You Won’t Believe Which Director Secretly Remade Hitchcock’s Classics (And Made Them Better)

For decades, he has been recognized as one of the foremost filmmakers in cinematic history. His extensive career yielded a number of influential and pioneering movies, transforming numerous film genres – particularly the suspense thriller genre. Even though Hitchcock’s films remain relevant today, some contemporary viewers may discern the limitations of that time period that hindered some of the Master of Suspense’s most brilliant works.

Movie director Brian De Palma, who was adored by many during the 70s and 80s, often spent a significant part of his career reworking and reimagining the famous plotlines and tales of legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock – sometimes subtly, other times quite overtly. Though De Palma is mainly recognized by casual moviegoers for movies like Scarface, Mission: Impossible, and Carrie, his more intimate projects bore striking resemblances to the works of Hitchcock.

Brian De Palma Built His Career on the Back of Alfred Hitchcock

De Palma Owes A Great Deal To The Master of Suspense

It’s quite clear that Brian De Palma hasn’t been shy about the films and filmmakers who have influenced him significantly, and Alfred Hitchcock is one such figure whose impact on De Palma’s work is evident to anyone familiar with his movies. While it’s well known that De Palma admires Hitchcock’s style, many casual fans might not realize the extent to which he has delved into themes and techniques already explored by the late Hitchcock. In fact, even in some of De Palma’s earliest films, you can see traces of Hitchcock’s influence almost everywhere you look. Films like “Sisters,” “Obsession,” and others showcase how De Palma built upon what Hitchcock had started.

In contrast to other films that may have stricter content guidelines, De Palma’s movies had the freedom to be more daring, explicit, and less focused on moral issues. For instance, De Palma’s 1976 film “Obsession” is a nearly identical remake of Hitchcock’s “Vertigo,” and it proudly showcases its inspiration. Like “Vertigo,” “Obsession” tells the story of a man who experiences a tragedy and encounters a woman who appears to be his deceased lover’s double. However, unlike “Vertigo,” “Obsession” twists the original narrative and adds a more contemporary, emotionally nuanced twist. Similarly, De Palma revisited this concept in his later film, “Body Double” – another obvious adaptation of “Vertigo,” but this time incorporating elements of “Rear Window” as well.

Frequently, when people talk about Brian De Palma and his relation to Alfred Hitchcock’s work, there’s a common perception among laymen film enthusiasts of disrespect towards the notable similarities between these two movie makers. It’s often the case that casual viewers look down upon a director borrowing directly from predecessors, favoring something they perceive as more innovative. However, originality in art is elusive and rare – at least not in the way many people imagine. With countless tales being told across human history, there are limited unique stories to tell. Hitchcock’s films were influenced by earlier works, just as filmmakers following Hitchcock drew inspiration from him. The notion that borrowing ideas from what came before is a negative act is absurd, and Brian De Palma consistently demonstrated that his adaptations and reinterpretations of prior works were distinctively his own. He may have been greatly indebted to the directors who came before him, but this doesn’t diminish his status as a brilliant film director in his own right.

Hitchcock Was Often Constrained In Ways That De Palma Was Not

Hitchcock’s Greatest Films Still Had Limitations, Whereas De Palma’s More Modern Works Were Less Held Back

Today, Alfred Hitchcock’s most notable works such as Psycho, North by Northwest, Vertigo, and Rear Window continue to captivate audiences. Their enduring power to evoke genuine emotions from viewers, even after many decades, showcases Hitchcock’s extraordinary talent as a filmmaker and storyteller. Initially, his masterpieces were met with skepticism at their premiere, being perceived as less intellectually engaging than contemporary productions. Often dismissed as mere B-movies rather than works of high art, it’s astonishing to consider the transformation in public opinion towards Hitchcock’s timeless cinematic achievements.

As a cinephile, I’ve always been fascinated by directors whose work has been underrated or misunderstood, such as Alfred Hitchcock and Brian De Palma. While Hitchcock was often praised for his masterpieces, the genre aspects of many of his films didn’t resonate with some moviegoers and critics. The same can be said about De Palma, who faced similar criticisms for his more unconventional films like “Body Double” and “Dressed to Kill.”

However, it’s important to note that these films were not the exploitative rip-offs they were often perceived as. In reality, De Palma’s movies were meticulously crafted works of art, brimming with care and attention to detail. His thrillers and suspense films were deliberate homages to Hitchcock’s earlier work, offering a fresh take on the genre.

De Palma didn’t simply mimic what Hitchcock had done; instead, he pushed the boundaries even further. His peak works, marked by more violence, explicit sexual and erotic content, and intricate set pieces, showcased some of the most daring and innovative suspense thrillers ever created in Hollywood. Despite initial criticism, De Palma’s boldness and innovation have secured his place as a trailblazer in the world of cinema.

In contrast to films like Psycho that could only suggest violence subtly, movies such as Dressed to Kill and Vertigo’s sequel Obsession were more straightforward in their depiction of similar violent scenes and deeper, darker themes. Remarkably, director Brian De Palma often turned the expectations of his audience against them, using their familiarity with Alfred Hitchcock’s works to catch them off guard, adding an extra layer of shock value. This is particularly evident in Body Double, a film that plays on the understanding of Vertigo and Rear Window, bringing the hidden perversions from those films to light in a bold and explicit way. This innovative approach to subverting audience expectations is one reason why Brian De Palma stands out as one of the most talented American filmmakers ever.

De Palma’s Iterations of Hitchcock’s Greatest Works Arguably Surpass The Originals

While Both Directors Are Phenomenal, The Bolder Visions of Brian De Palma’s Films Give The Boundary-Pushing Stories Even More Impact

Brian De Palma can be seen as a contemporary reinterpretation of Alfred Hitchcock in numerous aspects. He doesn’t merely mimic; rather, he has assimilated many elements of his long-standing role model. Instead of attempting to duplicate the Master of Suspense’s past achievements, De Palma aimed to infuse his unique style into classic narratives. His work often surpassed the original suspenseful tales of Alfred Hitchcock in terms of audacity, intensity, and impact. This is a clear demonstration of De Palma’s directorial prowess.

Despite the fact that Brian De Palma’s most recognized films may not be closely associated with Alfred Hitchcock in terms of direct influence, they still exhibit striking similarities to the legendary director. Films such as “The Untouchables,” “Femme Fatale,” and “Blow Out” maintain a consistent style, tone, and tempo reminiscent of De Palma’s previous work, thus aligning with Hitchcock’s oeuvre. These films may not be direct imitations of Hitchcock’s work, but they carry the same genetic traits. Recognizing Alfred Hitchcock’s profound impact on Brian De Palma’s cinematic creations opens up a fresh perspective on the art form itself. Viewing this influence as a strength rather than a weakness offers an enlightening approach to understanding cinema as a whole.

As a devoted cinephile, I’d rather focus on the inherent qualities of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic films, instead of arguing that they are superior simply because they were made first. It’s quite possible that Body Double outshines Rear Window, or that Dressed to Kill surpasses Psycho. In many aspects, Obsession might even be on par with Vertigo. However, these comparisons are all subjective matters of opinion and personal preference. The beauty of cinema lies in its ability to resonate differently with each viewer. Both Brian De Palma and Alfred Hitchcock have solidified their places as exceptional masters of suspense within the film industry. There’s no need to create unnecessary competition between these two legendary directors.

2025-04-24 16:06