Rating: 
Summary: Serious themes delivered in a charming, entertaining manner
Review: "Foreign Correspondent" is like a really good martini: it's elegant, yet crisp, refreshing, and eye opening. It was a pleasure to see it again in this new DVD edition. Further, the 33-minute retrospective documentary that accompanies the movie is among the better of the "making of" pieces that accompany the most recent batch of Hitchcock DVDs, not only because it's longer (most of the others average about 20 minutes), but also because it includes ample home movie footage- much of it in color- of the Hitchcock family around the time of the making of this 40's era film, which is very interesting to see. All around, this is a very entertaining DVD.
Rating:
Summary: One Of Hitchcock's Best
Review: "Foreign Correspondent" was Alfred Hitchcock's second American feature made in 1940, the same year as his first feature "Rebecca", and surprisingly both were up for "best picture". In fact "Foreign Correspodent" was nominated for 6 Oscars. But even so, the movie is rarely regarded as one of Hitchcock's best, and that's a shame. "Foreign Correspondent" ranks up there with the best Hitchcock films such as "Rear Window", "Psycho", and "Vertigo". The "master of suspense" displays all the talents that have made him one of the finest film-makers of all-time (at least in my opinion). "Foreign Correspondent" has Joel McCrea as John Jones, an American reporter sent over to Europe to cover the beginnings of WW2. And, as you can probably guess, Jones will stumble upon a big story and soon become a man who knows too much. Van Meer, a man Jones was sent to interview (Albert Basserman, in an Oscar nominated performance) is on a council to prevent WW2, but he is soon murdered, or is he? He was the only person who knew of a secret clause that was to be written in a peace treaty. A lot of people speak highly of the assination scene with the umbrellas, and Edmund Gwenn's scene on top of the tower. Most of you will know Gwenn as Santa Clause in "Miracle on 34th Street". But I have to admit some of my favorite scenes deal with the more comedic aspects of the film such as Robert Benchley's scenes, as an on-the-wagon reporter just yearning for one more drink, who has no idea what is going on around him. I also enjoy a scene dealing with George Sanders (Scott ffolliott) as he explains why he his name is spelled with two lower case "f's", McCrea responds with "How do you pronouce it? With a stutter?" I've always felt Hitchcock's early work sometimes allowed the dry wit to get into the way of his movies. They could be seen as comedy\mystery movies in the vain of "The Thin Man" series. But in "Foreign Correspondent" I absolutely didn't mind. I enjoyed it greatly. Benchley was actually allowed to write his own lines and Ben Hechet, who helped co-write (he wrote the play "The Front Page", as well as two other Hitchcock movies, "Notorious" and "Spellbound") are without doubt why this movie actually does make us laugh. Benchley really is a highlight for me. Please pay attention to his dialogue. It's a shame so many people don't remember him nowadays. And, there's more more thing I feel the need to comment on. What an amazing cast this film has. I've mentioned some of them already, McCrea, Sanders, and Benchley, but Herbert Marshall is also in this movie as Stephen Fisher, Van Meer's partner. Everyone does a wonderful job. Bottom-line: Sadly not as popular as some of Hitchcock's other films, but, it deserves to be. It really is one of his best works. Great moments of suspense and wit.
