The Birds

The Birds

The birds by Alfred Hitchcock is based on a few media theories that I know. However, this film is also challenging a few. For example, as there are usually a stereotypical hero and villain in a film, this film is different. The 'villain' in the film are The Birds. The hero, whatsoever, is not a stereotypical hero. Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) was a hero to his family, however he did not save anyone else where as in stereotypical hero-villain film the hero would usually save everyone.


I believe I can put this film in a category of The Hermeneutic Code (keeping the audience in suspense and questioning). My decision was based on the film's plot which does not allow the audience to understand the reason of the behaviour of the birds and see further towards the end of the film.

Another media theory I am going to talk about is Todorov's Narrative Theory that can be applied to most of the films (if not all). This theory is based on the idea that films' plots are following five simple steps most of the time. This movie is one of the ones that are.

1. A stage of equilibrium
2. A disruption of that order by event
3. A recognition that disorder has occurred
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption
5. A return of a NEW equilibrium

These five steps can be interpreted in any way. This film is following the steps in this order:

1. The film starts with Melanie Daniels (Tippe Hedren) doing her everyday duties. She goes to an animal, mostly birds, shop. This is where she meets a man, Mitch Brenner, however, after a short talk they goes different ways.

2. As Melanie gets interested in this man she decides to make him a nice surprise by following to his hometown and bringing him to birds that she secretly leaves in his house. However, as she is leaving the house by boat, she's attacked by a bird.

3. As the attack happened once Melanie and Mitch does not take it too seriously. As the attacks repeats more often, the birds starts attacking in groups and Mitch's mother Lydia Brenner (Jessica Tandy) finds a dead body, the couple decides they need to be the way more careful.

3. The family decides they need to hide in a house as it seems the safest place to stay in. Mitch, as the only man in the group, feels the responsibility to protect his family and starts nailing up the windows. However, as the attempt to hide from the birds does not work, Mitch decides that he needs to lead his family away from the town.

4. A new equilibrium starts as Mitch, Lydia, Melanie and Cathy Brenner (Veronica Cartwright) gets into the car and leaves the town full of birds behind them.