Hitchcock's Horror Thrillers 2: The Birds, scene by scene

What is the course about?

This online film studies course looks at The Birds, superficially a revenge of nature narrative but which turns out to be a familiar Hitchcock set-up shot through with an unremittingly bleak word view. This scene by scene examination of the film aims to reveal the way in which, after the success of Psycho, Hitchcock chose to explore his usual concerns in terms that reflected his newly acquired status as an auteur rather than merely the 'master of suspense'. Though this approach might deny audiences the immediate pleasure and spectacle of his best work of the 1950s, it reveals Hitchcock at a creative crossroads, attempting to balance his long established interest in 'pure cinema' created through editing/montage, with the demands of a new audience and changing institutional and production contexts. With this in mind, we will examine the way in which Hitchcock constructs his film to include themes such as familial dysfunction (as Psycho had done) while building towards a climax in which romantic coupling is all but destroyed (Psycho again).

Our analysis will also consider the film's production, including its considerable achievements in special effects, its popular and critical reception and its position in Hitchcock's body of work. In doing so we will draw on a range of critical accounts of the film, and note that while it was not, initially, a critical and commercial success, it has since acquired a reputation as a major Hitchcock film, one offering a fascinating insight into his approach to filmmaking at a key moment in his career.

What will we cover?

• An in-depth, scene by scene analysis of The Birds
• The film's conception and production
• The film's release and popular and critical reception
• The film's position in Hitchcock's body of work
• Hitchcock's directorial style and reputation
• The film's popular and critical reputation.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Describe and evaluate the film's narrative and structure
• Assess the film's conception and production
• Assess the film's release, reception and critical reputation
• Evaluate the film's position in Hitchcock's body of work
• Evaluate Hitchcock's directorial style and reputation
• Evaluate the film's popular and critical reputation.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class (see the reading and films mentioned above) but this is not essential.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Please check the Film Studies courses under History, Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.