Excellent Hitchcock wrong man spy adventure

Rating: 8/10 (31 January 2019)

Classic cases of mistaken identity as crooks capture Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) on suspicion of being the spy George Kaplan. When he escapes and tries to piece it together the authorities don't believe him, to further add insult to injury he's framed for murder. On the run from the law and a foreign spy ring, Thornhill has to stay alive while working out what's going on. A chance encounter with Eve Kendell (Eva Marie Saint) points him in the right direction, but before too long he begins to wonder whose side she is on. Things come to a thrilling climax in front of 4 of America's greatest presidents.
Undoubtedly one of Hitchcock's best films, a fast paced, commercial, spy thriller which could have been a James Bond film, before there were James Bond films. Beautiful scenery, narrative, delivery, and general mise-en-scene make this an absolute tour-de-force - even 40-50 years later. Lots of vivid colours and stunning visuals throughout with plenty of artistic signatures from the famed director added to vehicle of the film. Some tongue in cheek fun - when you watch it bear in mind that Hitchcock enjoyed pushing the boundaries of enjoyment for audiences, so you will see things that seem totally ludicrous - just suspend your disbelief and sit back, you'll enjoy the film if you don't question it.
If you enjoy old-fashioned films that don't rely on CGI then this is an absolute classic to enjoy. 8 out of 10 - a perfect wrong-man caper for a lazy Sunday.