Hitchcock: The Auteur

  • By late 1950s, studio system both at height of development and on the verge of changes which would sweep it away by the mid 1960s.
  • After years of success in film + TV, Hitchcock was one of a minority of directors who had independence from studio interference. By late 1950s, Hitchcock made films for most of the studios (usually on his terms). Including Rear Window.
  • Hitchcock worked with a close team of trusted regulars he trusted to fulfil his vision of 'Pure Cinema'. He felt that they were the best to try and get his point across to his audience. This included:
-Robert Burks (Director of Photography)
-George Tomasini (Editor)
-Henry Bumstead (Art Director)
-Bernarde Hermann (Music)
-Saul Bass (Titles)





  • Worked repeatedly with certain stars- James Stewart and Cary Grant.

What made him an Auteur?

  • Hitchcock seen as auteur with significant themes + pre-occupations in his films:
-Innocent men falsely accused, pursued or persecuted- the 'Wrong Man' motif.
-A hero burdened with guilt or charged with proving innocence.
-Emphasis of voyeurism-characters watching + being watched/spied on.
-'Ice cool' blond female who the hero must pursue or tame.

  • The majority of leading females in Hitchcock movies are played by blonde women. This was seen especially after working with Grace Kelly who has featured in 3 of Hitchcock's movies.
  • It is also brought to our attention when watching Hitchcock movies that when violence occurs, it occurs when we least expect it.
  • The 'Master of Suspense' gets this nickname through the elements of close ups on characters faces and distressing string music. Hitchcock was so effective when heightening suspense that it didn't matter how far fetched or simple the cinematic elements were, they always intensified action on the screen. For Rear Window, one critic summed it up emphatically:
The tension gets so exquisite in this film that viewers unaware of its reputation might almost miss the cinematic gimmick that made it quite an achievement: it never leaves Jeff's room. Not once.  


 Hitchcock's uniqueness and passion to get his point of across created a new dimension for the cinematic world and was one of the founding pioneers towards modern cinema despite also mixing his works with the traditional early and mid 20th century cinematic elements. If it was not for Hitchcock, the audience would not be able to feel immersed in the films they are watching. He allowed us to engage and create relationships with characters and put us right in the centre of the action through the Point of View shots and the use of the "Vertigo Effect". Thank you Hitchcock.

 Auteur signature signature traits
  • Blonde, large-chested women.
  • Same crew
  • Influence of German expressionism (elaborate costumes, use of shadows)
  • Kuleshov effect (Soviet montage 20s)
  • "The Master of Suspense"
  • Camera viewpoints 
  • Experimental techniques
  • Eccentric characterisation.
  • Sexual taboos/voyeurism. 
  • Meticulous planning re-scripts
"Self-plagiarism is style"

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