Rating: 
Summary: One of the Master's biggest and boldest.
Review: Hitchcock had done similar films to this one (*The 39 Steps* immediately comes to mind), but with *North By Northwest* he reached the very apogee of the cross-country caper. This movie falls into a very distinct genre -- it's hard imagining this great entertainment ever being topped within that genre. For a romantic crime caper it's certainly ambitious: nothing less than the United Nations building, the vast terrain of the Midwest, and Mount Rushmore will do. That may say something about America's state of mind in the late 1950's (literally, The Sky's The Limit), but it says even more about Hitchcock's willingness to pave well-worn paths with imagination and (dare I say it?) delight. Some of the movie's famous set-pieces are now a part of Americana, so there's no need to go over them -- chances are slim indeed if you haven't seen Cary Grant in his humorous Gray Flannel Suit running from the crop-duster. Speaking of Grant, this may be his best performance. There were several "Cary Grants" during the course of his long career -- and here he's the epitome of his later urbane and self-deprecating persona. He's so urbane and self-deprecating in *North By Northwest* that this role doubtless stands in people's minds as THE Cary Grant role, subsuming all previous (and later) manifestations. James Mason is somewhat less satisfactory as the Bad Guy (his cuffs are as well-starched as Grant's, but he lacks the charm). But perhaps the movie's biggest revelation is Eva Marie Saint, shockingly icy as Grant's love interest. Hitchcock remade forever the woman who was Brando's dishrag in *On The Waterfront*; the result is the Master's most startling female character.If you love movies, *North By Northwest* needs to be a part of your permanent collection.
Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT FILM AND A GORGEOUS TRANSFER
Review: This is probably Hitchcock's best-loved film, so I won't waste time telling you how good it is. You already know. What is truly amazing is the loving care and attention that this over 40-year-old film received in its transfer to DVD. The picture is amazing (I'm watching it on a 56" widescreen rear-projection TV). The colors are delicious -- just look at those spanking red seats in the taxi cab. The sound is surprisingly good, too. It's not harsh and strident like most old films are with the high fidelity that DVD offers. Perhaps they took this into account when the remastered the sound. Although they did localize some sound effects (a plane fly-over, an off-camera voice in an auction), they did it well so that the integrity of the original mono soundtrack is not made to sound unnaturally directional; in fact, most of the movie appears to retain its original mono characteristics. There are a couple of places where there appears to be minor jumps, like they were missing a few frames from the original film. The jumps are so minor that you're not really sure if it happened, and with a film this old, it's incredible just how good they got it to look. The extras are wonderful, too, with an in-depth making-of feature (about 40 min. long, I think). Absolutely recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate paranoid suspense- adventure-comedy- thriller.
Review: This Hitchcock film, is not as dark and obsessive as other Hitchcock masterpieces (Vertigo and Rear Window) but is a brilliant paranoid's fantasy which eclipses the ideas of 39th Steps, The Wrong Man and Saboteur into a breezy sexy suspenseful stew of Hitch tics, themes, and style. Many of the best elements from his past films coalesced into this comedy thriller. It was nominated for awards and appreciated as an impressive entertainment when it was originally released but it was not immediately recognized as a masterpiece or trend setter. It's been one heck of a trend-setter too. Films which consulted with the North by Northwest blue print of mixing set pieces, intrigue, sex, multiple locations, comedy and suspense include the James Bond series, Charade, Mirage and a lesser parade of often over-produced and less then impressive wanna-be's. Modern action films owe a lot to the film as well. It also features some very risque sexual banter (a few lines were actually dubbed over in editing to appease the censors), and stirred up tremendous controversy because Hitchcock dared to stage an action sequence having actors run around our beloved President's faces. Ernest Lehman was originally supposed to work with Hitchcock on the planned filming of The Wreck of the Mary Deere. Hitch and Ernest got along well, but there was no ship wreck movie being written, so Hitch simply said that Ernest should write something else and he would clear the project with the studio. Hitch contributed some ideas which Ernest then figured out how to use. It was like writing an elaborate puzzle with Hitch contributing some important pieces. The screenplay played right into Hitch's strengths and also included