Alfred Hitchcock All the Films: The Story Behind Every Movie, Episode, and Short

by Bernard Benoliel, Gilles Esposito, Murielle Joudet

Organized chronologically and covering every short film, television episode, and classic film that the "Master of Suspense" directed over the course of his illustrious, 60-year career, Alfred Hitchcock All the Films draws upon years of research to tell the behind the scenes stories of how each project was conceived, cast, and produced, down to the creation of the costumes, the search for perfect locations, and of course, the direction of some of cinema's most memorable scenes.

Spanning more than six decades, and including stories of work with longtime collaborators like costume designer Edith Head, title designer Saul Bass, and composer Bernard Herrmann, this book details the creative processes that resulted in numerous classic films like Vertigo,The Birds,Psycho, Rear Window, North By Northwest,andTo Catch a Thief (to name a few).

The director's classic TV series are also covered extensively along with original release dates, lesser-known short films, box office totals, surreptitious casting details, and other insider scoops that will keep fans and students alike turning pages. Featuring hundreds of vivid photographs that celebrate one of cinema's most iconic artists, Alfred Hitchcock All the Films is a visual feast that's perfect for the movie fan in your life.

Genres: Film, Collections, Nonfiction

648 pages, Hardcover

First published October 29, 2024

Reviews

[John Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comprehensive, authoritative, and exhaustive book (600-plus pages) explains why Hitchcock, 45 years after his death, remains such a constant presence in popular culture. The authors convincingly show why and how the Master of Suspense brought the science of making films to a degree of near absolute perfection. Nothing in a Hitchcock movie is devoid of meaning.

The book details Hitchcock's gigantic influence as he laid the foundations for transforming the rules of contemporary entertainment. From the onset, Hitchcock knew how to visualize a script. By his third film, "The Lodger" in 1927, he already had become a household name in England, where at 28, he already was the country's highest-paid director.

Hitchcock had a great talent for self-promotion, aided by cameo appearances in 38 of his pictures and introductory and closing remarks in all 361 episodes of his TV series, which ran for a decade. This tome delves into Hitch's ability to convince the great stars of the day -- Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant, James Stewart, Grace Kelly -- to play complex, sometimes unflattering roles.

"All the Films" contains many sidebars of interest and it is generously illustrated with photos. There are various bios of those who contributed to Hitchcock's success, such as composer Bernard Hermann, costume designer Edith Head, and graphic artist Saul Bass. In addition to reviewing every Hitchcock film, the book has vignettes on some of the most notable shows from "Alfred Hitchcock Presents."

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular oversized book packed with incredible information and photos from all of Hitchcock's films and television. Each film gets a section filled with information even the most ardent Hitchcock fan would discover. My only complaint is the quality of paper isn't that great. Our copy at the library is a bit wavy. The writing and images deserves better. Still a great addition to any library, public or personal for Hitchcock super fans.

[Jason Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. The most thorough book on Hitchcock. Legitimately, this included tons of information I didn’t know; I have read several books on his movies and life as Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors of all time (“North by Northwest” is one of my favorite films), and Il hadn’t realized how many TV episodes he directed: I will begin hunting down the episodes soon. Just a massive, phenomenal tome.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book is an incredibly detailed and easy to consume synopsis of Hitchcock’s entire Canon. I didn’t realize he started as early as 1925 in silent films! The ones that are my favorite are the Daphne DuMaurier screen adaptations of Rebecca and Jamaican Inn, and the films between 1953 and 1964; To Catch a Thief, North by Northwest, and Rear Window. For the movies I was familiar with, it was interesting to read about some of the behind the scenes details and photography. I also really enjoyed reading about Hitchcock’s history, his favorite repeating actors and actresses (Grace Kelly and Cary Grant I can see why!) and his impact on cinematography and the film industry.

Interesting CoPilot summary of Alfred Hitchcock:
Alfred Hitchcock created a diverse and influential collection of films spanning various genres, including thrillers, suspense, and suspenseful dramas. Some of his most iconic and celebrated films include Psycho, The Birds, Rear Window, Vertigo, and North by Northwest. These films are known for their suspenseful narratives, psychological depth, and innovative use of cinematic techniques.

Key aspects of Hitchcock's canon:
Hitchcockian suspense:
A signature style involving building tension and suspense through visual and auditory cues, often leaving audiences on the edge of their seats.

Psychological depth:
Hitchcock explored complex character motivations and psychological states, often revealing hidden truths and anxieties.

Cinematic innovation:
He used techniques like the dolly zoom (Vertigo effect), high angle shots, and close-ups to enhance the emotional impact of his films.

Recurring themes:
His films often explored themes of guilt, identity, paranoia, and the illusion of control.

Recurring actors:
Hitchcock frequently collaborated with the same actors, creating a sense of familiarity and trust.

Simple, linear plots:
He favored narratives that were easy to follow, allowing the audience to focus on the suspense and psychological drama.

Variety of genres:
Hitchcock's canon includes films across multiple genres, including thrillers, suspense, and suspenseful dramas.

Academy Award nominations:
He received several Academy Award nominations for his work, including for Best Director and Best Picture.

Impact on filmmaking:
Hitchcock's work has had a significant impact on filmmaking, influencing countless directors and filmmakers.

"Hitchcockian" style:
His distinctive style has been emulated and referenced in countless films.

[Melsene G · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. This is a very long book, 650 pages, 8.5x11 size. If you're interested in learning about Hitch's works, this is extremely enlightening and well done by the four authors. There is so much to learn about this man. He was born in August 1899 in Leytonstone, England. He directed 53 films and 20 TV films, war films plus had his TV weekly series of suspense, murder stories. His wife and partner Alma Reville was always working with him and doesn't get the credit she deserves. The book has tons of lovely photos of the actors/actresses, producers, and other folks that worked with Hitch throughout his long career. I learned a lot about cinema and enjoyed the Glossary at the end. If you're attending a crime writer's conference like I am, this is a must read. I know more about Hitch now than ever and sadly, he was not an easy guy to work with. He had his insecurities certainly being short and fat, and not attractive at all. But he did leave his legacy. He started with silent films, then talkies, black and white then color, and cinema and then TV. So many of his films were not successful and you learn how tough this industry is. Well done and so informative.

[Noé Florián · Rating 4 out of 5]

Para alguien neófito cómo yo en el mundo del señor Alfred Hitchcock este libro fue un disfrute, para alguien versado en el maestro quizá sea redundante y no descubra nada nuevo.

[Cheryl Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confession: I not did read the entire book but enjoyed and relished every single page that I read.

[John Schorg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An indispensable guide to the director's work. It must be said that anyone who can read this all the way through deserves some sort of medal. There is so much detail here that months could be spent sifting through the pages. Nah, it's far better to haul it out whenever one of Hitchcock's films plays on TV, and read the account of its making while you're watching.