Rating: Summary: One Of The Greatest Spy Movies Of All Time Review: Although Hitchcock's "North By Northwest" is primarily thought of as a Cary Grant movie, I first saw this movie because I was very interested in Martin Landau. "North By Northwest" is one of the great spy films. Madison Avenue executive Cary Grant is mistaken for a government agent by a group of communist spies led by James Mason. Grant ultimately ends up being chased around the United States and meets femme fatale Eva Marie Saint along the way. "NBN" features an excellent cast. The leading players are perfect: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Martin Landau, Leo G. Carrol, and Jesse Royce Landis. Mason is excellent as the suave and evil Phillip Vandamm but Martin Landau is particularly creepy as his henchman Leonard. Nearly forty years later, he would win an Oscar for "Ed Wood," but "NBN" is the real film that featured Landau at his finest hour. There are few actors who look as naturally spooky as Landau. With his gaunt frame and haunted blue eyes, Landau is the perfect heavy. If he had not played Rollin Hand on TV's "Mission: Impossible," Landau would have gone on to become one of the greatest villains of the big screen. The cast is only one of the factors that make "NBN" a great movie. The film offers a perfect blend of comedy and suspense. The cropduster and Mount Rushmore sequences are awesome. The photography is perfect. By almost sheer coincidence, three of the stars would go on to appear in several of the great televison spy shows of the 1960s. As mentioned above, Landau appeared in "Mission: Impossible." Leo G. Carrol, who played good guy-spy boss Alexander Waverly on "The Man From UNCLE," plays a very similar role in this movie. Edward Platt, who played The Chief on the spy spoof "Get Smart," briefly appears as Grant's attorney. One of the greatest spy movies of all time. I have already seen this movie at least six times and can stand to see it several times more. Very well-recommended.
Rating: Summary: One of the top movies ever Review: When you think of the mystery and the suspense this movie creates in a time well before computer special effects, Hitchcock was able to keep you on the edge of your seat in a way few movies can. Add to that, a before its time sexual tension and somewhat forward and flirtatious relationship (done very tastefully)and this is a must own movie!
Rating: Summary: one of Hitchcock's greatest Review: i won't say this is Hitchcock's greatest, but certainly in the top 5. when i first saw this film years ago, i wasn't impressed much. after seeing it for sale on Amazon for [price], and with all those extras such as: a commentary, theatrical trailers, a documentary, a photo gallery, an audio track showcasing the score and a tv spot, i immediately ordered it. after i watched it on DVD, i gained new and undying respect for a nearly forgotten classic in motion picture history. the visuals were magnificent and astounding. definitely worth the money.
Rating: Summary: AMAZING Review: one of hitchcock's best movies, this really introduced me to cary grant and solidified hitchcock's work for me. hitchcock came out of the 40s (all those collaborations with selznick were HORRIBLE) with a bang and this excellent thriller segued movies into the 60's. a very 60's feel with amazing script, acting (i thought cary grant was going to be a priss until i saw this, now i'm a true fan), direction, cinematography, editing. the only complaint is overlength, but it actually works to its advantage since the movie is so involving!!
Rating: Summary: Every scene is a classic Review: The scenes are wonderful and suspenseful and each scene sticks in your mind because they are so original. The UN scene, the Mount Rushmore scene, and of course, the CROP DUSTER scene. Hitchcock was a genius and I don't understand why films today cannot follow the Master's example. The acting could've been better, but what do you expect from Cary Grant (who only relied on his looks), however, Eva Marie Saint is wonderful. She's a great actress, and has a couple tricks up her sleeves in the film. Hitchcock's cameo is hilarious, tpp. I love this movie.
Rating: Summary: The BEST Hitchcock (In my mind!) Review: This is one of the most complete movies that I have ever seen. The plot is interesting, the acting is great, the sets are spectacular, the cinematography is amazing and the script is FLAWLESS. My favorite scene is the Mount Rushmore chase! It is my favorite Hitchcock, and one of my favorite movies!
Rating: Summary: What more could you want from a Hitchcock film? Review: After seeing some other Hitchcock films on television like Vertigo, Psycho, and Rope, I decided to purchase North By Northwest. At first, I was afraid that the DVD would be less than perfect, but I was very wrong. The picture quality is outstanding. The colors are dead-on accurate and detail is everywhere. The letterboxing acheives a nice frame, the way the film was intended for. The sound is crystal clear and sounds better than theater quality. The extras are also excellent. The documentary is very entertaining and informative, as is the commentary by Ernest Lehman. The trailers and TV spots are interesting because of their vintage quality. (The Hitchcock trailer is neat.) The photo gallery offers some neat photographs (nearly 40!). The inclusion of spanish and french audio tracks is great so that more people can be introduced to this excellent film. The music-only track is great since Bernard Herrmann's score is exquisitely great. As with most Warner DVD's, the movie has a high number of chapter stops, which allows more access to scenes in the movie. The film is also enhanced for widescreen televisions, which makes the quality even better. Warners has a tastefully short and simple DVD intro with their company logo that lets you get to the movie quickly unlike Disney/Touchstone DVD's. Warners knows that people want the main attraction, the film, and they satisfy that want. Also, the DVD cover is nice and comes in a simple snapper case, which is less likely to damage the disc. This film has everything you could want from a movie... Action, Romance, Suspense, Humor, Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, clever script by Lehman... and of course, Alfred Hitchcock's direction. If you're wondering if you should purchase this fine DVD, don't hesitate.
Rating: Summary: An Outstanding Hitchcock Film! Review: From the moment that Cary Grant (who plays advertising executive Roger Thornhill) is kidnapped by James Mason and Martin Landau's goons, to the final chase around the faces on Mount Rushmore, "North By Northwest" never gives the viewer a dull moment. Alfred Hitchcock is at the top of his form here, and with a cast that features Grant, Eva Marie Saint, Mason, Landau, and several Hitchcock "regulars" (such as Leo G. Carroll as a fussy American intelligence agent), this movie was an "instant classic". Highly recommended!
Rating: Summary: Cary At His Coolest! Review: I saw something on TV once that Cary Grant is by FAR the most popular movie star of all time, loved by men for his coolness under-pressure, and women for his looks. In this Hitchcock classic he plays a suave, James Bond type character except that he isn't a spy who accidentally trips into the middle of a spy game. And messes it all up and has to stay around to put things right and save the woman he's fallen for. It's a great movie with fast dialogue and a snappy pace as Grant treks cross country to untangle himself from the web he landed in. It's a famous movie so in all likelihood you know something about it if you're reading this review but I won't go anymore into the story. I enjoyed the extras on this DVD and consider it to be good value for money and good at giving more incite into Hitchcock's work. This is just superb!
Rating: Summary: Classic entertainment given full remaster and makeover Review: whoever remastered this film deserves a gold medal, stunning color fidelity, hardly any artifacts or film grain. Wonderful print. Buy This DVD Now if you are a Hitchcock fan, if you're not buy it anyway otherwise you're missing out bigtime. One to keep for years and treasure! WOW
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