North by Northwest

Rating:
Summary: Get Sucked In
Review: How do you get someone to keep watching something? Involve them personally. Hitchcock did this perfectly in North by Northwest. No one could care less about some playboy ad executive in New York, but let him experience something unusual at the same time the audience does, it draws you into the picture and makes it personal. Cary Grant's character Roger Thornhill is as clueless about what is happening to him as we are. We are discovering like he is that all is not as it would seem. Consequently, he reacts like anyone would. This is what makes this movie so good. It makes you believe it could happen to you. Let the mystery unravel and find out what happens.

Rating:
Summary: North By Northwest
Review: I never really appreciated the geniusness of Alfred Hitchcock's work before viewing this film. However, this film has it all. Hitchcock combines fast-paced non-stop action and suspense, great sound, and exceptional editing to produce this truly classic film. The acting was also performed well. Cary Grant (Roger O. Thornhill/George Kaplin) played a cool, calm, and collective, yet suave, innocent victim of mistaken identity. His counterpart Eva Marie Saint (Eve Kendall), a great looking blond, performed admirably as a seductress and a spy. As previously mentioned, the film is fast-paced non-stop action. When the film was over, I could not believe that it was 136 minutes long. The film was riveting. Hitchcock did a marvelous job of intertwining action and suspense. A prime example was the scene in which Mr. Thornhill (driving drunk) was being pursued. The chase scene showed some close "calls." Then, around a curve, it looked as if he was going to drive off the cliff into the water. Another perfect example of weaving action and suspense was during the final scene of the movie. But in the spirit of Hitchcock, to keep you in suspense, I refuse to divulge that information. You will just have to watch the movie yourself! The use of sound truly enhanced the film. Sometimes it was used to create suspense, as in the aforementioned scenes, while other times used as a mood setter. An example of the latter was the soft romantic background music when Mr. Thornhill and Eve Kendall were together in the train cabin room. Hitchcock also used the sound especially well as a transition between scenes. Even though I found the acting to be performed well, the pace and action exceptional, and the sound very enhancing, none of these could come close in comparison to the phenomenal job Hitchcock did with the editing. The crown jewel of the film was the cut from Mt. Rushmore to the train bunk bed. This was the best-edited film that I have seen. Some films blend scenes together like mixing oil and water. Hitchcock's scenes in this film are as "smooth as silk." That was not an easy feat considering the multiple locations and situations portrayed in the film and the equipment that he had to work with back in 1959. I said that this was a "great" movie not a "perfect" movie. I felt that there was a little continuity lost in the scene on the deserted road. The viewer was given an overview that showed that Mr. Thornhill was out in the middle of "nowhere," and all of a sudden, there were cars and trucks that came from who knows where. Another scene that I felt lacked continuity was the scene in Eve's hotel room. A valet was called to clean Mr. Thornhill's suit. He informed Mr. Thornhill that it would take about 25 minutes to clean it. About five seconds later, we saw Mr. Thornhill leaving the hotel in a clean suit. It just seemed to quick. Despite these relatively minor flaws, I consider this an excellent film. I agree with those who say that Alfred Hitchcock was a pioneer in his field. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate this film an 8.

Rating:
Summary: North by Northwest --Heading in the right direction
Review: Combining Alfred Hitchcock's incredible and amazing filmmaking skills with Cary Grant's dashing nature and superb acting skills, how could North by Northwest not be a hit? The film is a whirlwind roller coaster of a movie filled with non-stop action. From the first few minutes of the movie until the last few moments the movie captures and holds the audience's attention and keeps everyone's eyes glued to the screen. Not only action packed but comedic as well, this film is still entertaining forty years after it's release. Grant portrays Roger Thornhill, a simple advertising executive, who begins to experience one adventure after the other as he runs from the crooks chasing him who believe he is actually a spy named George Caplin. Through a stroke of very bad luck Thornhill becomes a man on the run from not only his chasers but also the police who believe he is a murderer. However, Thornhill's good fortune is what keeps him on the run and aids him in being able to escape at all times in all places. Thornhill is once again thrown a curve ball when he runs into beautiful Eve on a train played by Eva Marie Saint and falls for her, hard. Unbeknownst to Thornhill Eve is not whom she seems but her real intentions are only one of the many troubles he faces as he travels across the country trying to figure out why and how his life has turned into the complete mess it is in. You will have to sit down and watch this film with your undivided attention in order to absorb everything Hitchcock is throwing at you. The dialogue is clever, the actors amazing, the scenery captivating and is just all around an excellent film to sit down and enjoy. I doubt there could have been a better Thornhill than Grant with his handsome good looks and utter lovability. Grant and Saint sizzle on the screen together and the romance between Eve and Thornhill is pure chemistry. The title fits the movie with all the traveling Thornhill does and the credits themselves let you know that this is a movie that will take you in all different directions as they wiz by the screen from all sides. Hitchcock is historic and like his other films he makes his brief appearance in this film as well. Look for him at the very beginning of the film standing on the side of the street just missing his bus. If you have already seen this film consider watching it again, it may have been a few years and I'm sure you can get a few laughs out of it again. For those who haven't seen North by Northwest check it out, Hitchcock is almost always a safe bet for excellent and suspenseful entertainment. So rent this film along with perhaps a few other Hitchcock films and make a night of it.

