Hitchcock is back

NINE of Alfred Hitchcock's silent movies are being digitally remastered in a major tribute to the king of suspense as part of the so-called Cultural Olympiad to mark the London 2012 Olympics.

As part of the celebrations, the British Film Institute (BFI) is showing all 58 of Hitchcock's surviving films, as well as remastering his nine remaining silent movies - the first films he ever made.

Hitchcock may be one of the most famous movie directors of all time, but his first 10 silent films, nine of which have survived, are relatively unknown. Made from 1925 to 1929, they were the blueprints for the rest of his work and display many of the motifs recognised as Hitchcockian. Fans of classics such as Vertigo, The Birds and Psycho will recognise similar elements in these early works.

Every frame - more than 100,000 for each movie - was examined before remastering those that had deteriorated or been damaged. The restoration made the films fresher and crisper and gave them more definition.

The BFI National Archive so far raised just under £1 million ($1.6 million) to support the restoration and also will publish a book, 39 Steps to the Genius of Hitchcock, exploring Hitchcock's work and his legacy.

It’s gotta be one of the best theme songs around, you’ll be whistling this ALL day now!

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What about the classic Hitchcock Cameo!

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