The Birds

Watch The Birds

"...and remember, the next scream you hear may be your own!"
  • PG-13
  • 1963
  • 1 hr 59 min
  • 7.6  (200,805)
  • 90

The Birds is a classic thriller movie from 1963 directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. The film presents a story of horror where the town of Bodega Bay, California is terrorized by flocks of birds that inexplicably start to attack people. The premise of the movie is simple but sinister: birds start to behave erratically, and people in Bodega Bay begin to experience swarms of birds attacking and injuring them. Tippi Hedren plays the lead character Melanie Daniels, who is a wealthy and spoiled socialite from San Francisco. Melanie visits Bodega Bay on a whim, and she meets Mitch Brenner, played by Rod Taylor, who is a lawyer in town. Melanie's practical joke of buying a pair of lovebirds for Mitch's sister causes a string of violent bird attacks, which gradually intensify, leaving the townspeople in fear for their lives.

The tension in the film keeps on building as the birds become increasingly violent and start attacking schools, houses, and even gas stations. The movie relies heavily on the terrifying nature of birds, which are usually depicted as peaceful entities, but in this story, they become a force to be reckoned with and a massive threat to human life.

Despite the scary premise, Hitchcock's direction is top-notch, and the pacing of the movie is excellent. The cinematography of the film is also impressive, with many of the bird attack scenes being shot by cameras strapped to stuntmen, creating a realistic and immersive experience for the viewers. The combination of sharp editing and powerful music conveys a sense of chaos and danger, which complements the film's mood of tension and fear.

As the story plays out, Melanie and Mitch develop a romantic bond amidst the chaos, but the real focus of the movie remains the bird attacks. The film's climax is thrilling and suspense-filled, and the ending leaves the viewer with a sense of ambiguity.

The Birds is a classic film that has stood the test of time. It is difficult to overstate the impact of the movie on popular culture and the horror genre. The film's success spawned a trend of "nature attacks" movies, with such titles as Jaws, Grizzly and even Snakes on a Plane referencing the iconic film.

Overall, The Birds is a cinematic masterpiece that showcases the talents of the director, actors, and creative team. It is a tense, thrilling, and suspenseful horror film that has left an indelible mark on popular culture.

The Birds is a 1963 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 90.

The Birds
Description
Where to Watch The Birds
The Birds is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Peacock Premium, The Roku Channel, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent The Birds for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1963
  • MPAA Rating
    PG-13
  • Runtime
    1 hr 59 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (200,805)
  • Metascore
    90
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