Rating: 
Summary: The ultimate (or rather penultimate) book on film.
Review: The parenthetical statement is in reference to Cameron Crowe's "Conversations With Wilder", which complements this revered tome aptly (as you can read in my review of that book). This book simply must be read by anyone remotely interested in Hitchcock or film in general. No filmmaker has ever discussed his total body of work in such detail, or with such wit and insight. Of course, no other director has a more impressive filmography: over 50 feature films in about 50 years, with many of them merely great, and several landmark films that stand above all others. Hitch's memory of the smallest details from decades before is astounding -- a true testament to his genius.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely essential for Movie people.
Review: The whole book is one big interview. Francois Truffaut discussed with Alfred Hitchcock for several days about his films. When reading it, unexperienced people get a profound knowledge about the how's and why's in movies, the experienced learn about Hitchcock's life and opinions, and the movie professionals in most cases can learn something they did not know before. This book is definitely the one film book that gets you started. At this occasion, I may recommend the Biography about Billy Wilder by Hellmuth Karasek, which is pretty similar, regarding the deepness of the contents. As I already stated: Absolutely essential for Movie people - on both sides of the screen!
Rating:
Summary: The closest you'll get to the genius of cinema
Review: There has never been a book that so cloosely examines the life of such a great man in such an interesting format. i strongly urge anyone with any sort of interest in the cinema (old or modern) to take a look at this book - without Hitchcock cinema would never be what it is today. Arguably, without truffaut, neither would Hitchcock.
Rating:
Summary: elucidating discussions by two masters
Review: this book conveys two fundamental aspects of art: respect and friendship. it is clear from the opening introductory essay that truffaut genuinely loved, respected, and cared for the works of hitchcock, moreover, for the person behind the art. and in their discussions, it is all the more clear that genuine friendship and admiration occurred between the two. truffaut's questions are informed and probing, but above all, his enthusiasm for the films echo throughout. he carefully balances formal questions with his account of his own first impressions. hitchcock is lively, never condescending, with an air of immense pride for his works. reading this book is like sitting in on a great conversation between two passionate people. it's a hard book to put down as every page is replete with great film stills and engaging discussions. truffaut covers the entire hitchcock oeuvre. for this, we should be grateful as he reminds us of the many number of works that are still widely unavailable and unseen. the book opens with a sort of a manifesto by truffaut as to what great cinema should be. the discussions that follow fall along the paths that truffaut lays down: what is suspense, the role of arbitrary fate, the unreality of the cinematic image, and how to tell a good story. it ends with a thoughtful tribute, of truffaut's reminiscences of his last encounters with hitchcock. it's a moving portrait of the last years of a genius. this book includes a helpful "bibliography" (cinemaography?) of every hitchcock movie. a truely invaluable book for any cinemaphile.
Rating:
Summary: elucidating discussions by two masters
Review: this book conveys two fundamental aspects of art: respect and friendship. it is clear from the opening introductory essay that truffaut genuinely loved, respected, and cared for the works of hitchcock, moreover, for the person behind the art. and in their discussions, it is all the more clear that genuine friendship and admiration occurred between the two. truffaut's questions are informed and probing, but above all, his enthusiasm for the films echo throughout. he carefully balances formal questions with his account of his own first impressions. hitchcock is lively, never condescending, with an air of immense pride for his works. reading this book is like sitting in on a great conversation between two passionate people. it's a hard book to put down as every page is replete with great film stills and engaging discussions. truffaut covers the entire hitchcock oeuvre. for this, we should be grateful as he reminds us of the many number of works that are still widely unavailable and unseen. the book opens with a sort of a manifesto by truffaut as to what great cinema should be. the discussions that follow fall along the paths that truffaut lays down: what is suspense, the role of arbitrary fate, the unreality of the cinematic image, and how to tell a good story. it ends with a thoughtful tribute, of truffaut's reminiscences of his last encounters with hitchcock. it's a moving portrait of the last years of a genius. this book includes a helpful "bibliography" (cinemaography?) of every hitchcock movie. a truely invaluable book for any cinemaphile.
