Studiocanal is celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the birth of Alfred Hitchcock, one of the most influential directors in the history of cinema, with the December release of a Special Edition 11 Disc Blu-ray Boxset of Hitchcock's early works. For the first time on Blu-ray in the UK, featuring new restorations and scores, viewers can experience 10 of the cinematic legend's early masterworks. From the silent film era to the first talkies, the 11 disc Blu-ray box set also contains a newly commissioned documentary Becoming Hitchcock, exploring the director's first sound picture Blackmail, plus a 64-page booklet and poster.

Hitchcock's silent films including The Ring (1928), The Farmer's Wife (1929) and Champagne(1928) were greeted with great enthusiasm by critics and were heralded as evidence that British films had reached an international standard of artistry. Hitchcock's final silent film The Manxman(1930) was also a considerable commercial success.

In 1929, Hitchcock directed Blackmail, the first British sound feature, hailed as a film which "used sound and dialogue with more flair and imagination than any Hollywood or European film of the time." Hitchcock's inventive and expressionist use of sound demonstrated that the new technology opened a new realm of possibilities. In the wake of Blackmail, there were searches for new challenges. These included adaptations of two high profile plays, Juno and the Paycock (1930) and The Skin Game (1931), two more thrillers Murder! (1930), Number Seventeen (1932), and an intriguingly odd marital drama, the appropriately titled Rich and Strange (1932).

Born in London in 1899 and Jesuit educated, Alfred Hitchcock's first job was with an electrical company where art school training enabled him to draw technical advertisements. He subsequently designed title cards for silent films when he joined the fledgling industry in the early 'twenties. Hitchcock rapidly acquired a thorough grounding in all aspects of early film making, including writing, design and direction. From the age of sixteen he had taken a serious interest in cinema and found himself most influenced, both technically and visually by the early masters of silent film; Griffiths, Murnau and Fritz Lang.

Hitchcock directed his first feature film, The Pleasure Garden in Germany in 1925 and received immediate critical acclaim. By the age of twenty-seven with several successes behind him he was regarded as one of the most promising young film directors in Europe, with a reputation for being a patient, polished, highly intelligent director who showed more subtlety and imagination in his work than most of his contemporaries.

His wife Alma Reville, born in the same year as Alfred, had been working in the film industry for five years when they met in 1920 at Gainsborough Studios and she made a significant contribution to his early films working on screen adaptations, casting, scouting locations, plotting camera angles and checking rushes. Apparently Hitchcock required each and every film in his oeuvre to have Alma's final seal of approval before being finished.

Hitchcock: The Beginning will be released as an 11-disc Blu-ray box set on 16 December by Studiocanal at the pre-order price of £119.99.

BLU-RAY BOX SET CONTENTS AND SPECIAL FEATURES:

THE RING (1927) – Disc 1

Starring Ian Hunter, Carl Brisson, Lillian Hall-Davies, Gordon Harker.
106min. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

The Ring is a love triangle melodrama set in the world of boxing: the title refers not just to the boxing ring, but also to the wedding ring which unites Jack 'one round' Sander (Carl Brisson) and his girlfriend Mabel (Lilian Hall-Davis).

One of Hitchcock's finest silent films, The Ring is unique as his one and only original screenplay, its neatness and economy confirmed him as Britain's leading filmmaker of his generation.

Restoration (2012): The restoration process has worked hard to minimise the effects of shrinkage through a combination of careful grading and much manual restoration work. A French print, made of alternative takes so it couldn't be used as a source, was nevertheless used as a reference to confirm important stylistic features of the film's narration. New title cards were remade using a new hand-crafted font. A restoration by the BFI National Archive in association with Studiocanal Principal restoration funding provided by The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Film Foundation. Additional funding provided by Deluxe 142 and The Mohamed S. Farsi Foundation.

Special Features:

• New A Knockout Score: Neil Brand on The Ring
• Hitchcock/Truffaut: archival audio interview
• Introduction by director / film fistorian Noël Simsolo
• Stills gallery

Score composed and performed by Antonio Coppola

THE FARMER'S WIFE (1928) – Disc 2

Starring Lillian Hall-Davies, Jameson Thomas, Gordon Harker.
112min. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1.

The Farmer's Wife concerns the search of a widowed farmer, Samuel Sweetland (Jameson Thomas), for a new wife, approaching four local spinsters with arrogant expectation, only to be wounded by rejection each time.

