The Art of Suspense in Alfred Hitchcock Movies
# The Art of Suspense in Alfred Hitchcock Movies
Hey there, movie buffs! If you’ve landed here, it’s safe to say we share a common love for the suspense and thrill served by none other than the ‘Master of Suspense’, Alfred Hitchcock. Ah! The mere mention of his name sends a rush of excitement through me. Hitchcock wasn’t just making movies; he was creating a spine-tingling experience that still remains unrivaled. Today, let’s take a deep dive into this breathtaking element of suspense in his movies.
## Hitchcock’s Recipe for Suspense
The first time I sat down to watch a Hitchcock movie – it was ‘Psycho’, by the way – I was gripped by a sense of dread and fascination at the same time – a combination that I hadn’t felt before. That’s when I realized: this is what suspense feels like. But how does he manage to achieve this? Let’s unbox Hitchcock’s recipe for suspense.
– **Audience Foreknowledge**: By giving the audience more information than what the characters have, he instantly puts you on the edge of your seat. Remember in ‘Rear Window’ when we, the audience, know that the neighbor has killed his wife but Jimmy Stewart’s character is yet to discover this?
– **Counting Down**: An art he absolutely nailed was the sense of ‘counting down’. Is anyone else reminded of the dial in the famous bomb scene from ‘Sabotage’?
– **Switcharoo**: Hitchcock was a master of the unexpected switches which kept you guessing. The kill-off of the leading lady (Janet Leigh) midway in Psycho–who does that? Well, Hitchcock did.
## Creating Suspense Through Cinematography
The genius of Hitchcock did not stop at the story; he innovatively used cinematography to up the stakes of suspense. Take for instance his use of camera angles. In his interview with Francois Truffaut (Truffaut, Hitchcock, 1984), the master revealed how he used lofty camera positions to create a sense of impending doom. The classic shot from ‘The Birds’ when the characters see the birds coming from high above is something I can never forget!
## Emotional Catharsis: An Essential Ingredient
Let’s not forget the emotional involvement Hitchcock manages to instill! He didn’t just want to scare us with the events on screen; he carefully crafted characters that we come to care about, making every scary scenario all the more personal for us. A perfect example would be the character of Norman Bates from ‘Psycho’. I don’t know about you guys, but his character sure gave me all the feels despite his twisted persona.
## Conclusion
To this day, whenever I watch a Hitchcock movie, I sit with bated breath, even when I know what’s about to happen. The clock ticking, the woman screaming, the knife flashing – every element leaves me shivering yet begging for more. The eerie suspense Hitchcock has woven into every film is impossible to ignore. May his legacy continue inspiring filmmakers and giving us die-hard fans, plenty to chat about. Here’s to the master of suspense!
### References:
Truffaut, F. (1984). Hitchcock. Simon and Schuster.