Alfred Hitchcock's sensational version of the Daphne Du Maurier short story has suspense, horror and tremendous impact. Thanks to skilful direction and great special effects (for their time), this tale of birds turning against humans and attacking them in multitudes is chillingly effective. Star Tippi Hedren is perfect as handsome hero Rod Taylor's new girl and her performance is matched by Suzanne Pleshette's glowing, bitter-sweet portrayal of the local schoolteacher, who's in love with Taylor, too. Jessica Tandy adds another keenly etched character as Taylor's cold mother, but the outstanding memory from this savage film is still the evil of the birds themselves. Why they attack is never explained and it doesn't matter a bit. Watch and be thrilled. A chilling classic.