Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #645685 in Books
• Published on: 1990-09-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 395 pages

Review
It is impossible not to be impressed by the richness, justice, and eloquence of [Woods] readings like "Rope, Notorious, Under Capricorn," and "The Man Who Knew Too Much." . . . If there are still any doubters about Hitchcock's central place in the canon of 20th century artists, they should address themselves to this wonderful study, where they will find the case for the defense magisterially outlined and argued with sustained, fiery conviction.

Customer Reviews

A thorough and academic trawl through the master
This book is one of Robin Wood's better known works and stands as both one of the best pieces of Hitchcock criticism ever penned, and as a model of auteur analysis in general [an area Wood has consistently been aligned with since his involvement with the magazine MOVIE in the 1960's]. It contains very detailed readings of Hitch's most famous and revered films, from Strangers On A Train through to Torn Curtain and encompassing Rear Window, Vertigo, North By Northwest, Psycho, The Birds, Marnie et al. And also a second section which contains some broader ranging pieces on things like Shadow Of A Doubt [and Its A Wonderful Life] and American Ideology, Hitchcock and homosexuality [a very revealing piece on Rope] and a fascinating psychoanalytical reading of Vertigo. As well as pieces on some of Hitch's lesser known and British films. The one big problem with Wood, as with many British critics [and autuerists] of his generation like V.F Perkins [who also wrote for MOVIE], is his often self-consciously highbrow approach, too often too eager to validate cinema as art by comparing it to other art forms [ for example there is a piece in Wood's latest, and indeed last book Sexual Politics And Narrative Film comparing Renoir and The Rules Of The Game to Mozart]. But this is far less prominent in this book, as he concerns himself primarily with just analyising and interpreting the works in question. His writing here is as lucid, beautifully constructed and insightful as always and his interst in and passion for Hitchcock in particular and the cinema in general is evident in every paragraph. As mentioned this is less pretentious than some of Wood's other works, it is nevertheless still too scholarly for the passing film fan. But for the serious film buff and especialy the film student, this is an indispensible work that should prove useful and certainly insightful again and again. And will no doubt enrich your understanding of Hitchcock's films.

very intersting
this is an extremily readable book that looks at many of hitchcock's greatest films. the writer enters deeply into the world of hitchcock on an engaged and psychological level he uses psychoanalytic and archetypal ideas to think about what hitch is doing and how he succeedes. a very readable attempt at looking at the symbolism in a psychological sence in these films. but not necessarily freudian and reductionist.....highly rated