The Birds - 50th Anniversary Limited Edition [Region Free] - Region 0 Blu-ray

The heart of the film is Melanie Daniels, played superbly by the legendary Tippi Hedren. She heads off to what looks like an idyllic and quiet coastal town, only to find it under siege from birds. Lots and lots of them.

Hitchcock's firm grip on the material means that he's astute at what to show and what not, investing time too in ensuring that his characters, lot least Hedren's, are more complex than your average thriller.

But of course, The Birds simply is far more than you average thriller anyway. Standing the test of time exceptionally well, this Blu-ray release presents the film with a strong 1080p transfer, and a welcome, clear audio track. There's clearly been real care and attention involved in getting the film presented this well, and along with an interesting and diverting bundle of extras, it makes The Birds the recipient of a very welcome birthday present. A masterpiece of cinema, and a must-have Blu-ray. --Jon Foster