Hitchcock: British International Pictures Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Hitchcock: British International Pictures Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

A fantastic collection of early Alfred Hitchcock gems

Reviewed by Neil Lumbard March 18, 2020

One always knows an Alfred Hitchcock film when they see one, don't they? At least, audiences might presume this to be the case based on the prolific filmmaker's legacy as a master of suspense with an iron-clad grip on the genre. The very term “Hitchcockian” was coined to described films with the master's iconic style and tone. Classics like The Birds, Vertigo, and Psycho are shining examples throughout cinema history of the development of auteur cinema.

Yet early cinematic experiments by a young Alfred Hitchcock are not “Hitchcockian” in the traditional sense. Though viewers with a keen eye will still see examples of his stylistic flourishes on display in these films (such as his keen visual aesthetic), the backbone of these early productions is rather unexpected: the newly restored Blu-ray collection of early British International Pictures directed by Alfred Hitchcock delve not into psychological terror but rather romance, drama, and good old-fashioned entertainment that does not resemble the button-pusher that Hitchcock became as an innovative and daring director.

There's even a scene in one of the film's in this collection with cute puppies. Are puppies Hitchcockian? Perhaps not. Not in a traditional sense, at least. Nonetheless, the Hitchcock: British International Pictures Collection is a fantastic release which showcases Hitchock in his early days. It's essential to understanding the foundations of Hitchcock's early career trajectory and the important development of one of cinema's most inspired artists. Before the masterpiece Psycho shook audiences to their very core, Hitchcock was still growing into the auteur director he would one day become. What a treat it is to see these early gems by a master filmmaker. A must-see collection.

Hitchcock persevered to the front.

For more information on the films and film-specific reviews please refer to the individual reviews on these titles:

The Ring Blu-ray Review

The Farmer's Wife Blu-ray Review

Champagne Blu-ray Review

The Manxman Blu-ray Review

The Skin Game Blu-ray Review

Hitchcock: British International Pictures Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For more information on the picture-quality, please refer to the individual reviews below:

The Ring Blu-ray Review

The Farmer's Wife Blu-ray Review

Champagne Blu-ray Review

The Manxman Blu-ray Review

The Skin Game Blu-ray Review

Hitchcock: British International Pictures Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For more information on the audio-quality, please refer to the individual reviews below:

The Ring Blu-ray Review

The Farmer's Wife Blu-ray Review

Champagne Blu-ray Review

The Manxman Blu-ray Review

The Skin Game Blu-ray Review

Hitchcock: British International Pictures Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Kino Lorber has done an excellent job with the packaging on the Blu-ray release by including a special o-card slipcover which looks beautiful as it delicately caresses the Blu-ray case. The Kino release is a fine collectors item that can sit proudly on the shelves of Hitchcock aficionados.

On disc supplements include the following:

Disc 1:

The Ring Audio Commentary by Film Critic Nick Pinkerton

Hitchcock/Truffaut: Archival Audio Interview (The Ring/The Farmer's Wife) (SD, 7:33) is an engaging listen between the two iconic filmmakers as the medium is discussed. Accompanied by photographs presented in a slide-show style rendering, the audio-track is a must-listen for true Hitchcock enthusiasts hoping to glimmer some extra insights from the maestro filmmaker.

Disc 2:

Champagne Audio Commentary by Film Historian Farran Smith Nehme

The Manxman Audio Commentary by Film Historian Farran Smith Nehme

Hitchcock/Truffaut: Archival Audio Interview (Champagne/The Manxman/The Skin Game) (SD, 12:17) is an engaging interview segment focusing on a different set of feature films (than what can be found on the first disc in the collection). The audio is accompanied by pictures from early Hitchcock films presented in a slideshow style. There are some insights into Hitchcock's favorite moments and creative approach which make it worth listening to. Fans should check it out.

Hitchcock: British International Pictures Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The five-film Hitchcock: British International Pictures Collection is an essential addition to every Hitchcock collection. The set contains some fantastic early feature-films from the auteur director. Exploring the director's earliest works is a great way to become familiar with the filmmaker's developing sensibilities as an artist. The Blu-ray release is generally impressive with strong presentations and some supplements. Highly recommended.