Adapted from a popular play by Eden Philpotts, this semi-comic story is shot, as Truffaut observed, 'like a thriller'. The camera, on occasion handled by Hitchcock himself, observes the action cinematically and the film is directed with great subtlety particularly in two virtuoso party scenes, where Hitchcock's use of long takes and meticulous choreography of a large group of actors are superb.

Restoration (2012): After an international search, the earliest available sources for the film were established as two preservation intermediates made from the camera negative in the 1960s. After careful selection, the best sections were scanned from both, to form the basis of the restoration. A restoration by the BFI National Archive in association with Studiocanal. Restoration funding provided by Matt Spick. Additional funding provided by Deluxe 142.

Special Features:

• Hitch in the Countryside: Neil Brand on The Farmer's Wife
• Extract from BEHP audio interview with Ronald Neame
• Hitchcock/Truffaut: archival audio Interview
• Introduction by director / film Historian Noël Simsolo

Stills gallery

The Farmer's Wife features two different scores:

• A piano score composed and performed by Neil Brand
• A score composed and performed Jon C. Mirsalis

CHAMPAGNE (1928) – Disc 3

Starring Betty Balfour, Gordon Harker, Ferdinand Von Alten, Jean Bradin.
105min. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1.

Disapproving of her love affair, a millionaire (Gordon Harker) sets out to teach his irresponsible daughter (Betty Balfour) a lesson by pretending to lose all his money in Champagne.

Hitchcock's second release of 1928, a bubbly comic parable built around Betty Balfour's effervescent energy contains flashes of Hitchcock brilliance, with witty shots through a champagne glass. An early example of Hitchcock's long-term fascination with the foibles of the wealthy, the film's themes feel particularly pertinent in the modern age of celebrity obsession

Restoration (2012): There is only one source for Champagne, an original negative from which all surviving prints have been made. It is thought that this was a '2nd Negative' made from alternative shots to the main negative as there are a number of editing idiosyncrasies. Nevertheless, some improvements were made to continuity, dissolves were re-made and full image repair and grading was completed. A restoration by the BFI National Archive in association with STUDIOCANAL. Principal restoration funding provided by The Eric Anker-Petersen Charity. Additional funding provided by Deluxe 142.

Special Features:

• New Hitch & Champagne: Neil Brand on music for silent film
• New A Heady Cocktail: Charles Barr on Champagne
• Hitchcock/Truffaut: archival audio interview
• Audio commentary by film historian Farran Smith Nehme
• Introduction by director / film Historian Noël Simsolo
• Stills gallery

Champagne features two different scores:

• A piano score composed and performed by Neil Brand
• A piano score composed and performed by Ben Model

THE MANXMAN (1929) – Disc 4

Starring Carl Risson, Anny Ondra, Malcolm Keen.
100min. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

In a remote Isle of Man fishing community, two men, friends since childhood, find themselves in love with the same woman.

The Manxman was to be Alfred Hitchcock's last silent film, and one of the best and most mature works of his early career. An intriguing study of secrecy, suspicion and guilt, Hitchcock ensures the viewer's sympathies keep shifting and makes dramatically effective use of scenes where characters witness or overhear others while remaining unseen themselves.

Restoration (2012): Three source elements were used to reconstruct the film – the original camera negative, an acetate fine grain positive and a nitrate print from the twenties. Balancing these sources without disrupting the flow of the film was a major concern in restoration. A restoration by the BFI National Archive in association with Studiocanal. Restoration funding provided by Daniel & Joanna Friel and Ronald T Shedlo. Additional funding provided by Deluxe 142.

Special Features:

• New Melodrama à la Manx: Stephen Horne on scoring Hitchcock
• New Hitch's Leading Ladies by Davina Quinliven
• Audio commentary by film historian Farran Smith Nehme
• Hitchcock/Truffaut: archival audio interview
• Introduction by director / film Historian Noël Simsolo
• Stills gallery

The Manxman features three different scores:

• A new score by Stephen Horne, orchestrated and conducted by Ben Palmer, performed by the Orchestra da Camera di Pordenone
• A score composed and performed by Antonio Coppola
• A piano score composed and performed by Andrew Earle Simpson

BLACKMAIL (1929) – Disc 5 (silen t and sound versions)

Starring Anny Ondra, John Longden, Cyril Ritchard.
Silent version 76min. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Sound version 86min. Aspect Ratio: 1.19:1

Grocer's daughter Alice White (Anny Ondra) kills a man in self-defence when he tries to sexually assault her. Her policeman boyfriend covers up for her, but she has been spotted leaving the scene by a petty criminal who tries to blackmail her.

