After the financial and critical success of North by Northwest, Alfred Hitchcock's next project was a low-budget, black and white movie that was made by the crew of his then popular tv show. Upon its initial release, some critics were shocked by the film and even more shocked at when it broke all box office records internationally. It is now considered one of Sir Alfred's best films and his most famous and influential work thanks to the direction, camerawork, score and the iconic performances of Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh.