IMDb > The Birds (1963)
The Birds
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The Birds (1963) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 52 | slideshow) Videos (see all 9)
The Birds -- A wealthy San Francisco playgirl 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 there in increasing numbers and with increasing viciousness
The Birds -- The birds amass on the monkey bars behind Melanie.
The Birds -- A wealthy San Francisco playgirl 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 there in increasing numbers and with increasing viciousness
The Birds -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   51,795 votes »
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MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 30% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Daphne Du Maurier (story)
Evan Hunter (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Birds on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 May 1963 (Argentina) See more »
Genre:
Tagline:
Suspense and shock beyond anything you have seen or imagined! See more »
Plot:
A wealthy San Francisco playgirl 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 there in increasing numbers and with increasing viciousness. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(119 articles)
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User Reviews:
A Masterpiece See more (348 total) »

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Additional Details

Also Known As:
"Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds" - UK (complete title), USA (complete title)
See more »
Runtime:
119 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System) (uncredited)
Certification:
Australia:M (TV rating) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1963) | UK:15 (1987) | UK:X (1963) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Spain:T | Portugal:M/12 | Finland:K-15 (uncut) (2002) (DVD) | South Korea:15 | Brazil:14 | USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | France:-12 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:16 (1976) | Norway:18 | Peru:14 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (certificate #20385) (original rating) | USA:PG-13 (new rating) (1984) | West Germany:16 | Singapore:PG | Iceland:16

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
A number of endings were being considered for this film. One that was considered would have showed the Golden Gate Bridge completely covered by birds.See more »
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: After Melanie delivers the lovebirds to the Brenner home, the camera follows her as she walks back along the jetty to her boat, with the dolly track clearly visible.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Melanie Daniels:Hello there, Mrs. MacGruder.
Mrs. MacGruder, pet store clerk:Oh, hello, Miss Daniels.
Melanie Daniels:Have you ever seen so many gulls? What do you suppose it is?
Mrs. MacGruder, pet store clerk:Well, there must be a storm at sea, that can drive them inland, you know. I was hoping you'd be a little late because he hadn't arrived yet.
Melanie Daniels:Oh, but you'd said three o'clock...
Mrs. MacGruder, pet store clerk:Oh I know, I know. I've been calling all morning. Oh, Miss Daniels you have no idea. They are so difficult to get, really they are. We have to get them from India, when they're just baby chicks, and then we have...
Melanie Daniels:But this one won't be a chick, will he?
Mrs. MacGruder, pet store clerk:Certainly not. Oh no, certainly not. This will be a full grown mynah bird, full grown.
Melanie Daniels:And he'll talk?
[...]
See more »
Soundtrack:
Risseldy, RosseldySee more »

FAQ

What was causing the birds to attack?
Does Alfred Hitchcock have a cameo in "The Birds"?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
See more »
46 out of 68 people found the following review useful.
A Masterpiece, 20 August 1999
Author: Jonathan Rose from London, England

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?

Was the above review useful to you?
See more (348 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Birds (1963)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Favorite/creepiest scenes(spoilers maybe) CravingBlood
why the birds attacked - the definitive answer exeverything
unbelievably boring until the birds start attacking dario_van_kuschn
What was the designer outfit that Tippi wears in the shop? paulmurphy42
Dan Fawcett's field hand, George Stuart Gardner
Annie's interpretation of Lydia shandy8
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