Why Alfred Hitchcock Dismissed Two Hollywood Epics as Mere Scenery
Alfred Hitchcock famously criticized Cleopatra and Ben-Hur, calling them little more than elaborate set pieces, and compared their spectacle to the creative demands of his own work, like The Birds.
Alfred Hitchcock’s reputation as a master filmmaker was so solid that even his sharpest critiques of beloved classics barely raised an eyebrow. Known for his innovative approach to suspense and storytelling, Hitchcock’s influence runs deep in the film industry. Many directors have credited him as their inspiration, and his unique style has even given rise to the term “Hitchcockian.” Throughout his career, Hitchcock often discussed the intricate methods he used to guide viewers’ attention and build tension in his movies.
Hitchcock’s Creative Pride and The Birds
One project that Hitchcock held in especially high regard was The Birds. The film’s chilling attack sequences required painstaking preparation and a willingness to tackle challenges most directors would avoid. While The Birds might not be as universally celebrated as Vertigo or Rear Window, it showcased Hitchcock’s refusal to stick to the industry’s playbook. Working with live animals is notoriously difficult, but Hitchcock managed to create scenes where flocks of birds terrorize unsuspecting characters with startling realism.
What set The Birds apart wasn’t a massive budget or a sprawling cast. Despite earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Special Effects, the film’s real achievement, in Hitchcock’s eyes, was the creativity and effort behind its most memorable moments. He believed that orchestrating such complex scenes demanded far more ingenuity than simply building grand sets and hiring hundreds of extras.
Critique of Hollywood Spectacle
Hitchcock was openly dismissive of big-budget historical epics like Cleopatra and Ben-Hur. He once remarked,
“It’s just quantities of people and scenery,”
arguing that these productions required little more than impressive set design and a sea of background actors. To him, the technical and creative hurdles he faced on The Birds far outweighed the challenges of staging ancient pyramids or outfitting extras in Roman armor.
While some might see Hitchcock’s comments as the grumblings of a cynic, his emphasis on innovation over extravagance wasn’t without merit. Hollywood’s obsession with lavish period pieces in the 1960s led to a string of costly flops, leaving studios scrambling until the rise of the New Hollywood era.
Box Office Bombs and Oscar Rivalries
Cleopatra, for example, became infamous for its troubled production and nearly drove 20th Century Fox to bankruptcy. Despite a strong box office showing and a Best Picture nomination, the film’s enormous expenses meant it failed to turn a profit. Ben-Hur, on the other hand, was a technical marvel and is still celebrated for its groundbreaking action sequences, especially the iconic chariot race. While it required the kind of resources Hitchcock criticized, Ben-Hur’s craftsmanship and spectacle set new standards for the industry.
Some have speculated that Hitchcock’s harsh words for these films may have been fueled by professional envy. Ben-Hur swept the Oscars with a record eleven wins, a feat matched only by Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Cleopatra, though not as dominant, still managed to snag the Best Special Effects award—beating out The Birds. Hitchcock, despite his legendary status, never won the Oscar for Best Director, even though his film Rebecca took home Best Picture. That sting may have added an extra edge to his critiques of Hollywood’s grandest productions.