This section contains 1,772 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |
Can Alfred Hitchcock Be Considered an Auteur?
Summary: Through the following analysis of four Alfred Hitchcock films -- Psycho (1960), "The 39 Steps" (1935), "Rebecca" (1940), "Rear Window" (1954), and "Psycho" (1960) -- one can conclude that Hitchcock's use of trademark techniques in all four films qualify him as an auteur. These techniques include creating suspense; similar characters, such as an innocent victim wrongly accused or a strong woman left vulnerable; human psychology, particularly voyeurism; location, usually in forgotten, derelict places; lighting; camera techniques, particularly the use of panorama shots; and controlling the emotions of the audience.
Many critics believe that a Hitchcock film can be identified even if his name has been taken off the credits. I will be looking at his films such as Psycho (1960), Rear Window (1954), The 39 steps (1935) and Rebecca (1940) in order to evaluate this claim.
Hitchcock often creates suspense in his films through fear of a character being caught doing something illegal. This is displayed in Psycho when Marion is attempting to trade in her old car. The policeman, waiting over the road, will create tension within the audience as they are aware that Marion has stolen money from her boss and her hurried purchase of a new car only highlights the fact that she is desperate to escape the danger of being caught. Similar situations can be seen in Rear Window, when Lisa is sneaking around the apartments and the 39 steps when Richard is being chased through the train by...
This section contains 1,772 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page) |