Alfred Hitchcock was an English filmmaker known for his thriller genre films. He used innovative camera techniques and framing to manipulate audience emotions like fear and anxiety. His stories often featured fugitives on the run alongside female characters and had unexpected violent or criminal endings. Hitchcock became a cultural icon through his cameo appearances and directed over 50 films over six decades, establishing himself as the greatest British filmmaker. He closely guided his writers and insisted on visual storytelling over verbal explanations. Some of his most famous films included The 39 Steps, Rear Window, Vertigo, Psycho, and The Birds.