Focusing on one of the greatest filmmakers in history, this documentary tells the story of a man who didn’t just understand filmmaking but helped develop it and became the ultimate master of suspense for his time. I am talking about one of my favourite Directors and Writers, Alfred Hitchcock! Hitchcock was not only a Director but also a well-respected Producer, Actor, Editor, and so on. He was a man of many talents!
As a documentary, there are, of course, several interviews that take place. However, the celebrities who speak about Hitchcock are not shown in a typical interview style but with their voice over various clips and footage, along with multiple clips of Hitchcock himself speaking.
Those currently looking at a career in film on any level will find this documentary encouraging and uplifting, especially when it comes to not giving up your goals. For example, did you know that Alfred Hitchcock’s first two feature films were rejected for not being British enough? His third film, The Lodger, was also dismissed for the same reason. Thankfully, with his passion and a little help from the media, Hitchcock was finally given a chance. The Lodger was a significant success, and his other previously declined films were soon also shown on the big screen. The rest is history.
If you love the range and variety of Hitchcock films (like me!), you’ll also be excited to find that the documentary focuses on the many movies we still speak about today. Many of his films, including Psycho (one of my all-time favourites!), have incredible stories around them. Psycho was his first attempt at making a shocker, and Hitchcock decided to do this project all on his own, including backing himself financially. As many film buffs know, Psycho includes one of the most horrifying yet unique sequences- the shower scene. This documentary shows us a deeper insight into this incredible creation. Not only do we get to understand Psycho more, but we also hear about the great marketing that occurred with the release. I’ve always admired Hitchcock’s ideas surrounding this, and I love how it was released in cinemas.
Lastly, what would a documentary be without any drama? I Am Hitchcock also looks at some issues and concerns that Hitchcock faced in his lifetime and shows us a deeper look at the legend himself. The documentary also examines how the loss of his mother affected him and the challenges he faced while making multiple films. Many claimed he was funny and perhaps even slightly vulgar with his sense of humour, but here we look beyond where his entire film journey began. While I adore this documentary, my primary concern is that it focuses on his interactions with various women for far too long. It even skims over other aspects that I would have been curious to know about, such as what it was like working with the greats like Paul Newman and Sean Connery.
Overall, this is a stunning documentary about one of the greatest Directors of all time. Hitchcock wasn’t just a Director of many great films; he was a master of his craft, which changed cinemas forever. There’s a great insight into Hitchcock’s life and the many films he made, including Psycho. Watching how he dealt with the many roadblocks is inspiring and encouraging for anyone working in film today. As a documentary, the film also reveals the many dramas in his life, including romance and his interactions with women. I am saddened to say this documentary does focus on Hitchcock and his interaction with females far longer than I prefer. In return, it skips over some details and topics. Either way, it’s still a remarkable feature, and even if you think you know anything about the legendary man, I’m confident this feature will reveal something new that you didn’t know before.
9.3/10
17th October 2022
Written by Peter Walkden
WALKDEN ENTERTAINMENT
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