Rating: 
Summary: Perhaps the best conversation about film by two filmmakers
Review: This book is an excellent document of who Hitchcock's mind worked, picked apart piece by piece - film by film - by Truffaut, another bonafida master of the medium. Hitchcock is so assure of himself and his place, because his self-critique isn't so whitewashed and he admits to mistakes, admits to acts of brilliance and admits most of all that he was truly the genius filmmaker that every who has seen at least 3 of his films can attest to. Detailed discussion on how shots were done in say, Psycho, Vertigo, The Birds. Script changes in Rebecca, Suspicion and Spellbound. Hitch's method is unique and can't (nor shouldn't) be copied, but to understand it enriches a readers subsequent understanding of cinema who's career spanned from the Silents to the 1970s!!! And he left and indeliable mark on directing, and film-storytelling as whole. The only other interview book that is as exhaustive in the craft of filmmaking are Peter Bogdanovich's WHO THE DEVIL MADE I.T. His THIS IS ORSON WELLES isn't a bad supplement either!!
Rating:
Summary: I can't put it down!
Review: This book is unbelievable! Two of the greatest film minds talking to one another about the structure and composition of film. It's a huge interview that spaned a couple days and takes about a few hours to read. It is such a great read for anyone interested in film, Hitchcock, and Truffant.
Rating:
Summary: A conversation with two masters of film
Review: This book-length interview of one brilliant director by another is an exceptionally insightful and interesting introduction to the way movies are created. Hitchcock's passion and humor make the book almost as much fun as his best movies. Read it with a pen in hand to make a list of films to see for the first time or to watch with renewed appreciation.
Rating:
Summary: Justly Famous: An Important Document and a Good Read
Review: This is an important document in film history and scholarship and a fun, interesting read. Two great artists discuss film in general and Hitchcock's work in particular. The interview provides some interesting background facts about some of the films, revealing analyses, and some clues to the ideas and goals Hitchcock had when making his pictures. I would offer one caveat: after reading this book through several times, I confess that occasionally I suspect the veracity of a few of Hitchcock's remarks. Sometimes Hitchcock appears too agreeable to Truffaut's observations, endorsing statements that contradict what he's stated or suggested elsewhere. I don't mean to suggest that Hitchcock lied or behaved maliciously; I don't even mean this as criticism. I believe simply that in details that were of small importance to him, Hitchcock didn't bother to dissent, leaving Truffaut to believe as he liked. Also, they both occasionally get their facts wrong when talking about an older film, a mere failure of memory. It's helpful knowing these things going in; otherwise, no harm done-it's still a great book, one that should be read by every Hitchcock fan and anyone who's wanted to know a little bit more about any of his films.
Rating:
Summary: Justly Famous: An Important Document and a Good Read
Review: This is an important document in film history and scholarship and a fun, interesting read. Two great artists discuss film in general and Hitchcock's work in particular. The interview provides some interesting background facts about some of the films, revealing analyses, and some clues to the ideas and goals Hitchcock had when making his pictures. I would offer one caveat: after reading this book through several times, I confess that occasionally I suspect the veracity of a few of Hitchcock's remarks. Sometimes Hitchcock appears too agreeable to Truffaut's observations, endorsing statements that contradict what he's stated or suggested elsewhere. I don't mean to suggest that Hitchcock lied or behaved maliciously; I don't even mean this as criticism. I believe simply that in details that were of small importance to him, Hitchcock didn't bother to dissent, leaving Truffaut to believe as he liked. Also, they both occasionally get their facts wrong when talking about an older film, a mere failure of memory. It's helpful knowing these things going in; otherwise, no harm done-it's still a great book, one that should be read by every Hitchcock fan and anyone who's wanted to know a little bit more about any of his films.
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