Distributor: Universal Pictures
Release Date: October 31, 2023
Region —
4K UHD: Region Free
Blu-ray: Region A
Notes: This is the 4K UHD debut for these five titles. The included Blu-ray copies are the same discs that have been available both individually and in previous boxed sets for a decade. The package also includes digital copies of all five titles.
Universal owns the rights to more Alfred Hitchcock titles than any other studio, and they have now released five more of these films on the 4K UHD format. Detailed information about each of the discs included in this set can be accessed by clicking on the individual links below:
Rope
The Man Who Knew Too Much
Torn Curtain
Topaz
Frenzy
[Note: Each of these titles will each be given a thorough review in time, and the above “links” will then be active.]
The Presentation:
2 of 5 MacGuffins
Like the previous two 4K UHD/Blu-ray Combo Volumes, the book-style packaging is incredibly problematic at best. One must admit that this five-disc set has a kitschy charm that could even be described as “attractive,” but it is a design that only seems special on the surface while actually providing the consumer with less value than if each film had been provided with a sturdy 2 disk 4K UHD case. Such an approach would offer adequate protection for each of the discs.
Actually, the situation is worse than this. The folder-style compartments in these Hitchcock sets don’t protect the discs at all. In fact, they could easily cause scratches if fans aren’t both incredibly patient and careful. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the compartments are extremely tight. It is a serious struggle to remove the discs and making these compartments less tight would only result in them falling out. In other words, this is an awful design any way you look at it. I had to wear a pair of clean socks on my hand to remove the discs without causing fingerprints, and even this couldn’t guarantee that the discs wouldn’t scratch as I removed them from their folders.
Other fans have also reported that the discs can get glue on them from the interiors of their folder compartments! There’s absolutely no excuse for any of these issues. People have been complaining about this kind of packaging for well over a decade, and things would change if Universal cared about the people who buy these sets. What good is attractive packaging if it could potentially damage the discs that it should be protecting?
It is a major issue with what would have otherwise been a wonderful release, and it betrays a certain amount of apathy on the part of Universal. Fans may find that it is worth the extra money to simply purchase these titles individually.
Final Words:
The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection (Volume Three) includes two or three outright classics (depending on who you ask), and a pair of interesting but flawed late career efforts on the 4K UHD format. This set would receive an enthusiastic recommendation for this reason alone if it were not for the problematic packaging.
Alfred Hitchcock Master 
“The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection (Volume Two) includes two or three outright classics”
Which is it? “two or three”?
Which are they?
Also, it is VOLUME 3!!!
Yeah, it turns out that I am human and susceptible to typos like everyone else. Thanks for pointing it out as it allowed me to correct it.
Keep in mind that I planned to answer the question as to which three in the five individual reviews that will become a part of this one.
I say “two or three” because some would argue very strongly against one of them.
I stand by “two or three.”
Those would be “Rope,” “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” and “Frenzy.”
Please try to be kind in your comments. You don’t have to wave other people’s errors around like a flag. That says more about you than it does them.
I don’t mind being asked which three, but the snarky nature of the comment is a little much. There are kind ways to present these questions and to point out typos.
Remember that you don’t know what other people may be going through.
A movie that makes us listen to Doris Day singing Que Sera Sera repeatedly is an unwatchable movie.
The original is a worthy film. Not the flaccid remake.
* You are so very right about “The Presentation”!
I like both versions, but I understand why people might prefer the storytelling economy of the first version better.
P.S. Sorry
This is a fantastic collection!