A highpoint in his early career, Hitchcock began Blackmail as a silent film. With its striking imagery, montage editing and vivid evocation of contemporary London life, it is one of the most iconic of all Hitchcock's London films, featuring many scenes in the British Museum, including an exciting climactic chase sequence inside and on the roof. Rapidly responding to the advent of sound, Hitchcock not only turned the film he'd started into Britain's first notable talkie but used the soundtrack as one more instrument in his directorial toolbox.

4K restoration (2024) of the silent version: This restoration was scanned in 4k by the British Film Institute in the UK, from the original 35mm nitrate negative. Colour grading and restoration were completed by Silver Salt Restoration in the UK, who dedicated over 200 hours to manually clean and carefully remove sparkle, dirt and scratches, repair of missing frames and tears. A restoration by Studiocanal, supervised by Jahanzeb Hayat and Mariana Ledesma.

4K restoration (2024) of the sound version: This restoration was scanned in 4k by Silver Salt Restoration in the UK, from a 35mm duplicating positive. Colour grading and restoration were completed by Silver Salt Restoration in the UK, who dedicated over 300 hours to manually clean and carefully remove sparkle, dirt and scratches, repair of missing frames, tears and correction of severe density fluctuation. A restoration by Studiocanal, supervised by Jahanzeb Hayat and Mariana Ledesma.

Special Features:

• New Silent into Sound: Neil Brand on Blackmail
• Anny Ondra's screen test
• Extract from BEHP audio interview with Ronald Neame
• Audio Commentary by film historian Tim Lucas
• Hitchcock/Truffaut: archival audio interview
• Introduction by director / film historian Noël Simsolo
• Stills gallery

Blackmail (silent version) features a new score composed and performed by Moritz Eggert

SPECIAL CINEMA SCREENINGS: The World Premiere of the new 4K restoration of Blackmail (1929, sound version) took place at the Festival ère in Lyon on 13 October. Followed by its UK Premiere in Weston-Super-Mare as part of the Film Noir and Crime Film Festival on 2 November with additional screening on 3 November with live music by Neil Brand.

MURDER! (1930) – Disc 6

Starring Herbert Marshall, Nora Baring, Edward Chapman, Phyllis Konstam.
102min. Aspect Ratio: 1.19:1

+ MARY (1931)
Starring Alfred Abel, Olga Tchekowa, Paul Graetz.
80min. EST

An actress is convicted of the murder of another actress in the same touring company. But the distinguished actor Sir John Menier (Herbert Marshall), who served on the jury at her trial, becomes convinced of her innocence.

One of Hitchcock's few whodunits, Murder! is a fascinating, multi-layered study of the role played by performance in public and private life, and features long, carefully choreographed takes, as well as an intriguing take on sexuality.

Included as an extra is Mary, the German language version of Murder!, made at the same time as the English original and boasting not only top actor Abel (Phantom, Metropolis, L'Argent) but mysterious silent-era star Tchekowa. The film reflects the influence of German Expressionism on Hitchcock's lighting.

Special Features:

• Mary (1931) German version of Murder
• Alternate ending
• Audio Commentary by film critic Nick Pinkerton
• Hitchcock/Truffaut: archival audio interview
• Introduction by director / film historian Noël Simsolo
• Stills gallery

JUNO & THE PAYCOCK (1930) – Disc 7 – New 4K Restoration, Blu-ray Premiere

Starring Barry Fitzgerald, Marie O'Neill, Edward Chapman, Sara Allgood.
95min. Aspect Ratio: 1.19:1

During the Irish Civil War in 1922, a family earns a big inheritance. They start leading a rich life, forgetting what the most important values are.

Based on the successful play by Seán O'Casey, Hitchcock filmed a faithful reproduction of the play using fewer of his directorial touches than he usually incorporated, often asking cinematographer Jack Cox to hold the camera for long single shots.

4K restoration (2024): This restoration was scanned in 4k 16 BIT by Silver Salt Restoration in the UK, from the original 35mm nitrate negative. Colour grading and restoration were completed by Silver Salt Restoration, who dedicated over 300 hours to manually clean and carefully remove sparkle, dirt and scratches, repair of missing frames, tears and correction of severe density fluctuation. A restoration by Studiocanal, supervised by Jahanzeb Hayat and Mariana Ledesma.

