North By Northwest

A Timeless Classic

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Release Date: 1959

Rating: PG
Running Time: 130 mins

Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Mystery
Actors: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint

If anyone see's a crop-duster these days, most will be able to picture Cary Grant trying to out run it.

Cary Grant is given his turn to team up with the spectacular Alfred Hitchcock in the tense mystery classic ‘North by Northwest’. When New York advertising executive, Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) is kidnapped and misread for a supposed government agent, he’s forced to go on the run from just about everyone and pushed right to the edge for survival. Fantastically tense and captivating thriller, audiences are able to really see the great director take on the ‘action’ genre of cinema and again produce, what is arguably a highly original cinematic experience, way ahead of its time.

In spite of ‘North by Northwest’ being a rather confusing story for audiences throughout the majority of the film, I found myself rather enjoying the adventure all the same. I was especially impressed by the way that Hitchcock could still entertain the audience through the comedy and light-hearted humor that was smartly woven into the rather serious story. One of the most admirable things about Alfred Hitchcock’s films, is how there are a large amount of enigmas and mystery’s thrown in to confuse and almost ‘play’ with the audience. Straight away for me ‘North by Northwest’ grabbed me as an intriguing and mystifying story but also very witty. One particular scene that stood out for me, showed Cary Grant being taken into a police station in a heavy state of inebriation after a very serious drink driving episode where he almost drove a Mercedes convertible off a cliff and is then forced spend the night in jail.

It’s safe to say this film does not hold back on being so wonderfully ‘Hitchcock’. ‘North by Northwest’, like other films by the director, features many of the typical ‘Hitchcock stamps’ and typical clichés repeated in most of his films.  At the very start we see a cameo from Alfred Hitchcock running for a bus about to drive off where the doors close on him, adding to the comedy side of the film. Moreover, another is the trademark blonde girl, played by Eva Marie Saint as the heroin and romantic interest of the protagonist; other Hitchcock films include dazzling actresses such as Grace Kelly and Tippi Hedren. Nevertheless it also can be argued that ‘North by Northwest’ is able to offer a different type of genre for the Hitchcock fans as it’s able to explore so much more in terms of scenery. If we look at works by Hitchcock prior to this film such as ‘Rear Window’ and ‘Rope’,  we see both take place in the same setting throughout both of the films, therefore meaning they don’t really explore much in terms of scenery and locations. As well as this we are able to see Hitchcock work with a new leading role rather than Jimmy Stewart, seen in other works such as ‘Rope’, ‘Vertigo’ and ‘Rear Window’. Yet despite this the role of Roger Thornhill did appear to be similar roles James Stewart has played in the past so it was surprising that Hitchcock didn't go with him for the part. Nonetheless Cary Grant portrays the character very well and provides a highly creditable and humorous performance in this film, finding the perfect combination of comedy, romance and tension.

It’s safe to say with ‘North by Northwest’ that Alfred Hitchcock really didn't want to give anything away with his rather ambiguous title given that it doesn't really tell us anything at all about what the film might involve.  So the confusing and strange film is definitely one to check out despite it leaving the audience constantly guessing and asking questions.

Typical Hitchcock playing with us all.

8/10