Quentin Tarantino Once Slammed This Alfred Hitchcock Film

Quentin Tarantino once openly shared his mixed feelings about Alfred Hitchcock’s work, particularly his 1972 thriller Frenzy.

In his book Cinema Speculation, Tarantino dedicates a chapter to Brian De Palma’s Sisters but uses it to reflect on Hitchcock as well.

He writes, “While De Palma liked making thrillers (for a little while, at least), I doubt he loved watching them… Hitchcock’s Frenzy might be a piece of cr**, but I doubt Alfred was bored making it.” Tarantino respects that Hitchcock enjoyed his craft, even if he personally finds some of the work flawed.

Tarantino has also expressed criticism of Hitchcock’s 1959 classic North by Northwest, telling Bret Easton Ellis in The New York Times, “People discover North by Northwest at 22 and think it’s wonderful when actually it’s a very mediocre movie… I love Brian De Palma’s Hitchcock movies. I love Richard Franklin’s and Curtis Hanson’s Hitchcock meditations. I prefer those to actual Hitchcock.”

He argued that Hitchcock’s potential was limited in the 1950s and that by the late 1960s and early 1970s, the director was too old to fully realize his ambitions.

Frenzy, however, is considered by many critics as one of Hitchcock’s strong late works. The British neo-noir thriller follows a serial killer in London and the man wrongly accused of his crimes.

Directed by Hitchcock and written by Anthony Shaffer, it features Jon Finch, Alec McCowen, and Barry Foster, with supporting roles from Billie Whitelaw and Vivien Merchant. The film was his last major work made in Britain and was the only Hitchcock film to receive an R rating in the U.S. at release.

The film was a commercial success, grossing $12.6 million on a $2 million budget and received praise from many critics. Vincent Canby of The New York Times called it “a passionately entertaining film” with a “superb” cast.

Roger Ebert awarded it four stars, noting it marked a return to the macabre suspense of Hitchcock’s 1940s work. Variety praised the “ingeniously fresh story-telling ideas” and The Guardian later described Frenzy as “a complex and gripping thriller” and “a rich tapestry of suspense, and a masterpiece.”

Despite Tarantino’s sharp critique, the general consensus remains that Frenzy is a significant entry in Hitchcock’s late career and a successful thriller that showcases his mastery of tension, dark humor, and suspense.

Tarantino’s criticism is fascinating because it shows how even iconic filmmakers have personal tastes that differ from critical opinion.

While he may not be impressed by every Hitchcock film, Frenzy’s enduring acclaim proves its impact and importance in film history. What do you think, do you agree with Tarantino’s take on Frenzy and North by Northwest, or do you side with the critics who praise these classics? Share your thoughts in the comments.