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Interview with Alfred Hitchcock on The Birds

30 août 1962
04m 04s
Ref. 00020

Information

Summary :

Alfred Hitchcock discusses his film The Birds in Paris's Jardin des Plantes: the film's theme, the technical methods used for the film, the classification of this film and its place within his entire filmography, and his project of a film with Grace Kelly.

Media type :
Vidéo
Broadcast date :
30 août 1962
Source :
ORTF (Collection: JT 20H )
Personnalité(s) :
Alfred Hitchcock / Maurice Seveno
Themes :
Places :

Context

In 1962, Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) brings to the big screen Daphné du Maurier's short story, The Birds, after three exceptionally dense films. Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959) and Psycho (1960) entertained America - where the English director lived from 1940 on - and reinforced his status as the king of suspense, while seducing Cahiers du Cinéma magazine's young film critic who saw in his work, according to Truffaut's words, a true work that is "both experimental and appealing to the masses".

The Birds, publicly screened in 1963, will be Hitchcock's last undisputable masterpiece, combining the virtues of a breathless show, thanks to remarkable special effects, with a reflection on the bonds of love and family, whose Freudian backdrop undoubtedly was a preview of the following film, Marnie (1964). Once again, Hitchcock called on blond Tippi Hedren, as a replacement for Grace Kelly who became a princess, with which the filmmaker painfully resolved never to shoot again in future films.

Thierry Méranger

Transcription

(Silence)
Maurice Seveno
You are familiar with this small fat man: the man that says "Boo!" to you in dark film theatres and immdiately scares you. Alfred Hitchcock, currently in Paris, is visiting the Jardin des Plantes as these images prove.
(Silence)
Maurice Seveno
Mr. Hitchcock?
Alfred Hitchcock
Eh?
Maurice Seveno
Hello Mr. Hitchcock. You are very interested in birds?
Alfred Hitchcock
Naturally, since they provide me with lots of money.
Maurice Seveno
You have birds that provide you with money?
Alfred Hitchcock
My latest film is entitled The Birds.
Maurice Seveno
What is the plot of this film?
Alfred Hitchcock
The story concerns the fact that birds... The plot is as follows: birds are tired of being killed, plucked and eaten by mankind, so they decide to avenge themselves. One day, they group together and swoop down on the people's towns and villages.
Maurice Seveno
Do they really kill people?
Alfred Hitchcock
They try to, anyway. But in reality, they don't succeed. Afterwards, events occur that also suggest that things can be worked out peacefully. But in any case, the warning will have been harsh.
Maurice Seveno
Did you use any special technique for this film?
Alfred Hitchcock
Well, first of all, I had to train birds for this film: pigeons, blackbirds, even crows, and I used a new shooting process that allows me to shoot both actors and animals at the same time very easily.
Maurice Seveno
Is this traditional Hitchcock, or, on the contrary, did you change your ways?
Alfred Hitchcock
In reality, it's a quite different Hitchcock. Besides, every film that I make is different. North by Northwest was one thing, Psycho was another, The Trouble With Harry was once again different. Strictly speaking, this isn't a science fiction film, but something close. In addition, it's... how do you say?, romantic. [English]
Maurice Seveno
When will we see it in Paris?
Alfred Hitchcock
Next year I think.
Maurice Seveno
In about six months?
Alfred Hitchcock
Six months, six months. Because there's lots of work left in the lab.
Maurice Seveno
One last question before we leave you, Mr. Hitchcock, which has nothing to do with this film. How is you project with Princess Grace coming along?
Alfred Hitchcock
I had the novel, the plot, but I didn't have an actress for the role. But hopefully... I had an idea for a new actress.
Maurice Seveno
So she'll no longer be doing the film?
Alfred Hitchcock
No. The Princess? No, it's not possible. There's lots of turmoil. What is the word for "turmoil" in French?
Maurice Seveno
Lots of problems?
Alfred Hitchcock
Problems.
Maurice Seveno
Thank you very much.
Alfred Hitchcock
Thank you sir.
(Silence)