Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest (1959) Review: Suspense, Romance, and Espionage

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

North by Northwest is a 1959 spy thriller/mystery/adventure film, produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, with a screenplay by Ernest Lehman.

The Setup: A Case of Mistaken Identity Unravels

The film revolves around an advertising executive named Roger Thornhill, who is mistaken for a mysterious man named Kaplan and is kidnapped by two men. He is brought to a secluded mansion, where the host forces him to drink alcohol. Since Roger is intoxicated, on his way back home, as he tries to run away, he drives recklessly and gets involved in a car accident. In spite of his explanation, neither the police nor his mother believes him. He tries to learn as much information as possible about Kaplan and visits his hotel room by impersonating him. He realizes nobody knows what Kaplan physically looks like. The only detail we know is that he is shorter than Roger.

Soon, he finds out that the mansion he was taken to is owned by a United Nations diplomat who was unaware of the kidnapping that occurred, as he was abroad at the time. A series of events leave Roger framed for murder, with him trying to flee both the police and his kidnappers, who want him dead. Meanwhile, a public announcement has been made to arrest him, and he takes a train to escape and find the real Kaplan to resolve the misunderstanding. There, he meets a mysterious and highly attractive woman named Eve.

North by Northwest is an engaging mixture of adventure, thriller, and romance, with a strong element of espionage and suspense. As a Hitchcock and Cary Grant fan, I was really engrossed while watching the movie. What makes the movie compelling is the chemistry between the two leads, the interesting storyline, the atmosphere, and the stunning cinematography. I also appreciated the plot twists throughout the film.

From Ad Man to Fugitive: The Characters Who Drive the Chase

• Roger Thornhill is an advertising executive who is very successful in his career. He has been divorced twice, as both of his wives complained that he led an ordinary and monotonous lifestyle. Roger has a close relationship with his mother, and he regularly spends time with her. He is wrongly identified as Kaplan and is kidnapped by two men. Surprisingly, he does not panic and calmly tries to explain to these men and their boss that there has been a mistake.
• Clara Thornhill is Roger’s mother. She gets on well with her son. Still, she does not believe his side of the story when he is charged with multiple accusations by the police.
• Phillip Vandamm leads the group of Roger’s kidnappers. He believes Roger is Kaplan, and at first he tries to get him to cooperate with him by kidnapping him. Then he tries to have him killed multiple times.
• Eve Kendall is a woman whom Roger encounters on the train as he tries to elude the police and find Kaplan. Unexpectedly, she agrees to help him hide from the police, even though she knows about the charges. These two share some romantic moments.
• The Professor is the head of the United States Intelligence Agency. He and the rest of the agents have been investigating Vandamm for a long time, and they have realized from the TV news that Roger has been wrongly identified as Kaplan. At first, the Professor suggests no action should be taken to save him, so as to avoid compromising their mission.

Lights, Camera, Talent: Performances That Keep You Hooked

Cary Grant was wonderful as the protagonist, Roger Thornhill. He delivered a performance that combined humor with suspense and romance. Eva Marie Saint was lovely as Roger’s love interest, Eve Kendall. She successfully conveyed a wide range of emotions, and I loved her chemistry with Cary Grant. Leo G. Carroll was compelling as The Professor, with most of his screen time and significant contribution to the plot being revealed in the second half of the movie. James Mason’s portrayal of the group’s ringleader, Phillip Vandamm, was very convincing and did not become predictable. Last but not least, Jessie Royce Landis might have had limited screen time as Roger’s mother, Clara Thornhill; still, she was an honorable mention in the film.

The Art of Suspense: Hitchcock’s Direction and Burks’ Cinematography

Alfred Hitchcock’s direction was tense and suspenseful. It manifests either in a subtle way as an unsettling feeling or it evolves into a direct threat. In terms of Robert Burks’ cinematography, there are two noteworthy scenes; one includes a crop duster incident in Indiana, and the other is related to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Both scenes take place in an open setting, with a lot of tension and feelings of alienation and paranoia. These two scenes are indeed memorable, contributing to the movie’s timeless aesthetic.

The Final Act: Does the Ending Stick the Landing?

The ending was a bit abrupt, but realistic and satisfactory enough for the viewer after watching the protagonist’s struggles.

Details

• Rating Certificate: Approved
• Studios & Distributors: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
• Director: Alfred Hitchcock
• Written By: Ernest Lehman
• Country: United States
• Language: English & French
• Aspect Ratio: 1.50:1
• Run Time: 136 Mins.
• Original Release Date: July 1, 1959 (USA)