Literary Source:
The screenplay for The Birds is based on Daphne du Maurier’s novella “The Birds,” which was first published in her 1952 short story collection The Apple Tree.
The protagonist of the novella is a farm hand living in Cornwall, and the conclusion of the story is far more pessimistic than that of the film.
It was adapted by Evan Hunter, who had written previously for Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, and the television anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
The relationship between Hunter and Hitchcock during the creation of The Birds was documented by the writer in his 1997 autobiography, Me and Hitch, which contains correspondence between the writer, director and Hitchcock’s assistant, Peggy Robertson.
Hunter began working on the screenplay in September 1961. He and Hitchcock first entertained the notion of the townspeople having a guilty secret to hide, and the birds an instrument of punishment.
Hunter suggested that the film begin using some elements borrowed from the screwball comedy genre, then have it evolve into “stark terror.”
This appealed to Hitchcock because it conformed to his love of suspense: the title and the publicity would have already informed the audience that birds attack, but they do not know when. The initial humor followed by horror would turn the suspense into shock.
At first, Hunter wanted the protagonist to be a school teacher, but this ended up being the basis for Annie Hayworth’s character instead.
Hunter organized his scripts by shots instead of scenes, although this did not affect the final film.
Hitchcock solicited comments from people regarding the first draft of Hunter’s screenplay. Consolidating their criticisms, Hitchcock wrote to Hunter, suggesting that the script (particularly the first part) was too long, contained insufficient characterization in the two leads, and that some scenes lacked drama and audience interest.
Hitchcock, at later stages, consulted with friends Hume Cronyn (whose wife Jessica Tandy was playing Lydia), and V. S. Pritchett, who both offered lengthy reflections on the work, which Hunter found difficult.
Hitchcock cut the last 10 pages in order to create a more ambiguous ending. Originally, he wanted the film to end without “The End” card, but he was forced to include one before the film’s full release.
Daphne du Maurier disliked the film, as Hitchcock had changed the location from a farm in England to sleepy beach community in Northern California.
