The Birds (1963): Ah, Bodega Bay ... so tranquil, so scenic. Until the killer birds come swooping in to peck everyone to bloody bits. The screeching noise alone that these creatures make is frightening in Alfred Hitchcock's classic, but it's his use of silence that's truly, deeply disturbing. The staccato unpredictability of their movements adds to the sense of unease, the fierce darkness of the crows' feathers providing a sharp contrast to Tippi... more 

The Birds (1963): Ah, Bodega Bay ... so tranquil, so scenic. Until the killer birds come swooping in to peck everyone to bloody bits. The screeching noise alone that these creatures make is frightening in Alfred Hitchcock's classic, but it's his use of silence that's truly, deeply disturbing. The staccato unpredictability of their movements adds to the sense of unease, the fierce darkness of the crows' feathers providing a sharp contrast to Tippi Hedren's blonde, creamy features. And then there's that last scene, where the birds are just sitting there peacefully, watching our heroes drive away ... is it a sign of the apocalypse? Or just a good excuse to be unnerved? Either way, it's still scary as hell today. less