Alfred Hitchcock: the greatest director

With 21% of the vote, Alfred Hitchcock has been chosen as the greatest director of all time by readers of F&R. Hitchcock is known as the “master of suspense,” and with over 60 movies to his name, he is one of the undisputed masters of film. His most famous works include Psycho (1960), North by Northwest (1959), Vertigo (1958), Rear Window (1954), Dial M for Murder (1954), and The Birds (1963).

Between 1920 and 1922, Hitchcock (known as Hitch) got his start in film by designing the titles for movies with a studio in London. Eventually, his own talent as a director was recognized, and after a false start with the film Number 13, he finally directed his first feature film in 1925, The Pleasure Garden. After directing Saboteur in 1942, studios began naming his films after him (e.g., Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho). In 1980, he was knighted. Today, he is widely considered one of the most influential directors of all time. His films are beloved by people all over the world.

Useless trivia: Hitch had two major phobias—police and eggs. He never won an Oscar for Best Director.

Comments

Derek said…
i guess it couldn't be avoided. he was pretty good, i guess. i'm sorta sad to see NO one voted for fellini.
Anonymous said…
Although I voted for Bergman, I'd have gladly voted for Peter Greenaway had he been on the original list. At the risk of being a sore loser, I have to say that I think Hitchcock's way overrated. On the other hand, I'm not exactly known as an astute film critic by my friends...
Anonymous said…
PS--What really intrigues me about the poll--and thanks for hosting it; a great idea!--is that Fellini received NO votes. Wonder why. I'd be happy to read reflections on that.
I am also sad that no one voted for Fellini. I suspect most people have never watched 8 1/2, La Dolce Vita, La Strada, or I Vitelloni. Perhaps I will write something about these films at some point.