Rating:
Summary: One Of Hitchcock's Best
Review: "Foreign Correspondent" was Alfred Hitchcock's second American feature made in 1940, the same year as his first feature "Rebecca", and surprisingly both were up for "best picture". In fact "Foreign Correspodent" was nominated for 6 Oscars. But even so, the movie is rarely regarded as one of Hitchcock's best, and that's a shame. "Foreign Correspondent" ranks up there with the best Hitchcock films such as "Rear Window", "Psycho", and "Vertigo". The "master of suspense" displays all the talents that have made him one of the finest film-makers of all-time (at least in my opinion). "Foreign Correspondent" has Joel McCrea as John Jones, an American reporter sent over to Europe to cover the beginnings of WW2. And, as you can probably guess, Jones will stumble upon a big story and soon become a man who knows too much. Van Meer, a man Jones was sent to interview (Albert Basserman, in an Oscar nominated performance) is on a council to prevent WW2, but he is soon murdered, or is he? He was the only person who knew of a secret clause that was to be written in a peace treaty. A lot of people speak highly of the assination scene with the umbrellas, and Edmund Gwenn's scene on top of the tower. Most of you will know Gwenn as Santa Clause in "Miracle on 34th Street". But I have to admit some of my favorite scenes deal with the more comedic aspects of the film such as Robert Benchley's scenes, as an on-the-wagon reporter just yearning for one more drink, who has no idea what is going on around him. I also enjoy a scene dealing with George Sanders (Scott ffolliott) as he explains why he his name is spelled with two lower case "f's", McCrea responds with "How do you pronouce it? With a stutter?" I've always felt Hitchcock's early work sometimes allowed the dry wit to get into the way of his movies. They could be seen as comedy\mystery movies in the vain of "The Thin Man" series. But in "Foreign Correspondent" I absolutely didn't mind. I enjoyed it greatly. Benchley was actually allowed to write his own lines and Ben Hechet, who helped co-write (he wrote the play "The Front Page", as well as two other Hitchcock movies, "Notorious" and "Spellbound") are without doubt why this movie actually does make us laugh. Benchley really is a highlight for me. Please pay attention to his dialogue. It's a shame so many people don't remember him nowadays. And, there's more more thing I feel the need to comment on. What an amazing cast this film has. I've mentioned some of them already, McCrea, Sanders, and Benchley, but Herbert Marshall is also in this movie as Stephen Fisher, Van Meer's partner. Everyone does a wonderful job. Bottom-line: Sadly not as popular as some of Hitchcock's other films, but, it deserves to be. It really is one of his best works. Great moments of suspense and wit.
Rating:
Summary: Good.
Review: 'Foreign Correspondent' is yet another fantasic mystery from Alfred Hitchcock. Although I don't remember the storyline too much, I remember liking it enough to give it a four-star review.
Rating:
Summary: Good.
Review: 'Foreign Correspondent' is yet another fantasic mystery from Alfred Hitchcock. Although I don't remember the storyline too much, I remember liking it enough to give it a four-star review.
Rating: 
Summary: Hitchcock at the top of his game
Review: Despite being nominated for six Academy Awards, including best picture, Alfred Hitchcock's second American film, "Foreign Correspondent," has received little notice through the years. Critics gush, and rightly so, over "Rear Window" and "Vertigo" but scarcely breathe a word about this masterpiece. Released in 1940, the same year as "Rebecca," it has been left to languish in the graveyard of late night television where its very lack of promotion no doubt leads many a Hitchcock fan to believe it must be one of the master's lesser films, something on the order of "The Paradine Case" or "Under Capricorn." "Foreign Correspondent" is, in fact, one of the director's greatest films, every bit as good as "The 39 Steps," "North by Northwest" and other famous Hitchcock classics and far superior to "Rebecca," a film that Hitchcock himself described as belonging more to Selznick than to him. The Master of Suspense's trademark touches are very evident in this exciting suspense adventure in which Joel McCrea (chosen after Gary Cooper passed on the project), a lightweight reporter for a New York newspaper, is given a plum assignment that leads him into international intrigue involving a kidnapped scientist. Hitchcock may have been disappointed in McCrea (labelling him "too easygoing") but the often underrated actor is excellent and is aided by one of Hitchcock's most perfect casts. As fellow reporters, George Sanders provides plenty of world-weary wit and the great Robert Benchley, who also wrote some of his own dialogue, adds a light touch in what is otherwise a fairly grim thriller. Herbert Marshall is on hand as the elegant villain, and Edmund Gwenn who would define "warm and cuddly" as Santa Claus in "Miracle on 34th Street" a few years later, exudes evil as an assassin. There are many standout scenes, all every bit as imaginative as the cropduster attack on Cary Grant in "North by Northwest" or the shower murder in "Psycho." Note the ominous mood in the windmill where the kidnapped scientist is held captive, or the plane's plunge into the ocean just before the finale. The moment when the aged scientist (perfectly embodied by Albert Basserman, an Oscar nominee for his role) is tortured in a hotel room while a helpless Sanders looks on can make you squirm more than anything in "The Birds." In short, this is Hitchcock at the very top of his game. The only thing "Foreign Correspondent" lacks is the acclaim and notoriety it deserves.
