He was the enigmatic and intensely private director of Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, The Birds, and over forty other films.

Donald Spoto not only presents every stage of Hitchcock's long life and brilliant career but also delves into the roots of the director's obsessions with blondes, food, murder, and idealized love. He traces Hitchcock's incomparable and bizarre genius from his English childhood through the golden years of his career in America as one of the greatest directors in the history of filmmaking.

The story is very detailed and easy to follow. It outlines the beginning of filmmaking, the differences between directors and producers, and much more about the film industry over the decades until his death. It shows his upbringing in a Jesuit Catholic school. The book has all the chapters split up by chunks of his life given in years, mostly surrounding a famous film he was working on at the time and who he was working with.

It is a great reference and offers an insight into how he mentally became unhinged, which, however, resulted in some of the best films ever made. It definitely brought the film industry into a new era of technology and production standards. I was only really familiar with The Lodger as I used the movie for a project in Humanities in college in the late 2000s. I loved it. The book is very well structured, and the end comes right after his deathbed. It is very memorable. 4.25/5

Clearly, this is the most exhaustive analysis of Alfred Hitchcock's person and his innovative art. It delves deep into every aspect of his life and work, leaving no stone unturned. However, at times, the book felt a bit too long. The detailed descriptions and extensive research could be overwhelming, causing the reader to lose focus.

Other times, it seemed as if the author was once again addressing a previously covered subject. This repetition made the reading experience a bit tedious. In other words, I felt the author had a hard time curating the massive bundles of information he wanted to deliver. He perhaps could have been more selective in presenting the material to make it more engaging and easier to follow.

Yet, the fact remains that the book left nothing uncovered. There is truly nothing missing. It provides a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of Hitchcock and his contributions to the world of cinema. If you want to know all there is to know about Hitchcock, this is undoubtedly the book for you. Just think of it like a diamond that needs further polishing. With a little refinement, it could be a truly outstanding piece of work.

I have been a big Hitchcock fan since I was a kid in the 1950s.

Back then, I knew nothing about him as a person, so this book was truly interesting to me.

The book offers a detailed analysis of many of his movies, and fortunately, I have seen most of them.

For some people, the level of detail in this book might be more than they desire to know.

However, I, on the other hand, liked it a lot.

It provided me with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Hitchcock's filmmaking techniques and the underlying themes in his movies.

Each analysis was like uncovering a new layer of the genius that was Hitchcock.

It was fascinating to see how he crafted his stories and used various elements to create suspense and keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

This book has definitely enhanced my love for Hitchcock's work and has given me a new perspective on his movies.

I would highly recommend it to any fellow Hitchcock fans or anyone interested in the art of filmmaking.

The biography of Alfred Hitchcock is approximately 600 pages long, which seems even longer.

These are the captivating tales of his life, starting from his upbringing in Europe, his career initiation in England, and eventually becoming a US citizen while creating a plethora of memorable movies.

There is an abundance of detail regarding the beginnings of the movie business, silent films, talkies, Hollywood royalty, and Hitchcock's significant involvement in that ever-changing world. He emerged as England's renowned and favored director. Later in his life, he relocated to Hollywood and sustained his success as a remarkable, influential director and producer.

The darker side of his personality is also revealed. He endured a lifelong battle with weight and had a penchant for practical jokes that at times crossed the line into cruelty. There is no attempt to sugarcoat his flaws. He was indeed a memorable director, producer, and an eccentric individual.

If you have a passion for all things Hitchcock, then this book is tailor-made for you. It is a lengthy book that contains a fair amount of MBS (major, boring, horse-pucky) - pages of mind-numbing 'ancient history' and anecdotes. However, the author also showcases some superb writing, which I mostly enjoyed.

This is an engrossing read that truly captivated my attention.

I had no idea that Hitchcock had such a profound fear of his own mortality. It's quite fascinating to learn about this aspect of his life.

The article also contains a lot of dirt about various stars. It provides some juicy details and behind-the-scenes stories that are sure to pique the interest of readers.

Overall, it's a great piece that offers a unique perspective on Hitchcock and the world of celebrities.

Whether you're a fan of Hitchcock or just interested in learning more about the entertainment industry, this article is definitely worth a read.

It's filled with interesting facts and tidbits that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

So, if you're looking for a captivating and informative read, look no further than this article.