The Art of Alfred Hitchcock : Fifty Years of His Motion Pictures

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Summary: What a great book!
Review: Anyone wanting to explore the art of Hitchcock's movies doesn't have to look any further. I have four large bookshelves stretching from floor to ceiling with nothing but books about Alfred Hitchcock so I'm posting my review of the three best books about Sir Alfred. This is one of those three books. Mr. Spoto has accomplished a superb analysis of the Master's films. All you need to do is watch one of Hitchcock's movies, read a chapter describing that particular movie, and you'll realize just how crafty Hitchcock was when he designed and filmed his features. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: For a superb study of Hitchcock's movies
Review: Anyone wanting to explore the art of Hitchcock's movies doesn't have to look any further. I have four large bookshelves stretching from floor to ceiling with nothing but books about Alfred Hitchcock so I'm posting my review of the three best books about Sir Alfred. This is one of those three books. Mr. Spoto has accomplished a superb analysis of the Master's films. All you need to do is watch one of Hitchcock's movies, read a chapter describing that particular movie, and you'll realize just how crafty Hitchcock was when he designed and filmed his features. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: What a great book!
Review: Be warned: this review is about the first edition of Mr. Spoto's book. I have not read the second edition so I cannot comment on whether it extensively revises the first edition or not. Hitchcock's films from the late 30s on are thoroughly discussed. Each film is given a good summary followed by a critical analysis. The summaries are accurate and the analyses are terrific. Mr. Spoto deals with Hitchcock's themes, use of symbols, and directorial techniques. Not only does he cover these for each film, but he discusses how they turn up time and again in the films. This book is a fine example of how to write criticism (and I mean criticism in the general sense of the term). A fine book that should be in every film lovers collection.

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Summary: A Must For The Hitchcock Fan
Review: Everything you always wanted to know about the films of Alfred Hitchcock, but were afraid to ask; this book is a must. Hitchcock biographer Donald Spoto (The Dark Side of Genius) reviews everyone of this film giants movies, from his silent films made and produced in his native England, to his final feature released in 1976. Filled with great insight and behind-the-scenes details, this is a wonderful read. Classic films get major treatment as you might expect, but so-called minor Hitchcock movies like Stage Fright, I Confess, and Marnie are thoroughly covered as well. This book just goes to prove that minor Hitchcock is better than most other directors' best work. Filled with wonderful movie stills, this book also features some interesting on-set photos, as well as personal family portraits of Hitchcock at various stages of his life. No other film director is so much a part of American popular culture. It's hard to imagine what American cinema would be like without him. A great reference for movie buffs, I've read and reread this book many, many times and gained new insight with each reading.

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Summary: An complete and amazing study of Hitchcock.
Review: Next to Truffaut's book on Hitchcock this has to be up there with the best of them. I have a number of different books on filmmakers and on film theory and this has to be one of the best. Spoto breaks down every film Hithchcock made into seperate chapters. He gives, what I thought to be amazing insight into "Marnie" and "Rear Window" especially. Hitchcock's films are so complex and deep that they need thorough inspection and analyzation. Spoto does a superb job. Get this book if you love Hitch and you love film theory.

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Summary: Speculation that passes for "scholarship"
Review: This book should be approached with caution. Some of his speculations are ludicrous. His interpretation of what Hitchcock "meant" by The Wrong Man is stretching plausibility to the breaking point. Likewise he goes a little too far with Vertigo. Some of the chapters have merit, but he has quite the imagination, and doesn't substantiate it oftentimes. It's an okay read, but read some other texts on Hitch and his art to get a balanced (and more cool-headed) view.

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Summary: The Book Every Hitchcock Fan Should Have
Review: We got this book from the library and it's definitely one I want to own someday. Donald Spoto writes about almost every Hitchcock film individually from the 30's onward - he also has a chapter discussing the earlier films. He gives a synopsis as well as delves into the deeper meanings, symbolism, and significance of the films. There are portions of dialogue in several of the chapters, as well as many black and white photos from the films. I found the write-ups for almost all of the films to be very good and informative.

You definitely should read this book. It's not hard to read at all. I'd also recommend Mr Spoto's biography of Ingrid Bergman, "Notorious". In relation more directly to Hitchcock, I would recommend "Hitchcock's Notebooks" by Dan Auiler as the second best Hitchcock book I've read.