by Missy Caroline

Created on: October 20, 2008

Alfred Hitchcock is arguably the world's greatest film teacher. His films embody the meaning of "pure genius" as they exemplify what it means for a film to be considered superior. The "Master of Suspense" teaches us that as long as a director is talented and puts a bit of thought into his work, the film will most likely be a success. Hitchcock movies allow audience members to revel in the Golden Age of Hollywood and become engrossed in a whole other universe that is happening before their very eyes every time they go to the cinema. Hitchcock movies teach audience members that they too can live exciting lives by closely identifying with the protagonist in the film, never leaving the comfort of their seat in a darkened theatre.

In Hitchcock's film Rear Window, viewers identify with Jeffries as they learn about the crime committed and attempt to unravel the mystery of the missing wife. In a matter of two hours, audience members closely follow clues and cheer Jeffries on as he decidedly becomes more and more engrossed in the dangerous happenings of the apartment across the way. When his girlfriend Lisa goes into the unsafe apartment to investigate, the audience cannot help but yell with delight and apprehension at her bravery but carelessness. The audience's reaction parallels Jeffries reaction throughout the film because the film's viewers feel as if they are risking their lives as well since they are so invested in the film and its characters.

In Vertigo, Hitchcock carefully had viewers identify with Scottie, feel his pain, see things from his point of view for most of the film. Interestingly enough, Hitchcock knew he had complete control over his audience, enough so that he was able to change point of views and introduce the perspective of Judy near the end of the film. Audiences feel as if they are in a whirlwind throughout the journey, ending abruptly with no sugarcoated ending.

Nowadays, too many films have protagonists that the audience does not care for. Hitchcock had the special gift of creating protagonists who were both human and relateable to cinema goers at the time and even today. This, in turn, allowed audiences to see themselves in the film and actually care about the events unfolding before them on-screen. This is why Hitchcock has taught viewers throughout the decades to identify with the main character in his films which in turn, leads to them escaping reality and experiencing excitement and danger in their own lives, if only for a brief period of time.

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