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The Birds

  • 19631963
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
185K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,719
277
  • 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
  • Drama
  • Horror
  • Mystery
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
185K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,719
277
  • 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 production, box office & company info
    • 614User reviews
    • 181Critic reviews
    • 90Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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

    Photos351

    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
    Tippi Hedren in The Birds (1963)
    Alfred Hitchcock, Veronica Cartwright, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy, and Rod Taylor in The Birds (1963)
    Alfred Hitchcock and Veronica Cartwright in The Birds (1963)

    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)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    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 reviews614

    Review
    Top review
    Let The Pecking Begin...
    Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) heads to Bodega Bay to surprise Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor). For some unknown reason birds of all species begin attacking humans. At first, it seems like a small problem. Then, a few turn into many, then into millions.

    In anyone else's hands this could have been just another foray into hyper-schlock territory. Thankfully, Director Alfred Hitchcock was in charge, and due to his guidance THE BIRDS is a genuine horror classic.

    Hitchcock's ability to make the best of such material is an example of his genius.

    The phonebooth scene takes a confined location and turns it into an explosive, jarring experience. The attic scene puts Ms. Hedren's character into a painful, dangerous, and bewildering situation. The house under siege scene is downright apocalyptic! It even prefigures George A. Romero's fortified farmhouse in NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD!

    In addition, when school teacher Annie Hayworth (Suzanne Pleshette) is found on the ground, it's genuinely shocking. Especially for the time period!

    Highly recommended for horror-thriller fans...
    helpful•3
    0
    • azathothpwiggins
    • Jan 26, 2022

    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
      • March 29, 1963 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds
    • 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
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1(original & negative ratio, open matte)

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