some wonderful witty dialogue. The casting of Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint (On the Waterfront) and James Mason (not to mention Martin Landau and several key long time supporting players Hitch liked to rely upon -like Leo G. Carrol) pretty much insured the expensive 4 million dollar film (or so) would create some box office magic. It's perhaps the last film Hitch really enjoyed making. The process of making films was always one fraught with much drudgery for Hitchcock because he had planned so meticulously every shot, every angle before the production began, he often felt like an assembly line supervisor while shooting his films. But there were enough challenges and a bit of improvisation necessary to tackle some production problems which kept Hitchcock very interested in the project. Cary Grant at his most assuredly debonair plays advertising big wig, Roger O. Thornhill. What's the O. stand for? Nothing... but the initials R.O.T. look great on promotional matchbook covers. When having coffee with some business associates R.O.T. is mistaken by two heavies to be George Kaplan who is thought to be a government agent on the trail of a master spy (James Mason). We later learn Thornhill has been getting microfilm containing U.S. secrets out of the country in some manner and a C.I.A. type organization headed by Uncle(... well Leo G. Carrol anyway,) wants to find out why. Thornhill is set up and accused of assasinating a U.N. ambassador, he meets sexy Eva Marie Saint on a train and then. . . Well, of course what follows is a lot of improbably hooey, but it's paced so energetically and delivered with such skill few will care for one moment how likely any of it is. There's a logic to everything and it sort of makes sense.. so who cares... Along the way there's several exciting set pieces, including the crop dusting plane that tries to eliminate Thornhill/Kaplan, and of course the exciting finale at Mount Rushmore which is followed by perhaps my favorite edit in all of movies to quickly wrap up the film. I can just imagine what a truly exhilarating experience it must have been to movie audiences of the late 50's who first saw the film. A suspenseful, big budgeted comedy thriller that had a little romance and lots of excitement. The film would never have been made if it were not for Bernard Herrmann however. One of his most memorable scores graces the film and adds immeasurably to it's success, but it was Herrmann who introduced writer Lehman to Hitchcock which resulted in North by Northwest being made. The DVD presentation of the film is superb. The film has never looked or sounded better. You will also find a 40 minute documentary hosted by Saint and featuring Lehman, Landau and Hitchcock's daughter, Pat about the making of the film. There is also a pleasant commentary track featuring writer Ernest Lehman. You'll want to have this in your collection. Chris Jarmick, Author (The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder-a steamy cyber- thriller...
Rating:
Summary: Hitchcock at his best
Review: The plot, only, is worth the price. The casting, direction, restoration, extras et all make this DVD an invaluable masterpiece. Like Hitchcock, a good plot, nice acting? Order yours. One of the trailers, featuring Hitchcock selling you a vacation plan, is gorgeous.
Rating:
Summary: What's with the case?
Review: Why in the world did Warner release one of the AFI all time favorite movies in a crummy snap case? I sure hope Rear Window comes in the more suitable keep case. A very trivial point but a true insult to perhaps one of the finest movies ever made.
Rating:
Summary: "You gentlemen aren't really trying to kill my son are you?"
Review: I have always been a big Alfred Hitchcock fan and "North by Northwest" was in my view his most entertaining and important film. There are so many memorable lines in this movie (brilliantly written by Ernest Lehman) that one doesn't know where to start when recollecting favourite gems. How about Jessie Royce Landis asking the would-be assassins if they plan to kill Cary Grant. Or when Grant meets James Mason for the first time after being kidnapped. Mason: "Not what I expected - a little taller, a little more polished than the others". Grant: "I'm so glad you're pleased Mr Townsend". Mason: " ... but I'm afraid just as obvious". Grant: "Not that I mind a slight case of abduction now and then, but I do have tickets to the theatre tonight and it was a show I was looking forward to and I get, well, kind of unreasonable about things like that". Mason: "With such expert play-acting you make this very room a theatre". Or Cary Grant trying to explain to Eva Marie Saint why the police are after him: "Seven parking tickets!". Grant introducing himself to Saint on the train: "Jack Phillips. Western sales manager of Kingby Electronics". Saint: "No you're not. You're Roger Thornhill of Madison Avenue and you're wanted for murder on every front page in America. Don't be so modest!!".