Rating:
Summary: Hitchcock at the top of his game
Review: Despite being nominated for six Academy Awards, including best picture, Alfred Hitchcock's second American film, "Foreign Correspondent," has received little notice through the years. Critics gush, and rightly so, over "Rear Window" and "Vertigo" but scarcely breathe a word about this masterpiece. Released in 1940, the same year as "Rebecca," it has been left to languish in the graveyard of late night television where its very lack of promotion no doubt leads many a Hitchcock fan to believe it must be one of the master's lesser films, something on the order of "The Paradine Case" or "Under Capricorn." "Foreign Correspondent" is, in fact, one of the director's greatest films, every bit as good as "The 39 Steps," "North by Northwest" and other famous Hitchcock classics and far superior to "Rebecca," a film that Hitchcock himself described as belonging more to Selznick than to him. The Master of Suspense's trademark touches are very evident in this exciting suspense adventure in which Joel McCrea (chosen after Gary Cooper passed on the project), a lightweight reporter for a New York newspaper, is given a plum assignment that leads him into international intrigue involving a kidnapped scientist. Hitchcock may have been disappointed in McCrea (labelling him "too easygoing") but the often underrated actor is excellent and is aided by one of Hitchcock's most perfect casts. As fellow reporters, George Sanders provides plenty of world-weary wit and the great Robert Benchley, who also wrote some of his own dialogue, adds a light touch in what is otherwise a fairly grim thriller. Herbert Marshall is on hand as the elegant villain, and Edmund Gwenn who would define "warm and cuddly" as Santa Claus in "Miracle on 34th Street" a few years later, exudes evil as an assassin. There are many standout scenes, all every bit as imaginative as the cropduster attack on Cary Grant in "North by Northwest" or the shower murder in "Psycho." Note the ominous mood in the windmill where the kidnapped scientist is held captive, or the plane's plunge into the ocean just before the finale. The moment when the aged scientist (perfectly embodied by Albert Basserman, an Oscar nominee for his role) is tortured in a hotel room while a helpless Sanders looks on can make you squirm more than anything in "The Birds." In short, this is Hitchcock at the very top of his game. The only thing "Foreign Correspondent" lacks is the acclaim and notoriety it deserves.
Rating:
Summary: VERY EUROPEAN FLAIR TO A PATRIOTIC THRILLER
Review: For some reason Hitchcock's first WWII thriller, "Foreign Correspondent" (1940), never quite achieved the critical accolades or fame of say, "Notorious." This, despite the film's harrowing representations of murder and spine tingling cloak and dagger war games. It stars matinee idol, Joel McCrea as Johnny Jones, a New York reporter dispatched to Europe who inadvertently stumbles upon a troupe of fascists preparing to take over the world. After witnessing an assassination, Jones becomes embroiled in the harrowing plot of secret government codes falling into the wrong hands. Along the way, he encounters Carol Fisher (Laraine Day) whose father, Stephan (Herbert Marshall) may or may not be the lynch pin in all the espionage. Both the mood and charm of many of the film's set pieces speaks to Hitchcock's flair for European cinema. In fact, in viewing "Foreign Correspondence" today there is a decide lack of Hollywood glitz about it.
