The Birds was the second Hitchcock film I saw (after Rebecca) and it's still one of my favourites. It has its flaws like you said but it ends up more than the sum of its parts. While I enjoy reading what people think the film is about, I think it works best as a simple nature gone wild film, Mother Earth striking back at humans.

I actually got to meet Tippi Hedren a few years ago when she was in Ireland and she was absolutely lovely (although I didn't get to say much because I was so starstruck!) Great piece Simon!