Rating:
Summary: DVD Markedly Better than Turner's Broadcast Version
Review: I reviewed the widescreen version of "North by Northwest" here as soon as it debuted in August 2000 on Turner Classic Movies, assuming it was the same as the broadcast edition. The cable version (which I checked on several showings) was pretty disappointing, with a noticable and irritating shift to pinks and reds that left the actors looking as though they had spent too long under a sunlamp. I've finally purchased the DVD and, thankfully, the color balances look pretty much as I remember them from the first screenings of the film in theaters in the summer of 1959. Still, this isn't a "restoration" in the strict sense; the improvements aren't as major as those on "Rear Window" and "Vertigo." But the studio seems to have kept the negative in good shape, unlike Hitchcock, who mostly kept the Paramount films he owned out of release and let them deteriorate for decades. But the ugly question remains, did Turner and Warners INTENTIONALLY screw up the color on their broadcast version to encourage fans to buy the DVD?

Rating:
Summary: Hitch and Grant At Very Best!
Review: This film improves through multiple viewings. This seems impossible, because it makes such an excellent first impression. Because there are so many good things to say about the film, I'll narrow the list.

This role gave Grant the ability to show diversity beyond his usual aplomb. He plays a clever man accustomed to being in complete control, only to unexpectedly be thrust into life-and-death circumstances with no one to help him. We are left to discover how clever the character really can be, as well as how well Grant could really act.

There are moments when he evokes genuine feelings. For example, in a scene when villains force him onto a couch, there is suddenly real fear in Cary Grant's eyes. It is amazing to watch this film create and maintain this kind of tension.

Aside from excellent performances from a skilled cast, the film also presents an example of Hitchcock at some of his best: using innovative camera-work without letting it intrude into the flow of the story.

This is an accomplished action film - all film lovers should watch this film ... and then watch it again.

Rating:
Summary: North by Northwest
Review: Not being one for old movies, I surprised myself at how much I enjoyed this one. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, "North by Northwest" (1959) was well written, and well performed. Other than Shirley Temple movies, there aren't many 'oldies but goodies' that can keep me from leaving to go check my voice mail, or see if the neighbors have finally shoveled their driveway. This would also be the first movie I've seen directed by Alfred Hitchcock, so I wasn't sure what to expect, other than the fact that his name was quite familiar. I didn't even realize that it was him who missed the bus in the opening credits. As Roger Thornhill, a man of advertisement gets pinned as a spy, he finds himself as quite the traveler; going to 9 different cities, (4 different states) to try and find out what has him caught in the nasty predicament that he's in. As a result of this, the movie centers around Roger Thorhill himself. There are no other story lines, and very few breaks that take you away from him. My first thought of these kinds of movies are that they tend to drag, not moving around enough, or getting to the point quick enough. But, Roger Thornhill's character, played by Cary Grant keeps you interested. Not only does he keep you close to the screen, but Cary Grant has you wondering what his character's next move will be. The story starts you out in one direction, with a scenario involving Thornhill's mom. Oddly enough, Jessie Royce Landis, who plays the mother of Roger Thornhill, is actually two years younger than Cary Grant. Then it takes a turn, and has you in a whole new direction. Of course this film, as with many other movies, has you expecting a romance between the main character (Roger Thornhill) and that attractive woman (Eve Kendall) that just kind of 'pops up'. The humor in this film is written very nicely, as well as Carried out very nicely through Cary Grant. He has you laughing off and on throughout the whole movie. At points where things are getting rough for him, he'll make a funny remark that really could go either way. In some cases it may not seem the time in the movie for the Roger Thornhill to be joking around. But, the way he says it- I don't know if it's just his voice, or with the ease of his lines, it flows so well. Just because the writer thinks a line or a comment is a bushel of laughs, doesn't mean it's gonna come out that way to the audience. But, it sure did in this movie. Not to mention it's a good change in humor from the dirty filth that is present in our comedies now, without it being too corny. It was genuine funny, which I think lacks in writing today. Every scene was timed out nicely. They didn't get too long and pointless. While Thornhill was on the train, or standing in the cornfield, or bidding at the auction (which is a scene that had me laughing), the down times weren't boring. They had me wondering what unexpected thing was going to occur next. I can't agree with my mom in saying that Cary Grant is one of my favorites actors; nor can I go along with articles and essays saying that Alfed Hitchcocks directing is one of the best of all times. I can, though, say that I have gotten a glimpse at why people think so positively of these two people, and I look forward to seeing more work involving the two of them.

Rating:
Summary: My Thoughts of this Movie
Review: North by Northwest is very exciting and suspensfull movie. Throughtout the whole entire movie it keeps you guessing on what is going to happen next to Roger Thornhill. I'm not one for old fashion movies but this one I would deffinately recommend to anyone who enjoys a good suspensfull movie. It kind of reminded me of I Know What You Did Last Summer, but in an older sense. The movie itself starts out with a man named Roger Thornhill who gets kidnapped from an important dinner meeting. Roger is taken to a secluded house where these man are calling him by the name of George Kaplin. They refuse to believe him of his true name they get him drunk and put him in a stolen car and try to drive him off of a cliff. Roger came to just as the car was going over and lead the killers on a chase throughout the town. Roger is stopped by the police and taken to jail for being drunk and for stealing a car. The police find his story a lie. The next day Roger and his mother went with some detectives to that sane house and the woman there just made up a lie that she had a party and Roger left was there and left drunk. He was so furious that he then went on a chase to find this George Kaplin fellow to whom he supposedly resembled. On his journey he runs into many people and many more problems. He also gets considered a murderer when a man he is talking to gets stabbed with a knife. While on his journey he runs into a woman named Eve. She seems very nice and even helps Roger out even though she knows what he is really considered. She lies to protect him from the police. Later in the movie you will find what Eve's real position is in the situation. Roger falls in love with Eve and keeps tracking her down all the way to the end of the movie where he ends up saving her. Eve acts as though she wants to help Roger but in reality she is trying to help the killers get him. In the end it ends up that Eve works for the F.B.I. and she is their secrete tip on to what is going on with Vandam's deals. The whole time that Roger is running from the police the F.B.I. is following him and Eve. Which leads them to catching Vandam and his men. In my opinion the ending of the movie was dumb but I guess if you look at the ways movies used to end that was what the people wanted to see. For those people that like to have happy endings at the end of all movies this is a good one for you but even if you don't like happy endings the suspense to the end is enough to keeping you watching. I enjoyed this movie overall and I hope that you have too or else you will enjoy it in the near future.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting and intriguing- watch it at all costs!
Review: Upon viewing Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest for the first time, many comparisons can be made to the myriad of James Bond movies. In this movie, a fast talking advertising executive, Roger O. Thornhill, played by Cary Grant, is mistaken for a double agent by a group of international spies as well as a murderer by police agencies. A quest to clear Thornhill's name leads him on a quest across the country, chased by the spies as well as the FBI. The film moves at a great pace, with such wonderful places as New York, Chicago, and Mount Rushmore as backdrops for action. Writer Ernest Lehman (West Side Story, The King and I, The Sound of Music) and director Alfred Hitchcock (The Birds, Psycho, Vertigo) should take credit for wonderful story telling. Few questions are left unanswered; at the same time, no questions are answered too soon, leaving the viewer in constant suspense. We are left to wonder exactly who is the inside agent to whom the Professor (Leo G. Carroll) keeps referring. And who is Roger Kaplan? It was an extremely enjoyable task to put this puzzle of a story together. Up until the final scenes, the viewer knows he or she can only trust one person: Roger O. Thornhill. The characters in North by Northwest are all fascinating. Cary Grant's Roger Thornhill is extremely interesting. Though he has been thrust into a world of mystery and distrust, he never refuses a quick-witted joke in a sticky situation, providing comic relief that keeps the film fresh. Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint) provides wonder and suspense. Can we trust her? Who is she working for? Dialogue between her and Thornhill gets risqué, walking the borderline of decency for the late 1950s and contributing an air of daring maturity to the script. Phillip Vandamm (James Mason) seems always deadly, with a twinkle of cold-heartedness and anger in his eye. Much of the script is written wonderfully, again giving kudos to Ernest Lehman. I particularly enjoyed the scene at the auction house. First, Thornhill confronts his would-be assassin with the quip, "I didn't realize you were an art collector. I thought you just collected corpses." The two men have a healthy exchange of words concluded by Vandamm exiting the auction. Immediately, the room is surrounded by the spy's thugs, all waiting for Thornhill. To escape, he creates a scene shouting outlandish bids and insults about the item on the auction block. The police, of course, are called to take him away, allowing him to walk past Vandamm's hitmen with a wink and a smile in their direction, apologizing for their lost opportunity to kill him. Not only the jokes that Thornhill mockingly utters, but also the intelligence with which the scenes were written brought a smile to my face. North by Northwest is, admittedly, James Bond-like, while leaving out all the impossible gadgets and escapes, lending an idea of possibility and reality to the story. The most far-fetched scenes in the movie, those including the killer crop duster and the heads of Mount Rushmore, are still relatively plausible and believable by traditional spy-thriller-action standards. Viewers may wonder how Thornhill gets involved in the drama to begin with, or just exactly how the Professor fits in with the other characters, but like I said, very few questions go unanswered. Overall, the movie is an extreme joy to watch, enveloping the viewer in a world of intrigue and wonder. How can you go wrong with a writer like Ernest Lehman and a director like Alfred Hitchcock?

