Buying Hitchock DVD's for my girlfriend...
 

She likes them so I'm going to get her a few.

I know very little about the movies and even less about the DVD's. (don't take it personally)

There are numerous sets available, but some of them are out of stock everywhere (OOP?). I think her favorites are Notorious and Rebecca, but I can't find those.

She doesn't have any. What sets or movies should I get? I'm looking to spend $100 to $200.

Thanks.

Try and pick up the criterion boxset. It's OOP (out of print), but you might still be able to find it at certain retail stores, i.e. Best Buy, Borders, etc. You can pick it up for about $100+. Also check the dvd forums and ebay if you can't find it. It has some fantastic titles, including Rebecca, Notorious, Spellbound, Lady Vanishes, and The 39 Steps. I'd recommend every title in that set.

Not sure if you want individual recommendations or not, but here goes:


If she likes those two I am not sure if she would like the witty mystery/adventure of North By Northwest (my favorite).

The dvd is excellent in all areas (sound, picture, extras)


But for darker Hitchcock films try to track down the Criterion versions of his films.

Also gets his Universal CE's:
Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, The Birds, Marnie (I liked this one of Hitchcock's most underrated)

Actually, there are so many Hitchcock films, you will probably get a recommendation for each one!

Don't forget Frenzy.

I second Nonametofame. You can probably find that set in Best Buy for $100. It has 5 films, the two you mentioned (Rebecca and Notorious), Spellbound, The 39 Steps and the Lady Vanishes. That only comes to $20 dollars a piece for incredible Criterion discs, and Rebecca is 2-discs.

Just a word of caution. Don't be tempted by the cheap box sets or individual DVDs of 39 Steps, etc. They suck in sound and picture quality. As was said earlier pick up the Criterion version of those.

I really like To Catch A Thief with Grace Kelly and Cary Grant.

Criterion!!! THe new warners set is not bad either, but you may want to stick to basics if she doesn't have a collection....vertigo, rear window, NXNW....i like Marnie as well

To echo some comments here, the Criterion Box Set of the 5 Hitchcock films is a must for any Hitchcock fan. Though out of print, you might be able to find it at some places online or at a store. It is superb.

Other titles not in that box set that are also must sees: Vertigo, North By Northwest (not my favorite, but seems to be popular enough), Psycho, Rear Window


Vertigo, Rear Window, and Rebecca are my favorite Hitchcocks.

If you can't find it at a local B&M, check the Amazon marketplace for the Criterion box set ...you should be able to pick it up for around $100-110 from one of the sellers there. Otherwise, you might want to "make-your-own-Hitchcock" box set: my personal choices would be Shadow of a Doubt; Rear Window; To Catch a Thief; Vertigo; Psycho; and North by Northwest.

I like:

Notorious
Rear Window
North by Northwest
Dial M for Murder
Rebecca
Strangers on a Train
To Catch a Thief

the criterion box is available for around 100 at the amazon marketplace as of a few days ago.

Thanks for all the advice.

I checked Best Buy here and a couple of online stores, but no one has that Criterion set. I will try the Amazon marketplace now.

Got it there for $104. The set has her two favorites, so I think she will be happy.

Thanks

Congrats, she'll thank you big time.....and you'll thank us big time.

Re: Buying Hitchock DVD's for my girlfriend...
 

Versions of Rebecca are available for $13 bucks and aren't that different in video quality from the Criterion version.

Take the other $187 bucks and buy her some jewelry.

Ya see, she might like Hitch but she will love jewelry.

;)

Good voice of reason.

She is getting diamond earrings for her birthday at the end of November.

This isn't for any occasion. We just like to get each other fun gifts that we probably wouldn't buy for ourselves.

I like the thought though... I'd be an idiot if I got her this for her birthday.

Jewelry = Blah!

DVDS = YAH!

Rope... definately Rope is one of my favorites if not my favorite. Amazingly well shot, tense, and a voyeurs paradise next to Rear Window. Spellbound is amazing as well. Also, pick up the latest boxset containing Dial "M" for Murder. Haven't seen it since I was 12 and it's even better this time. Ray Milland is amazing, Grace Kelly beautiful and some understated humor. Quite excellent.

So much to like with Hitch. If she favors Rebecca and Notorious, she may also like some of the others where the movie is seen through the eyes of the female lead: Suspicion and Shadow of a Doubt, the latter being one of his most finely realized movies.
But there is so much more! The lighter thrillers like the 39 Steps and the Lady Vanishes. The Man who Knew too Much-buy both versions to compare. My all time favorite, North by Northwest. The Jimmy Stewart classics, Vertigo and Rear Window. Strangers on a Train. Psycho. Frenzy. One could go on...

Save yourself the trouble and get both Universal boxsets and the Warner Boxset. You're already getting the Criterion box so you're 1/3 of the way there. :D