Special Features:

• New Hitch & The Irish Players: An Interview with Charles Barr
• Hitchcock/Truffaut: archival audio interview
• Stills gallery

RICH AND STRANGE (1931) – Disc 8

Starring Henry Kendall, Joan Barry, Percy Marmont, Betty Amann, Elsie Randolph.
83min. Aspect Ratio: 1.19:1

Married couple Fred and Emily Hill (Henry Kendall and Joan Barry) go on a world cruise to escape their humdrum lives. Their relationship begins to fall apart when they both become attracted to other people. A charming film that possesses many of Hitchcock's signature touches and with a somewhat daring theme which Hitchcock would return to in The 39 Steps.

4K restoration (2021): This restoration was scanned in 4k by Silver Salt Restoration in the UK, from a 35mm duplicating positive. Colour grading and restoration were completed by Silver Salt Restoration. A restoration by Studiocanal, supervised by Jahanzeb Hayat.

Special Features:

• New Unexpectedly Personal: Charles Barr on Rich and Strange
• Audio Commentary by film historian Troy Howarth
• Hitchcock/Truffaut: archival audio interview
• Introduction by director / film historian Noël Simsolo
• Stills Gallery

THE SKIN GAME (1931) – Disc 9

Starring Edmund Gwenn, Helen Haye, C V France, Jill Esmond, John Longden, Phyllis Konstam.
82min. Aspect Ratio: 1.19:1

The rivalry between a gentrified family and a wealthy tradesman turns to tragedy when the former use their discovery of the dark past of the tradesman's daughter-in-law to thwart his building plans.

Adapted by Hitchcock with a script by Alma Reville, from the successful stage play by John Galsworthy, The Skin Game presents a powerful and convincing portrayal of industrial encroachment on the rural gentry with a mix of long-take dialogue scenes and montage.

New HD remaster by Studiocanal.

Special Features:

• New Alma Reville: Jo Botting & Natalie Morris in Conversation
• Hitchcock/Truffaut: archival audio interview
• Introduction by director / film historian Noël Simsolo
• Stills gallery

NUMBER SEVENTEEN (1932) – Disc 10

Starring John Stuart, Anne Grey, Leon M Lion.
64min.  Aspect Ratio: 1.19:1

A detective (John Stuart) tracks a group of criminals to a deserted house above a rail depot which they are using to escape to the continent.

A comedy thriller, adapted from Joseph Farjeon's play, Hitchcock was initially unhappy with the project as he considered the story to be riddled with cliches, so the script written by Rodney Ackland with Hitchcock and Alma Reville takes on a satirical and entertaining tone and contained the first appearance of what was to become a characteristic of Hitchcock's work – a MacGuffin – in this case a stolen necklace.

4K restoration (2021): This restoration was scanned in 4k by Silver Salt Restoration in the UK, from a 35mm duplicating positive. Colour grading and restoration were completed by Silver Salt Restoration. A restoration by Studiocanal, supervised by Jahanzeb Hayat.

Special Features:

• New From Silent Film Idol to Superman: John Stuart by Jonathan Croall
• Audio Commentary by film historian and critic Peter Tonguette
• Hitchcock/Truffaut: archival audio interview
• Introduction by director / film historian Noël Simsolo
• Lobby Cards Gallery

BECOMING HITCHCOCK – THE LEGACY OF BLACKMAIL (2024) – Disc 11

Directed by Laurent Bouzereau, narrated by Elvis Mitchell, produced by Studiocanal. Laurent Bouzereau and Markus Keith co-produced the film through their company Nedland Films, 72min

Becoming Hitchcock – The Legacy of Blackmail, a brand new 72-minute documentary from award-winning filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau (Faye, Music by John Williams, Five Came Back) and narrated by historian, critic and filmmaker Elvis Mitchell, reflects the development of Alfred Hitchcock's signature style, through the making of one of his benchmark films, Blackmail (1929). The documentary highlights the birth of the "Hitchcock Touch" at a period when talking pictures first emerged and explores his trademark themes, such as murder, suspense and cool blondes. While focusing on Blackmail, the documentary reveals how this film also foreshadows the director's later masterpieces, from Psycho to North by Northwest and from The Birds to Frenzy.

Becoming Hitchcock – The Legacy of Blackmail premiered at the Festival Lumière in Lyon on 18 October, introduced by director Laurent Bouzereau.