Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock KBE 13 August 1899 29 April 1980 was an English director and producer Labeled as the Master of Suspense he became known for thrillers often combined with a dark sense of humor After a successful career in his native country Hitchcock moved to Hollywood in 1939 Over a career spanning more than half a century Hitchcock fashioned for himself a distinctive and recognizable directorial style He pioneered the use of a camera made to move in a way that mimics a persons gaze forcing viewers to engage in a form of voyeurism He framed shots to maximize anxiety fear or empathy and used innovative film editing His stories frequently feature fugitives on the run from the law alongside icy blonde female characters Many of Hitchcocks films have twist endings and thrilling plots featuring depictions of violence murder and crime although many of the mysteries function as decoys or MacGuffins meant only to serve thematic elements in the film and the extremely complex psychological examinations of the characters Hitchcocks films also borrow many themes from psychoanalysis and feature strong sexual undertones Through his cameo appearances in his own films interviews film trailers and the television program Alfred Hitchcock Presents 19551965 he became a cultural icon Hitchcock is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema In 2002 Hitchcock was ranked 2nd behind Orson Welles in the critics top ten poll in the list of The Greatest Directors of All Time compiled by the Sight Sound magazine Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema Directors and Directions 19291968 included him in the pantheon of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States Hitchcocks critically most acclaimed film is the psychological thriller film Vertigo 1958 Although being a mild failure upon its release it has risen in popularity over the decades In 2012 it even replaced Orson Welles Citizen Kane as the greatest film ever made in the Sight Sound critics poll Regarding visual style Vertigo is often declared as Hitchcocks most perfect film The use of color symbolism meticulously composed shots and the famous Vertigo effect dolly zoom continue to be studied and admired Hitchcocks most commercially successful and most famous film is Psycho 1960 which had a significant impact on the horror genre especially the slasher film Hitchcock was able to prove his skills with the mystery thriller film Rear Window 1954 to create suspense within a confined setting primarily the protagonists apartment In this film voyeurism one of Hitchcocks favorite subjects is an essential aspect Many of Hitchcocks spy films most notably North by Northwest 1959 and Notorious 1946 had a major impact on the Mission Impossible and James Bond series
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