Grant to Mason: "Apparently the only performance that's going to satisfy you is when I play dead". Mason: "Your very next role. You will be quite convincing, I assure you". Grant (to Leo G. Carroll): "I'm an advertising man, not a red herring. I've got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-wives and several bartenders dependent upon me and I don't intend to disappoint them all by getting myself slightly killed. The answer is no". James Mason discussing how to get rid of Saint: "This matter is best disposed of from a great height - over water!". And Mason again to a police officer: "That wasn't very sporting, using real bullets". This is a fast moving witty thriller in magnificent Technicolor with Cary Grant as Roger O. Thornhill giving the performance of a lifetime. Grant is mistaken for government agent George Kaplan and is thrust into one life threatening situation after another on the run from both the police and the bad guys! It's a roller coaster ride of thrills, suspense, comedy and romance skilfully put together with the expert Hitchcock touch. "North by Northwest" was Cary Grant's fourth collaboration with legendary director Alfred Hitchcock and in my opinion it was definitely THE BEST! Everything came together in this one - the acting by the principals was first class, the brilliant script by Ernest Lehman was packed with sparkling and witty dialogue and the music score by Bernard Herrmann was outstanding. Cary Grant as Roger O. Thornhill was at his most elegant and although nearly 60 at the time threw himself into this very physical part with the energy and vigour of a much younger man. James Mason as the chief heavy Phillip Vandamm was particularly good in a smooth and menacing portrayal. Eva Marie Saint (Eve Kendall) was the archetypal ice cool blonde favoured by Hitchcock in so many of his films. There were some fine supporting roles of note including that wonderful actress Jessie Royce Landis as Grant's mother (although in reality only a few months older than him!). This actress also appeared with Cary Grant in another Hitchcock film "To Catch a Thief" in which she played Grace Kelly's mother. Martin Landau (in his first screen role), Adam Williams and Robert Ellenstein were excellent as Mason's sinister and threatening confederates. Veteran actor Leo G. Carroll was making his sixth appearance for Hitchcock as the CIA/FBI Agent known only as the "Professor". One of my favourite actresses Doreen Lang had the small part of Grant's secretary Maggie and can also be seen in other Hitchcock films such as "The Wrong Man" and "The Birds". "North by Northwest" returned to Hitchcock's favourite theme of the innocent man on the run from both the villains and the police and being trapped in one tight corner after another. There were some marvellous and professionally photographed Hitchcock set pieces in unusual locations such as the United Nations Building, New York's Grand Central Station, Mount Rushmore and who can forget the famous crop dusting sequence at Prairie Stop on deserted Highway 41. There was also a long train sequence which is another Hitchcock trademark. Other Alfred Hitchcock films using the "man on the run" idea were notably "The 39 Steps" (1934) and "Saboteur" (1942). Some favourite lines from the film: Cary Grant (to group in Townsend's house): "What a performance!". Jesse Royce Landis (to Cary Grant): "Roger .... pay the two dollars". Cary Grant (to Eva Marie Saint): "Why are you so good to me?". Malcolm Atterbury (to Grant): "That's funny, that plane's dusting crops where there ain't no crops". Cary Grant (to Adam Williams): "Sorry old man. Too bad. Keep trying!". It has been suggested that James Stewart constantly pestered Alfred Hitchcock for the lead in this film but Hitchcock held out for his first choice - Cary Grant - who was, in retrospect, the ideal actor for this role. What a fantastic film - a Hitchcock classic - one that can be enjoyed over and over again with increasing pleasure. Surprisingly, "North by Northwest" did not win any Oscars that year and Hitchcock, Cary Grant and the film itself were not even nominated which in retrospect was a regrettable oversight.
Rating:
Summary: : )
Review: Cary Grant: Hero. He tries to save his own face And George Washington's
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular DVD!!!
