Directed by one of the greats Alfred Hitchcock, The Birds is a very intriguing movie that reveals the controversy between man, God and birds. Hitchcock portrays the conflict these three by having clips with hints about the conflicts among characters in this movie. This wasn’t just made to give a little fright to viewers about birds; it tries to open the eyes of the viewers by throwing religion into the mix.
The shot from above with the birds flying in to a burning Bodega Bay is from God’s point of view. The camera does not move during this shot and Religion was referenced earlier in the movie by showing the cross. It seems that he could be punishing these people for something because the fire is an arrow shape pointing toward the people of Bodega Bay. The fire represents the hell inferno that they have brought upon themselves. With this fire God is trying to tell these people that if you aren’t with him then you’re against him. Hell is where you will end up after judgment. The shot is from afar and shows the distance between man and God. This shot signifies that man may be distancing themselves from God.
The birds flying above Bodega Bay and the people show that they are higher or better than the people on this earth. They have been here for a much longer period of time than man. Flying above all the people symbolizes that the will not let man tame or cage them anymore. They will live free and try and stop anyone or anything that steps in their way.
This movie sends a message to its viewers by showing how man has distanced himself from God. Also, Hitchcock reveals why trying to tame animals can come with severe consequences. The burning arrow made from the destruction of man shows that man is doing something wrong in life. In many ways, the image of the birds flying above Bodega Bay shows how we are still second the first creatures to live on this earth.