Entertaining When Viewed in the Right Perspective

Rating: Null/10 (17 November 2002)

Ultra slick espionage/spy thriller involving a ordinary man named Roger Thornhill who gets mistaken for a spy named George Kimble. Complete fluff from beginning to end, but made enjoyable because nobody tries to make it more than it is. It also features a couple of unique chase sequences that remain amazing even today. One takes place on Mount Rushmore while another has Grant being rundown by a crop duster plane in a cornfield.
Although filled with all the great Hitchcock touches, including a couple of dazzling bird's eye view shots, it's really Grant that makes it the most enjoyable. He seems to be at his charismatic best here. Dashing and debonair, yet still full of sharp one liners. He is both fun and funny. Gregory Peck and James Stewart were considered for the part, but it is hard to imagine them being as enjoyable with it.
Of course when compared with the state of the art special effects used in today's films, this may seem like a downgrade and maybe even lame. The cars are all very obviously ridden on a soundstage in front of a blue screen. The majority of the outdoor scenes are also done indoors without a single hint of any wind.
Yet if you are able to forgive this and it's very dated 50's look and sensibilities then you may find this enjoyable. It is still a impressive directoral effort.
Be sure to keep an eye on the extras in the Mount Rushmore restaurant scene. The kid at one of the tables is a real riot.