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The Birds

  • 19631963
  • PGPG
  • 1h 59min
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
178K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,863
106
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Alfred Hitchcock and Tippi Hedren in The Birds (1963)
Trailer for The Birds
Play trailer5:13
2 Videos
99+ Photos
DramaHorrorMystery

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.

IMDb RATING
7.7/10
178K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,863
106
  • Director
    • Alfred Hitchcock
  • Writers
    • Daphne Du Maurier(from the story by)
    • Evan Hunter(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Rod Taylor
    • Tippi Hedren
    • Jessica Tandy
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alfred Hitchcock
  • Writers
    • Daphne Du Maurier(from the story by)
    • Evan Hunter(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Rod Taylor
    • Tippi Hedren
    • Jessica Tandy
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 595User reviews
    • 179Critic reviews
    • 90Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 5 wins & 7 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Birds
    Trailer 5:13
    The Birds
    A Guide to the Films of Alfred Hitchcock
    Clip 2:27
    A Guide to the Films of Alfred Hitchcock

    Photos346

    The Birds (1963)
    Tippi Hedren in The Birds (1963)
    Tippi Hedren in The Birds (1963)
    "The Birds," Tippi Hedren. 1963 Universal
    "The Birds," Tippi Hedren. 1963 Universal
    "The Birds," Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor. 1963 Universal
    "The Birds," Rod Taylor. 1963 Universal
    "The Birds," Tippi Hedren, Alfred Hitchcock (Cameo Appearance) 1963 Universal
    "The Birds," Tippi Hedren. 1963 Universal
    Alfred Hitchcock with Tippi Hedren in a publicity shot for "The Birds" 1963  Universal **I.V.
    "The Birds," Director Alfred Hitchcock. 1963 Universal
    "The Birds," Tippi Hedren and Alfred Hitchcock. 1963 Universal

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rod Taylor
    Rod Taylor
    • Mitch Brenneras Mitch Brenner
    Tippi Hedren
    Tippi Hedren
    • Melanie Danielsas Melanie Daniels
    Jessica Tandy
    Jessica Tandy
    • Lydia Brenneras Lydia Brenner
    Suzanne Pleshette
    Suzanne Pleshette
    • Annie Hayworthas Annie Hayworth
    Veronica Cartwright
    Veronica Cartwright
    • Cathy Brenneras Cathy Brenner
    Ethel Griffies
    Ethel Griffies
    • Mrs. Bundyas Mrs. Bundy
    Charles McGraw
    Charles McGraw
    • Sebastian Sholesas Sebastian Sholes
    Ruth McDevitt
    Ruth McDevitt
    • Mrs. MacGruderas Mrs. MacGruder
    Lonny Chapman
    Lonny Chapman
    • Deke Carteras Deke Carter
    Joe Mantell
    Joe Mantell
    • Traveling Salesman at Diner's Baras Traveling Salesman at Diner's Bar
    Doodles Weaver
    Doodles Weaver
    • Fisherman Helping with Rental Boatas Fisherman Helping with Rental Boat
    Malcolm Atterbury
    Malcolm Atterbury
    • Deputy Al Maloneas Deputy Al Malone
    John McGovern
    John McGovern
    • Postal Clerkas Postal Clerk
    Karl Swenson
    Karl Swenson
    • Drunken Doomsayer in Dineras Drunken Doomsayer in Diner
    Richard Deacon
    Richard Deacon
    • Mitch's City Neighboras Mitch's City Neighbor
    Elizabeth Wilson
    Elizabeth Wilson
    • Helen Carteras Helen Carter
    Bill Quinn
    Bill Quinn
    • Samas Sam
    • (as William Quinn)
    Doreen Lang
    Doreen Lang
    • Hysterical Mother in Dineras Hysterical Mother in Diner
    • Director
      • Alfred Hitchcock
    • Writers
      • Daphne Du Maurier(from the story by)
      • Evan Hunter(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    Melanie Daniels is the modern rich socialite, part of the jet-set who always gets what she wants. When lawyer Mitch Brenner sees her in a pet shop, he plays something of a practical joke on her, and she decides to return the favor. She drives about an hour north of San Francisco to Bodega Bay, where Mitch spends the weekends with his mother Lydia and younger sister Cathy. Soon after her arrival, however, the birds in the area begin to act strangely. A seagull attacks Melanie as she is crossing the bay in a small boat, and then, Lydia finds her neighbor dead, obviously the victim of a bird attack. Soon, birds in the hundreds and thousands are attacking anyone they find out of doors. There is no explanation as to why this might be happening, and as the birds continue their vicious attacks, survival becomes the priority. —garykmcd
    bird attackcaliforniaparanoiaphone boothunsolved mystery148 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Suspense and shock beyond anything you have seen or imagined!
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Horror
      • Mystery
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • 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 reviews595

    Review
    Top 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?
    helpful•96
    79
    • jonrose
    • Aug 20, 1999

    FAQ15

    • When the birds attacked the town and struck the man pumping gas he dropped the gas hose. Why did the hose not shut off and stop the flow of gas if no one was holding the lever on the hose nozzle?
    • What is "The Birds" about?
    • Is "The Birds" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 1963 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Les oiseaux
    • Filming locations
      • Bodega Bay, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $53,647
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 59min
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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