The movie Alfred Hitchcock was most creatively fulfilled by: “One of my favourite films”
When you have a collection of films as equally iconic and impactful as Alfred Hitchcock, you’d imagine it would be hard to pick a favourite. But while there are many directors who are constantly given opportunities to work and realise their creative visions on screen, it doesn’t always lead to a fulfilling experience, with directors like Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Chantal Akerman describing the gruelling intensity of some projects that while eventually successful, were not enjoyable in the moment. Many infamous productions have been plagued by this effect, with the directors being aware of the magnitude of the opportunity but nonetheless being disturbed by intense stress and anxiety.
In cases like these, it makes every positive creative experience all the more precious, with Hitchcock describing the one film that he was most creatively fulfilled by, despite his many creatively inspired years of working in the industry.
There aren’t many directors who are awarded a label by the public, with Hitchcock coming to be known as the ‘master of suspense’ after his pioneering of the thriller, infusing each film with witty humour and intensity to create projects that perfectly toe the line between light and dark. His signature film noir style and voyeuristic gaze sparked a whole new genre of cinema that inspired the likes of Christopher Nolan and the entirety of the James Bond franchise, partially modelling the suave style of storytelling on the trademarks created by Hitchcock.
While we might look at his filmography and objectively discern that each one is a certified classic, the director was a traditional artist, and many artists cannot look at their work in such a way, instead finding ways to pick it apart and glean insights that might improve their future projects.
When reflecting on his work, Hitchcock described the one that he was most creatively fulfilled by, perhaps hinting that he was his own worst critic, and there were many projects that didn’t leave him creatively fulfilled.
Hitchcock explained, “Shadow of a Doubt was a most satisfying picture for me—one of my favourite films—because for once there was time to get characters into it. It was the blending of character and thriller at the same time. That’s very hard to do”. Shadow of a Doubt was directed in 1943, following a woman called Charlie who feels frustrated by the lack of excitement in his life before finding out that her uncle is going to visit. However, as secrets about him come to light, her admiration for him turns to suspicion during his highly anticipated visit.
In many ways, the film is about the unravelling of childhood innocence and naivety, with a huge plot twist that shatters Charlie’s entire understanding of her own life and early experiences. Hitchcock displays a masterful attention to detail that exaggerates the tension and fear of the unknown in every scene, with the director displaying a newfound confidence after his recent transition to working within the Hollywood studio system and the creative freedom he gained from his change. While it is one of his lesser-known works, it is worth a revisit in order to understand why he thought so highly of this particular film and how this confidence translated on screen.