Warner's DVD transfer exhibits a balanced gray scale with deep, solid blacks and reasonably clean whites. Dirt, scratches and other age related artifacts are present but do not terribly distract. There's a complete lack of edge enhancement, pixelization and shimmering of fine details for a picture that is overall smooth and easy on the eyes. The audio is mono but very nicely cleaned up.
Rating:
Summary: Amusing, Satisfying, Entertaining
Review: For some reason this Hitchcock movie has been largely ignored by the critics and by fans. It's seldom mentioned in discussions about Hitchcock and, in my opinion, it should be. It's an extremely well-crafted adventure/spy/romance that keeps moving briskly. Despite the seriousness of the underflying themes, it's also one of Hitchcock's most lighthearted and charming movies.
An American reporter on the eve of WWII is sent to Europe to get the big picture. He meets the head of a Peace Now organization and the man's daughter. He also witnesses a political assassination. He's determined to find out what's going on, and in the process uncovers spies, fifth columnists, and a kidnapped elderly diplomat whose memory may contain the difference between peace and war. And he falls in love.
Here's what makes the movie work for me, besides Hitchcock's direction:
-The script is sophisticated, witty at times, and well written.
-The lead characters, Joel McCrea and Laraine Day, play off each other very well. They make an attractive couple.
-The secondary characters are excellent, ranging from George Sanders in probably his best role until All About Eve to Robert Benchley, Edmund Gwen, Herbert Marshall and Albert Basserman.
-The set pieces in the movie are outstanding and many: The assassination and escape in the rain amidst a sea of black unbrellas; the chase through the small town with the man trying to cross the road; the isolated windmill and the eery creaking and search inside the windmill; the escape from the hotel room, across the ledge and into the adjoining room, all the while with that great music theme playing; the murder attempt in the tower which is both tense and very funny; the clipper ship crashing into the ocean; the survivors clinging to wreckage and the slip into the water.
-The music score, which is at once jaunty and romantic, and can be menacing. I can't think of a musical theme in any Hitchcock movie that is as whistleable.
So if the movie is as good as I think it is (not among Hitchcock's top movies, but at least at the top of the second tier), why hasn't it gotten much recognition? I can think of only three factors. First, it is a confidently amusing movie. It has serious themes, but they aren't the hallmark of the film. Perhaps the critics assumed it was a light weight throw-away. Second, it came out after Rebecca and within four or five years was followed by Shadow of a Doubt and Notorious, three powerhouses that could overshadow most movies. Third, the lead actors, while great in their roles and who make a marvelous couple, don't have the glamour and sexual tension that, say, Grant and Bergman had.
This is one of my favorite Hitchcock movies. It's about time it came out on DVD. The transfer is very good.
Rating:
Summary: SUSPENSE AND INTRIGUE
Review: Fourteen script writers held a race with the swift courseof contemporary history to produce the Walter Wanger thriller. Producer Wanger hired Alfred Hitchcock, that English past master of suspence, to concoct a thriller of Europe day. With Joan Harrison, Hitchcock's pretty blonde scenarist, they together dreamed up a string of sinister but unrelated scenes: a political assassination on a rainy day; a spy hunt in an abandoned windmill; a torture room in a dowdy hotel room and a transatlantic clipper shot down at sea. Together with his wife Alma Reville, Hitch then patched these incidents into a fast, funny, fascinating - and rather implausible tale of two great cities on the ever of WWII. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT has achieved a well-deserved reputation as a masterpiece of suspense and intrigue, and was instrumental in upgrading the reputation of the thriller genre (it was nominated for the best picture of 1940). Refreshing in that Hitchcock chose lesser known actors Joel McCrea and Laraine Day for the leads; both actors are likable and capable. Herbert Marshall is somewhat miscast in his role of Stephen Fisher but Robert Benchley is great as Stebbins, the broken-down American journalist working in London. George Sanders and Eduardo Cianelli do well in their roles. In his second American film, Hitch is scene briefly at a railway station!
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