Alfred Hitchcock: The Signature Collection (DVD)

There is no doubt that Alfred Hitchcock is one of the greatest directors and storytellers of all time. His movies are known for their ability to keep you on the edge of your seat and Warner Home Video is bringing home that pulse pounding entertainment to you with eight of his films for the first time on DVD along with special features for every single movie.

Hitchcock is probably best recognized for his films such as Rear Window, Psycho, The Birds and Vertigo, but Warner has put together a list of some of the more unlikely films in their Signature Collection including Oscar winners North by Northwest and Suspicion along with a two-disc collector's edition of Strangers on a Train, Dial M for Murder, Foreign Correspondent, The Wrong Man, Stage Fright, I Confess and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. From dark comedy to suspenseful thrillers this collection has it all.

Personally, I was not familiar with much of Hitchcock's work first hand, and wasn't sure just how much I would enjoy these films considering I am more of a modern era film fan, but almost every single title in this collection had me on edge. The only film I didn't really care for was Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and that isn't because it is a bad movie, it just isn't my kind of film as it is also the only Hitchcock comedy in the collection.

The rest of the films are built around murder, suspense and intrigue, whether you are following the hard-to-figure-out Cary Grant in Suspicion, the extremely likeable Henry Fonda in The Wrong Man or the beautiful Grace Kelly in Dial M or Murder.

I was surprised at just how involved with each one of these movies I got as Hitchcock never wastes his time getting straight to the point in each film as the victim usually pops up only minutes into the picture.

Not only is the storytelling amazing but so is the look and feel of each film whether it is the mysteriously dark opening to I Confess or the sinister ending to Stage Fright, no matter what, the use of black and white is effective and not at all noticeable and just wait until you learn about some of the tricks Hitchcock and his crew employed, such as the breakaway house fronts, it adds so much to each movie!

What is noticeable, however, is just how gorgeous Hitchcock's leading ladies are from the absolutely amazing Grace Kelly in Dial M for Murder to the sweet and innocent Laraine Day in Foreign Correspondent.

Another bonus to this collection are the special featurettes included with each film. Each aptly named featurette is quick and to the point as you are guided through the making of each film and the motivations behind it with Hitchcock scholars, film historians, Hitchcock family members and the cast members when they were available.

In addition to the featurettes you are also able to check out the original theatrical trailers as well as view some extra features on the two-disc edition of Strangers on a Train. The murder swapping DVD not only comes equipped with the theatrical version of the film but it also provides the alternate "preview" version, which was uncovered in 1991 and theatrically issued in 1996. While the "preview" version includes only an additional 2 minutes of footage it is always cool to check out something extra when it comes to the talents of one of history’s greatest filmmakers.

Also on the two-disc set is a commentary track on the theatrical version with several film historians, directors, screenwriters, family members as well as an interview excerpt with Hitchcock himself, the only time his voice really appears in the bonus features on any of the discs.

On top of that there are three featurettes, including modern day thrill master M. Night Shyamalan adding his appreciation to the suspense master and a vintage newsreel titled "Alfred Hitchcock's Historical Meeting."

Altogether this is one fabulous box set of which you can order the entire collection or pick and choose from the selection of eight films. We have listed all eight separate DVDs in the "Other Editions" section at the top right of the page so do yourself a favor and get "Hitched" this weekend.