Alfred Hitchcock (Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, August 13, 1899, Leytonstone, Essex, UK - April 29, 1980, Bel Air, California, USA) of English and Irish family, began his career very late, at the age of 34, working as a director with Alma Reville, who later became his wife.

Hundreds of films and episodes for TV mark a career full of successes, but above all H. gave a turning point in the way of making films, with new techniques of framing that, for that time, caused a sensation. Think of the film Knot at the Throat, where the camera stops several times on the back of the protagonists. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of cinema. His distinctive style and ability to create suspense have made him an iconic figure in the thriller genre. 

The film Psyco decreed the height of his success, but other films such as The Birds

and Rear Window 

gave him enormous fame so as to put him in first place in the world among the directors of the "thriller" genre and among the best directors ever.

Early Career

Hitchcock began his career in silent cinema in England in the 1920s as a title card designer for silent films, and later became a screenwriter and assistant director.

Style and Techniques

Hitchcock is known for his ability to create tension and suspense in his films. He made use of innovative and bold techniques, including unique camera angles and editing. He was also known for making brief appearances, or "cameos," in his own films, which became a sort of signature of the director.

Iconic Films

Some of his most famous and influential films include "Psycho" (1960), "Rear Window" (1954), "Vertigo" (1958), "North by Northwest" (1959), and "The Birds" (1963).

The “Hitchcock Touch”

Hitchcock was famous for his meticulous control over every aspect of his films' production, from the screenplay to the editing. This control allowed him to infuse each scene with tension and meaning, and film critics often refer to his distinctive style as the “Hitchcock touch.”

Collaborations

Hitchcock collaborated with a roster of actors and actresses who became iconic in his films, including James Stewart, Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, and Tippi Hedren. He also worked with talented composers like Bernard Herrmann, whose work helped to create the tense and dramatic atmosphere of his films.

Influence

Hitchcock has had a lasting impact on cinema and the thriller genre in particular. His films are studied in film schools around the world and have influenced countless directors.

Personal Life

Hitchcock was known to be extremely private about his personal life. He married Alma Reville in 1926, and the couple had one daughter, Patricia. Alma was a close collaborator of Hitchcock's and played a significant role in many of his film productions.

Awards

Despite his enormous success and impact on the history of cinema, Hitchcock never won an Oscar for Best Director. However, in 1968 he was awarded the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award (an honorary Oscar), and over the course of his career, he received numerous other awards and recognitions.

Filmography as Director