Review: Warner Bros. has outdone itself with this new, pull-out-the-stops, first-class presentation of one of Hitch's best films. When I first read that Warners had rights to the film and would subsequently be releasing the DVD, I was nervous. Though the studio has championed the format from its very inception, I remained concerned that they would simply rehash the laserdisc transfer from a few years back and issue the title in their "bargain" DVD line due to the age of the film, and thus consign Hitchcock fans to suffer the ignominy of seeing "North by Northwest" denied the top flight treatment lavished by Universal Studios on the Hitchcock titles they control. (Universal's stubborn refusal to re-issue the impressively restored "Vertigo" in anamorphic should be a crime, however.) But what a surprise this disc turned out to be!! Warner Bros. was paying attention, and one-upped Universal with this terrific effort. Simply stated, the picture quality on this disc is ASTONISHING. This is without question the best this film has ever looked - and that has only partly to do with the resolution and stability of digital video. A completely new print has been struck, and cleaned up - indeed, it is doubtful the film looked this good on its opening night premiere. There's hardly a nick or scratch to be seen, and grain is totally absent. It's as if they took a giant sponge and wiped years of age-induced desaturation away. Anamorphically enhanced, the DVD's compression is excellent - blacks are velvety and rich, color is deep and vibrant, and edge enhancement (which results in unnatural "shimmer") is seemingly non-existant. For a film of this vintage, the image is nothing short of eye-popping, especially if the DVD player's component video outputs are used. Hopefully, this should raise the bar for Universal, whose releases (save for "Vertigo") of Hitch's films have tended to be grainy and a bit nicked-up in areas, though certainly still bettering any previous video incarnations. All the special features in the world don't make a difference if the print of the movie itself isn't presented in the best way possible. Make no mistake, the Universal releases look good - very good - but not as good as this one does. If you're a Hitchcock fan like me, owning this film is a no-brainer. If you're a film fan at all, this classic deserves - no, demands - a place in your collection. That Warner Brothers has paid it proper respect with a DVD of this quality (not only is the transfer sparkling, but the extras are rich in content and well done, too) is something that, like the film, is truly wonderful.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good Hitch Flick
Review: Although I think this is a very good film, I do not believe it is one of Hitchcock's best pictures. The main problems I have with the film are that the pace of is a little too slow and some of the action sequences are a bit dated. There is also no getting around some of the set shots, which are a bit trite. On location shooting would have been much more effective. As an aside, I think Welles is a slightly better director when comparing the best work of these two directors.
Rating:
Summary: A divine thriller that uses real bullets
Review: This is by far the most purely entertaining of Hitchcock's movies, at least of the ones I've seen. "Psycho", while otherwise engrossing, gets bogged down mightily during its middle third. "Vertigo" is long and a touch ponderous. "The Birds" has flashes of kinetic energy, and then a lot of dreariness. "North by Northwest", however, is a complete thriller. Or rather, a Complete Thriller. It never makes any pretensions towards grand statements -- although there is a minor note spoken about the Cold War -- preferring to let its bullet-train of a plot lead the way. The opening credits are again done wonderfully by Saul Bass, underscored by Bernard Herrmann, whose music is the sheer definition of "Hitchcockian" -- melodramatic and menacing in all the right parts. And barely a minute after the credits end, Roger Thornhill is in up to his ears after a brilliant little bit of confusion. Forget about character development and motivation, Hitchcock seems to be saying, let's get this story going. And it never lets up until the glorious end, where it finishes up as quick and neatly as it started. It's a wonderful ride. All the actors are suitably fun in their parts. Eva Marie Sainte is great as the love interest. It's unfair to classify her as the prototype of the 'Bond girl'. She has too much of a head on her shoulders for that tag (although when talking of her sex appeal it's appropriate). James Mason uses that distinctive voice of his to bring both charm and menace to his role as the villain. And Cary Grant, as Thornhill, is just too cool for school! He delivers the tight, Ernest Lehman-penned script as if he always has a cocktail in one hand and a beautiful woman in the other. And the deeper into the Thornhill's mess he gets, the more fun he seems to be having. The scene where he calls for a valet to clean his suit is the clincher; it strikes me as Hitchcock having some devilish fun with us. For Grant, even after being sprayed by a crop-duster in a cornfield or scaling the faces on Mt. Rushmore, doesn't ever need his suit cleaned. He is never less than dapper and debonair. And that's part of the fun of the movie. It's a big cartoon with cartoon-sized settings, a cartoon-style plot, and cartoon characters running around and chasing each other. Fun!
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