Hitchcock (Revised Edition) Paperback – October 2, 1985

This one has been sitting on my list for a while, and I was concerned it would read like a textbook. I couldn't have been more wrong. Truffaut is an excellent interviewer, able to engage with Hitchcock and elicit detailed responses. So much of the book isn't just Hitchcock as a director, but a window the business and production side of British silent cinema, a world long since vanished.The highlights of the book are well known. Reading the extended interview is a fantastic approach to better understanding Hitchcock's work and his approach as a director. Coming up in the silent era, you see his philosophy of cinematic storytelling become refined and developed - as well as his awareness that the performance of his pictures (or lack thereof) depended on a number of factors. More than anything else, Hitchcock's love of cinema shines through (he seems particularly eager to explain special effect shots and camera tricks)Despite the lackadaisical cover, the edition has good quality printing - which you'll want, as there are quite a few photos included, both for historical purposes (Hitchcock was young once!) and demonstrative purposes.

Great for movie learning ...

Perhaps the greatest interview of a filmmaker even published. Master French filmmaker/critic Francois Truffaut interviewed Master of Suspense Alfred Hitchcock for many hours in the late 1960s, covering Hitch's entire career to date. The original publication has been revised to include the Master's final films and is an absolute delight. On a personal note, I had the enormous pleasure of meeting Mr. Hitchcock himself in 1973 on the opening night of a Hitchcock festival at the Los Angeles County Art Museum. Screened that night was Hitchcock's personal print of "Rear Window," which I had the unearthly experience of watching over the top of the Master's head, as he was seated right in front of me! (As a surprise even to Hitch, Jimmy Stewart appeared at the start of the evening to introduce him!) Hitch had such a powerful aura about him that after the screening no one even approached him to shake his hand - except me. As he exited into the lobby, I called out, "Mr. Hitchcock?" The Master turned and gave me his full attention. I reached out my hand and he gave me the most firm, sincere working-class handshake I've ever experienced. I said, "Mr. Hitchcock, I just wanted to thank you for coming here tonight." The Master replied - in perfect Hitchcockian intonation - "No. Thank you." My most cherished moment ever in a theater.

This is a really great book, and should be required reading for any film student. Hitchcock was truly exceptional in his creative and perfectionist approach to visual effects, and he enjoyed talking with Truffaut enough to share many of his secrets, including some fascinating ideas that he never used (although some appear to be examples of his understated sense of humor). Since I received this book I haven't been able to put it down. I've been making a focused study of camera angles and visual presentation, and the ideas in this book would make it a great reference for a film-making class. It is also amusing to hear about Hitchcock's ambivalence about working with studios and acting talent: as a perfectionist he was seldom satisfied, although he especially liked Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly (partially, I suppose, because their inhibitions were compatible with his own.) The discussion of Kim Novak in "Vertigo" is amusing. Hitch found her uncooperative because she had her own ideas; Truffaut found her perfect for the part. Even with limited experience I can appreciate the dilemma: a great talent can contribute much to a production, but can't be allowed to sabotage the concept - as with any relationship!

This book is essential reading for a deep understanding of the thought process behind the decisions that the filmmaker made in creating all of his classic films. Hitchcock is an artist whose work benefits from multiple viewings, and from seeing his - often very prosaic - point of view on what each frame of film consists of.

This is written as interview. Loads of pictures. Hitchcock has some really funny stories but I’m also learning about film making - something I know nothing about and is actually thought provoking.

I mean there not much to say Its Truffaut on Hitchcock! Two of the great pioneers of cinema discussing just that. Obviously it comes from a pov of Truffaut interviewing Hitchcock but it certainly doesn't feel like that half the time due to how Hitchcock refuses to let too much formality creep in and it much more becomes two filmmakers discussing their views on the craft. Definitely a great book for any aspiring filmmakers or Hitchcock/Truffaut fans.

If you are a writer, storyteller, photographer, filmmaker , a lover of film and Hitchcock then this is seminal book for understanding, creating, conceiving impactful telling in many ways.Highly recommend