Rating:
Summary: The DVD Advantage
Review: It is assumed that the buyer of this DVD would already be familiar with the movie. That it is a classic, modern or not, is beyond question. Visually, cinematically, this is probably the most beautiful of Hitchcock's films.

The DVD restoration makes this easily the most beautiful version I've ever seen of this film, and I've seen it in a theatre before. Once again, there is no comparison in richness between this DVD interpretation and the prior VHS version. Blacks are black here, whites are white, and the full spectrum of color and definition are available. The quality of the soundtrack almost changes this to an entirely different version than the earlier tape recordings.

As often, I am reminded of the miracle of cinematography, where this movie appears so immediate, yet virtually all of the actors here are long since deceased. Cary Grant was never more debonaire, James Mason never more diabolical. Eva Marie Saint is luminescent in her beauty, touching in fifties makeup and fashions. In this digital version, all the 1950's props look so new! Shiny new 1958 cars, then-current fashions; no new-old movie can duplicate this.

The DVD restoration of this movie is truly magical viewing for any Hitchcock fan, naturally, but also for a younger generation to get a glimpse of 1958 lifestyles.

By the way, I don't know about other buyers, but I really don't like these little fold-over cardboard packages that some DVD's are arriving in. They'll deteriorate long before the DVD's will.

Rating:
Summary: They don't get much better than this...
Review: I saw this film as a child at the theatre, I have owned it in Beta, VHS and now DVD. I have probably watched it 40-50 times and I never get tired of it. I'm not going to describe it, the previous writer's have done a marvelous job with that.I will comment on the supurb job WB did in the conversion to DVD. Respect to Hitchcock and his talent was obvious. To many times the studio's have cheaped out for the fast buck in converting the "classics" because they require more technical transfer and appeal to a smaller market. That was not the case here, the Vistavision print lent itself to a marvelous conversion and the re-enginered DD 5.1 gives cutting edge technology to a stellar soundtrack. As previously stated a fascinating group of extras is in included. This is a film that will endear itself to the movie public for a very long time and continue to be a standard against all others of it's genre. Now, only if WB would get rid of those cheap cardboard snap cases.