The last of the really good Hitchcock films? Not so sure.

Rating: 7/10 (17 February 2016)

There is no question in my mind that Alfred Hitchcock was one of the very top directors in Hollywood. And, in the past, I've always found this film to be entertaining...and still do. But in watching it more seriously this time, I find that it's far more far-fetched than I ever realized. We all have to suspend belief a bit in any fictional movie, but here...wow...too much. And yet, it's still very entertaining.
I had the DVD version, but just purchased the Blue-Ray version. It's interesting with several good "bonus features", including the documentary "The Master's Touch". The Blu-Ray has been restored and the color looks great. If you want to see the magic of makeup, look at the stills of Cary Grant in the documentaries where he looks old, as compared to how he looks in the film.
But, the real reason for buying the Blu-Ray is, of course, the film itself. And I'll begin with my number one criticism of many Hitchcock films -- cheap special effects. This poor trait is more noticeable with his color features, and it was pretty obvious in the DVD edition. But magic came with the restoration for Blu Ray -- the special effects look much better now. Even the faces on Mount Rushmore look much better.
There are so many classic Hitchcock elements in this film: mistaken identity, the double cross, just to name two.
There are a number of scenes in this film that to me just don't work well. The drunk driving scene has little suspense; compare it to the driving scene in "Suspicion", where there is real suspense. When Grant grabs the knife that a man at the U.N. had just been stabbed with...why would he do that? It makes no sense. Another thing that doesn't really make much sense is how genial and relaxed Grant's character is. The police are after him for a murder, which although he didn't commit it, dozens of witnesses will say he did. The bad guys have already told him they are planning to kill him, and they are hot on his trail. Yet, all he thinks of while trying to escape them is a romantic interlude. Really??? And does he wonder at all why a woman who knows he has been accused of a brutal murder is so willing to make love to him. So illogical, but I blame Hitchcock, not Grant; the director got what he wanted. And then there are the shots supposedly on top of Mount Rushmore. Grant and Saint are climbing down the face of the monument...while she is in high heels.
On the other hand, there are some fascinating scenes from Grand Central Station. The scenes at the art auction are simply grand. And while far-fetched, the finale on Mount Rushmore is nifty.
Of course, the great Cary Grant is...well...great here; I quite honestly ask: wasn't he always? It's surprising that his co-star, the wonderful Eva Marie Saint doesn't come into the film until 44 minutes in. One of the supporting actors here that I particularly like is Jessie Royce Landis, who plays Grant's mother; I always enjoyed her in films; she quite amusing. A Hitchcock favorite is also here -- Leo G. Carroll; another actor I always enjoyed. James Mason is a slick villain, as is subordinate Martin Landau.
"North By Northwest" was, in my old view, the last of the great Hitchcock films. Now I;m not so sure the last great Hitchcock film wasn't "Vertigo". In the documentary on this disc, they talk about Hitchcock knowing the difference between shock and true suspense. Unfortunately, beginning with the very next film -- "Psycho", followed by "The Birds", Hitchcock seemed to forget the difference, and he relied more on cheap shock and less on real suspense.
Don't get me wrong. This is still a fun film. Just don't over-think it.