Why Is Alfred Hitchcock Considered An Auteur

Discuss whether Alfred Hitchcock can be considered an auteur. Illustrate your argument with specific references to two of his films.

In order to ascertain as to whether Hitchcock can be considered an auteur, the understanding of what makes an auteur and its origin needs to be explored. It is believed that a director can either be classified as a metteur-en-scene or an auteur. The classification of an auteur originates from the early 1950's, when a magazine in France, ‘Cahier du Cinema' produced by directors of the ‘French new wave' believed that certain directors including Hitchcock left a personal stamp on the films they produced. Francois Truffaut said. "There are no good and bad movies, only good and bad directors" indicating that he believes the success of a film is reflected on how the director interpreted the script. Auteur theory is based on the idea that the film director is the artist, meaning that a director could be seen as a parallel to a novelist or painter. Andrew Sarris was the man who introduced Auteurism to the states with his book, ‘Notes on
As we see them through her eyes we share her anxiety about them understanding her uneasiness, as we feel it too. The point when Norman looks through the hole on the parlour to Marian's room to watch her undress is another point of view shot, however this time we do not share Norman's feelings at looking at her but empathise with Marian's unawareness that this is taking place. In ‘Rear window' basically the whole film is from point of view shots through Jefferies' eyes, watching his neighbours, sharing his interest of his neighbours lives, understanding his boredom at times and worry at watching his fiancée in the murderers apartment. "So the film viewer sees the inhabitants of the other apartments almost entirely from his point of view - to share in his voyeuristic surveillance"