‘There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.’ and that my friends is what the greatest cinematic experiences by one of the greatest film writers of all times can be summed up as. Hailed as the ‘Master of suspense’, Alfred Hitchcock changed the thriller genre by revolutionising the way suspense and tension was built in films.
He transformed the way visual storytelling came to be by introducing innovative techniques that required complex camera angles and lighting such as the ‘dolly zoom’ that soon came to be adopted by directors henceforth. With narrative styles known for their plot twists and complex characters, he knew how to immerse the audience in engaging films and story telling.
His works like ‘Psycho’, ‘Vertigo’ and ‘North by Northwest’ have not only won him fame and many accolades but they are considered hallmarks of culture that are deemed a necessary review for anyone pursuing film studies. While his ideas may border morbidity, his obsession lay in trying to transform the way fear was portrayed on screen and making it captivating for all who viewed his works.
Hitchcock was a tactical and technical genius in camera work but what is surprising is that the psychological depth of his characters always left an impact on his viewers. Even directors like Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsee have cited Hitchcock’s influence on their works given the manifestation of pyschoanalytical themes. Themes like fear and obsession are hallmarks of Hitchcock’s film style and they continue to make appearances even in today’s 21st century films.
It can be said that despite facing ups and downs in his personal and professional career, his craft has earned him not only respect but continues to inspire all in his field.
