Honorable Mention: The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
This film holds a special place for me because it was my introduction to Hitchcock. It is a remake of one of his own films and it may very well be his most Hollywood-ized film. With a plot that involves a Jimmy Stewart reluctantly trying to stop an assassination plot to save his kidnapped son, a hit song by Doris Day, and the films location in the exotic locale of Morocco this film has all of the ingredients that make up Hitchcock's best films.
10: Rope (1949)
Rope is an experimental film that was shot with as few cuts as possible. This meant that takes lasted up to 15 minutes and that the set had to have wall that could move so the camera could do what Hitchcock wanted it to. the film tells the story of two guys who commit a murder and then hide the body in a trunk in their apartment. They then proceed to have a dinner party where people end up actually eating over the trunk, unaware of what's inside it. This is Hitchcock using both gripping suspense and dark humor to tell a great story. The film also stars Jimmy Stewart as a former teacher of the two murderers. This is one of the hidden gems in the director's library.
9: Strangers On a Train (1951).
This film marked the beginning of Hitch's greatest decade, the fifties. It is the story of two men who meet on a train that both have someone they would like to get rid of. One of them, a psychopath, suggests that they swap murders, the other just thinks he's joking but soon realizes this is not the case when "his murder" is committed. This film is dark and suspenseful, speeding along at breathtaking speed. This film allows Hitchcock to study one of his first ever movie psychos and also experiment with some nifty camerawork.
8: The Lady Vanishes (1937)
The Lady Vanishes was made during Hitchcock's time in Britain and it represents the best of his work their. This story is distinctly British and it is done with much style. While not maybe the Master's most complex film it is definitely one of his most entertaining.
7: Rebecca (1940)
Many modern critics dismiss this film as being both non essential Hitchcock and not of high quality. Both of these statements are fundamentally false. While Hitchcock didn't count it among his best that feeling probably came form the film's heated production where he battled with the producer Selznick. In the end this is a Hitchcock film through and through. From the movement off the camera to the sexual undertones. It is the only one of his films to win a best picture award and it remains a remarkable film to this day. It also has a fantastic cast that all give great performances. It is certainly a must watch. Check out my Two Films Review of Rebecca and Suspicion.
6: Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
This was Hitch's favorite film he made and it's not hard to see why. The story of murder coming to a small town was co-written by Thorton Wilder the man who created Our Town. This film has gripping suspense and great performances from Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotton. It is the director's first true masterpiece and it still casts an eerie spell to this day.
5: Vertigo (1957)
Some might be shocked by the placement this far back for this film. Vertigo was recently named the greatest film of all time by the Sight and Sound Critic's poll. Any of the films in the top 5 could pretty much be number 1 but this is my list of favorite Hitchcock films and therefore isn't necessarily based on their merit as art. Vertigo is an incredibly well crafted and personal film. It is also beautifully shot etching images in our brain of San Francisco that will last forever. The film is all about obsession and Jimmy Stewart gives one of his finest performances. This is a film that you really have to see twice to appreciate because it is far more intricate than it seems and it is truly cinema as high art. Also the soundtrack is perfection and is the basis for most modern dramatic film scores.
4: Notorious (1946)
Notorious used to be the film that people pointed to as Hitchcock's best and it has now lost a little of its critical reputation which is a shame because this is definitely one of his best. This film stars Cary grant and Ingrid Bergman a perfect Hollywood combination and it has the great Claude Raines as the villain. Any film with that cast cannot be bad and it just so happens that Notorious is great. This is Hitch's greatest love story and it really has some of his greatest sequences. Especially the party scene when Grant and Bergman sneak down into the wine cellar to look for the stolen uranium. With a great cast and even better direction this film is truly a masterpiece.
3: Psycho (1960)
Many times people today mistakenly associate Hitchcock only with horror films. That misconception probably stems from this film which still holds up as one of the greatest horror films of all time. The less said about this one the better. If you've seen it you know why and if you haven't you're in for a treat.
2: Rear Window (1954)
This film as a great combination of thriller and complex culture study. It is glamorous, thrilling and thought provoking what more can you ask for. It has the great everyman Jimmy Stewart and the gorgeous Grace Kelly. It also has a mysterious murder and an interesting character study of all types of people. This is that rare film that can be enjoyed on the surface as well as studied and it holds up under both lenses. A truly great masterpiece this film really stands on its own.
1: North By Northwest (1959)
Is this film pure escapism? yes, are there more complex and artful Hitchcock films around? yes Are there any that are as fun and entertaining? no. North By Northwest is the ultimate exercise in escapism. With Cary Grant, spies, national monuments and sexual tension, it has it all. This film basically invented the popcorn films that we see so often today and none of them even hold a candle to it. This film may not be a work of art in the way that Vertigo is but it makes up for that in entertainment value. This is the film I turn to if I want a great Hitchcock film it has all of the ingredients you want and it is so good you will keep coming back again and again. This film is often imitated but never touched, It's my favorite Hitchcock film.
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