The Alfred Hitchcock Signature Collection [DVD] [2009]

This Hitchcock collection contains 6 of his film: I Confess, Dial M For Murder, North By Northwest, Stage Fright, The Wrong Man, Strangers On A Train. Each film is restored and looks really good. I will look at each separately.Strangers On A Train: This film comes in 2 disc version. There are 2 versions of the film. Original cut and preview version which has an alternate ending. Strangers On A Train is not my favorite of Hitchcock. I found it dull and not very interesting mostly because Farley Granger wasn't a compelling lead. The direction by the master was great but the bland lead just didn't work for me. The film is 4:3 aspect ratio not widescreen(don't believe the details on the box).There are several extra features here: commentary by Peter Bogdanovich and other people, trailer on disc 1. On the disc 2 there are 4 featurettes on the film and Hitchcock himself.North By Northwest: Easily one the most entertaining Hitchcock's film. It's a classic chase thriller with a political conspiracy, double crossing, mistaken identities and so on. Cary Grant is brilliant in the role and James Mason makes great villain in the film. Very fun film to watch. Also this film has the best video and audio quality in this box set.Extra Features: Commentary by screenwriter Ernest Lehman, making of featurette, trailer, still gallery and TV spots.The Wrong Man: One of the most underrated Hitchcock's film. It's a true story about a man who's arrested for crimes he hasn't committed. Henry Fonda plays the every-man very well but the real star of the film is Vera Miles who gives a very underrated performance as wife goes through a mental breakdown. This is a very sad, dark film. It's not like any other Hitchcock film. The Wrong Man is slow, beautifully shot, extremely well acted and superbly directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Not for everyone but those who can appreciate it will love it.Extra Features: Making of featurette and a trailer.Stage Fright: The weakest film in the set. A murder mystery set in London where drama student tries to clear a friend being framed for murder by becoming maid of stage star played by Marlene Dietrich. It's not a bad film, but just like Strangers on A Train it was boring. The problem is the same. The leading actors didn't carry the film for me. This film is not widescreen and color. It's in black and white and 4:3 aspect ratio(again box set is incorrect).Extra Features: Making of featurette and a trailer.I Confess: Another story of a wrongfully accused man. This time a priests hears a confession of a man who has committed a murder. Later the priest becomes a prime suspect and can't don anything to save because of his vows to the church. It's an interesting film and some great performances. Montgomery Clift is great in leading role and the supporting cast includes Anne Baxter and Karl Malden. I Confess isn't Hitchcock's best film but it's a good one.Extra Features: Making of featurette, trailer and 1 min long news reel from Canadian premiere.Dial M For Murder: My personal favorite film of this box set. An ex-tennis pro carries out a plot to murder his wife. When things go wrong, he improvises a brilliant plan B. Entire plot of the film for most of time happens in one flat. Despite this monotone setting it's never dull or boring. It's very suspenseful and entertaining. The dialog is very well written. And the actors does a great job. Ray Milland is superb as the diabolical husband. He is very charming, cool and so charismatic that you kinda root for him. Grace Kelly is also great in the role. She plays the cool blonde. Cold exterior with boiling emotions under it. John Williams is very good as the inspector and Robert Cummings as the bland writer lover. Overall this is a very good Hitchcock film. Probably my favorite one.Extra Features: Making of featurette, 3D film: A brief history featurette and a trailer.*****************************************************************************************************************************In Conclusion: This is box set is very good collection of Hitchcock's films. Here are some well known ones like Dial M For Murder and North By Northwest and lesser know ones like the The Wong Man. All the films come in very good video and audio quality and there are extra features for every single film. It's must have for Hitchcock fans. But for newcomers I suggest different collection with Hitchcock's most popular films like Rear Window, Psycho, Vertigo and The Birds.

Hitchock’s output as a direct was phenomenal. Over 50 films in a career that lasted over 60 years and his influence has shaped the work of numerous directors since. His scope was diverse; true life drama (The Wrong Man), stage play to film (Dial M for Murder), spy thriller (North by North-west) and truly outstanding film dramas. His eye for detail, lighting, positioning, setting etc is unsurpassed and each film was artfully story boarded before filming started.This is an outstanding collection which includes 6 of his best know films. Two DVDs with a neat slipcase and three films on separate discs with each dvd. An ideal taster for his work. Highly recommended.

Have not seen them yet

Excellent value

DIAL M FOR MURDER - THE WRONG MAN - two versions of strangers on a train.STAGE FRIGHT - I CONFESS - NORTH BY NORTH WEST.The DVDs have extras.

A good set of classic movies

Nothing heavy, a bit predictable. All in B&W of course but there are subtitles for those that need them. If you're looking for fast paced action packed thriller stories you'll be sadly disappointed. I pretty much knew what to expect so there were no surprises for me even though I've never seen Hitchcock's work before, the youngsters will probably be bored to death though. That said, I have given 5 stars because I did enjoy them all and they did all hold my interest, even though I guessed the ending on all but one story. DVDs were all in good condition, no scratches on DVDs or damaged boxes, sound is a bit low/naff but I still recommend.

Great seeing all the old black and white films from this era, brings back memories of how life used to be