10 Times Movie Directors Went Too Far To Get A Scene

Alfred Hitchcock is considered one of the most important individuals in cinema history. His movies were filled with cinematic wizardry that revolutionised how stories were told, setting the standard for the horror-thriller genre, and landing him the title the 'Master of Suspense'. But despite his undeniable contribution to film, the man could be incredibly cruel.

One of his most iconic scenes saw actress Tippi Hedren set upon by real-life birds, in a vicious and harrowing climax to his movie The Birds (1963). Hedren was blindsided when she arrived on set to film the final scene, having previously only had to deal with mechanical creatures. She spent a week being dive bombed, scratched, and pecked, which left her bedridden and broken for days.

According to Hedren, the reason for Hitchcock subjecting her to such an ordeal was due to her rejection of his near constant advancements both on set and off. His way of getting back at the actress was not only to torment her during her final scenes, but to restrict her career prospects by refusing to release her from a seven year contract she had signed with him.