The Birds Ending Explained, Cast, Plot, and More
by A Maria
Updated Apr 21, 2023
The Birds
The 1963 American natural horror-thriller film, The Birds, was produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It was based on the 1952 short story of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The story revolves around a series of unexpected and inexplicable violent bird attacks on the residents of Bodega Bay, California over a few days.
At the 36th Academy Awards, Ub Iwerks received a nomination for Best Special Effects for his work on the film, but the award went to the only other nominee, Emil Kosa Jr., for his work on Cleopatra. The Birds was recognized as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress in 2016 and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
The film stars Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren in her screen debut, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette, and Veronica Cartwright. The screenplay was written by Evan Hunter, who was instructed by Hitchcock to develop new characters and a more elaborate plot while retaining du Maurier's title and the concept of unexplained bird attacks.
The Birds ending explained
In the finale of The Birds, Melanie Daniels and Mitch Brenner, along with his mother Lydia and sister Cathy, barricade themselves inside the Brenner family home, as flocks of birds relentlessly attack the house. As the night progresses, the birds become more aggressive and attempt to break through the boarded-up windows and doors. While investigating a noise in the attic, Melanie discovers that the birds have broken through the roof and are attacking her.
Mitch comes to her rescue and decides to drive them all to San Francisco for Melanie's medical treatment. As they prepare to leave, reports on the radio suggest that the bird attacks are spreading, and the military may have to intervene. Suddenly, the birds stop their assault and gather around the Brenner house, watching them ominously as they leave. The reason for the birds' sudden halt remains unclear, but it is a disturbing scene.
Cast of The Birds
Rod Taylor
Mitch Brenner
Jessica Tandy
Lydia Brenner
Suzanne Pleshette
Annie Hayworth
Tippi Hedren
Melanie Daniels
Veronica Cartwright
Cathy Brenner
Ethel Griffies
Mrs. Bundy, ornithologist
Charles McGraw
Sebastian Sholes, fisherman
Ruth McDevitt
Mrs. MacGruder, owner of the bird shop
Lonny Chapman
Deke Carter, innkeeper
Joe Mantell
cynical businessman
Doodles Weaver
fisherman helping with a rental boat
Malcolm Atterbury
Deputy Al Malone
John McGovern
postal clerk
Karl Swenson
drunken doomsayer in a diner
Richard Deacon
Mitch's neighbor in San Francisco
Elizabeth Wilson
Helen Carter, Deke's wife
William Quinn
Sam
CAST
CHARACTER
The Birds plot
At a pet store in San Francisco, Melanie Daniels meets lawyer Mitch Brenner, who is looking for lovebirds for his sister's birthday. Mitch pretends to mistake Melanie for a shop employee and tests her knowledge of birds, which she fails. Mitch reveals he knew Melanie from her court appearance and his ruse was to make her appreciate being on the receiving end of a joke.
Melanie buys the lovebirds to make amends and drives to Bodega Bay when she learns Mitch has gone to his family's farm for the weekend. Melanie meets the local teacher Annie to learn Cathy's name, Mitch's sister. Annie previously dated Mitch but ended it due to Mitch's mother Lydia disapproval of any woman in his life.
Melanie rents a boat to leave the lovebirds at the Brenner farm, and Mitch spots her during her retreat. A gull attacks Melanie, and Mitch takes her to a diner to tend to her wound. Later, Lydia meets Melanie, and Mitch invites her to dinner. Lydia expresses her disapproval of Melanie to Mitch, citing her exaggerated reputation in gossip columns.
Later, at Cathy's birthday party, the children are attacked and injured by gulls, and sparrows swarm Brenner's house. The next day, Lydia discovers her neighbor's corpse, pecked lifeless by birds, and flees in horror. As Lydia recovers, Melanie offers to pick up Cathy from school. As Melanie waits outside the schoolhouse, a large flock of crows slowly engulfs the jungle gym behind her, and the birds attack as they evacuate the children.
Mitch and Melanie rush out of the diner during a fire, and Melanie takes refuge in a telephone booth from more bird attacks. Mitch saves her, and they go to Annie's house to fetch Cathy. They find Annie's body outside, killed by the crows while protecting Cathy. Melanie and the Brenners barricade themselves in the house, which is attacked by waves of birds that nearly breach the boarded-up doors and windows.
During a lull, Melanie investigates a fluttering sound in the attic bedroom and is violently attacked by the birds. Mitch saves her, and they all drive to San Francisco to take Melanie to the hospital. Reports on the car radio claim bird attacks on nearby communities, and the military may intervene. As they prepare to leave, a menacing sea of birds has gathered around the Brenner house. The car slowly drives away as thousands of birds watch ominously.
About The Birds
Directed by
Alfred Hitchcock
Screenplay by
Evan Hunter
Based on
"The Birds"
by Daphne du Maurier
Starring
Release date
March 28, 1963
Country
United States
Language
English
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
The Birds ending explained - FAQs
The Birds is a 1963 American natural horror-thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It was based on the 1952 short story of the same name by Daphne du Maurier.
The story revolves around a series of unexpected and inexplicable violent bird attacks on the residents of Bodega Bay, California over a few days.
Ub Iwerks received a nomination for Best Special Effects for his work on the film at the 36th Academy Awards, but the award went to the only other nominee, Emil Kosa Jr., for his work on Cleopatra.
The Birds was recognized as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress in 2016 and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
The Birds is considered a classic in the horror-thriller genre, and it is notable for its innovative use of special effects to create the bird attacks. It has also been analyzed for its themes of nature and human aggression.