‘My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock’ Review – Hitchcock In His Own Words Cleverly Examines The Legendary Filmmaker

Alfred Hitchcock died forty-four years ago, yet history vividly remembers him. Film schools teach his innovative style. Films like Psycho, Dial M For Murder, and Vertigo are known worldwide and continue to inspire filmmakers and storytellers. He is arguably one of the most influential directors of all time. He is often imitated and analyzed; in the film My Name is Alfred Hitchcock, director Mark Cousins re-examines Hitchcock’s work and legacy, creating a vivid and imaginative portrait of ‘The Master of Suspense’. 

Alfred Hitchcock passed away before the age of director commentaries. His memory lives on in both his work and retrospectives. We have a short collection of interviews and some writing, but in My Name is Alfred Hitchcock, we get Hitchcock in his own words. Well, sort of. Despite hearing the voice of Hitchcock, we are told right off that The Master of Suspense did not write or direct this film, but much of what he says is true. Instead, this unique setup offers a framing to take us into Hitchcock’s mind. The story unfolds like the widening staircase in Vertigo as “he” looks back on his vast filmography. In actuality, actor Alistair McGowan voices the famous British director and does a spot-on impersonation. In addition, this unique presentation gives compelling insights into his cinematic philosophy and inspired films.

The voice of Hitchcock takes us, in some cases scene by scene, through many of his films, from insights into Easter eggs in Psycho to his mastery of the camera to convey his stories. Imagine a world where Hitchcock could reflect on his movie with a commentary. This documentary is the closest we will have to that experience. We embark on a journey through cinema that honors the legacy of the acclaimed director and is thoughtful in its insights. 

In the film, Hitchcock tells us movies are like beautiful postcards. Above all, by the film’s end, we must reflect on his extensive filmography and see more than simple snapshots. We enter the world of Hitchcock and leave with a deeper appreciation of his films. This film works stronger than listening to a group of talking heads because we feel as if we are listening to Hitchcock. His distinct accent and pronunciation provide a clever retrospective. We conclude with a distinctive feeling of having spent an evening listening to the words of a cinematic genius. 

However, the filmmaker’s intent, and in this case Hitchcock’s, is to leave us with a brighter look at man, myth, and legend. This oral history is of Hitchcock’s life. Instead of his extensive resume, with brief mentions of his trusted partner and wife, Alma Reville. She is far from the film’s focus, but her role as an essential partner in his career and private muse is clear—a fervent supporter of her husband’s creative side and instrumental in many of his film productions. 

Alfred Hitchcock and Alma Reville. Photo Credit: Cohen Media Group.

Notably, the film unfolds in six segments. 1.) Escape. 2.) Desire. 3.) Loneliness. 4.) Time. 5.) Fulfilment. 6.) Height. Like many of Hitchcock’s films, the structure lures the audience and builds toward an intense climax. This framing is a structure to guide the narrative and adds fresh insight into how each element plays into Hitchcock’s films. Now, looking at some of the classic scenes like the death in Torn Curtain, we appreciate how and why the passage of time is a recurring theme in his films. 

Unlike many of Hitchcock’s films, this documentary is only occasionally facile in its delivery. The pacing is off-kilter at times, and there is a feeling of a long-winded conversation. While this is fascinating as it gives the film a conversational edge, it feels like a stream of consciousness and becomes draining at the ninety-minute mark. 

However, the film provides more than enough appreciation for the depth of Hitchcock’s work. In addition to being a love letter to his work, My Name is Alfred Hitchcock never shies from examining why Hitchcock is celebrated and continuously studied as one of cinema’s most acclaimed directors. 

My Name is Alfred Hitchcock is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of Cohen Media Group.