Hitchcock's Most Entertaining Thriller...

Rating: 10/10 (23 March 1999)

The 1950's was an amazing decade for Alfred Hitchcock. Year after year, he churned out some sort of a classic: STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, REAR WINDOW, VERTIGO, etc.. He capped it with the most exciting film he ever directed. NORTH BY NORTHWEST is sheer escapist entertainment, a non-stop ride across the country, with Hitch dealing out his usual cards. Innocent man (Cary Grant) in a crazy situation which he is wrongfully drawn into, and the beautiful leading lady (Eva Marie Saint), who always seem to be blonde. I also have to say that musical composer Bernard Herrmann has produced one of his top 3 scores (the other 2 being TAXI DRIVER and PSYCHO). Right from the opening title sequence, we are souring into this story of international intrigue, decoys, and constant pursuit.
The film barely lets up as Grant, in his own dashing manner, plays it cool as an advertising exec who becomes surrounded by the bad guys before we even get settled into our seats. This is the mother of all modern action/chase films, with pitstops at the UN building, Grand Central Station, Chicago, a vast cornfield, and finally, Mount Rushmore. Grant's scene on the field has become one of the most famous sequences of all-time. That dust-cropper definitely had a mind of its own. The great thing about the scene is that about 90% of it was shot on location. Again, listen to that music. It explodes with the suspense of the scene.
You never know what side of the fence Hitch's characters are on at times. Is there a real "Kaplan"? Why did the bad guys pick Grant as their target? Eva Marie Saint is not so saintly as the alluring blonde who has some kind of angle on the events herself. You're never really sure what she is up to. This is the greatness and originality of the "worlds" Hitchcock and his writers create. Things are never as they appear. It is up to the viewer to pay attention or let him play you like a fiddle. Either way, you come out satisfied.
This is not his 'best' film. It is his most thrilling flick, and it also has the refreshing sense of humor that enlighten Hitch's best pictures. In terms of action and adventure, this has no equal within his library of films with perhaps the exception of 1940's FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT. Great dialogue, slick and stylish directing, and a sense of pure fun makes this one better.
RATING - 10 of 10