I remember reading the novel and being really scared. But when the movie came out in '63 I was so disappointed and thought it was silly. Tonight I decided to give it another go, it was even worse than I remembered. Did Hitchcock dislike women, think they were utter idiots? The lack of dialogue is unbelievable and very stilted when they do finally speak, the only character who seems any way normal and able to act is Rod Taylor. The women and young girl just stand around, doing and saying stupid stuff, acting pathetic. As women aren't like this in real life I think Hitchcock must have had mother issues somewhere in his life.
Not a classic but a lesson in how not to direct.
