NORTH BY NORTHWEST
NORTH BY NORTHWEST
Roger O. Thornhill works at an advertising agency. His daily monotony is disrupted by being mistaken for a US Secret Service agent. He is thrown into the midst of a dangerous espionage affair. The electrifying duo reminiscent of James Bond, with Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, crowns the motif of theatrum mundi.
One of the most outstanding films in American cinema, this movie is a masterful example of a spy thriller. Roger O. Thornhill, who works in advertising, is mistakenly taken for a US Secret Service agent. He is thrown into the middle of a spy affair, fleeing not only from a dangerous gang but also from the police, who do not believe in his innocence. To clear his name, he is aided by the mysterious Eve Kendall.
Hitchcock's style in a nutshell. Suspense meets ironic humour, while love intertwines with crime and twists of fate. The overarching theme of the problem of identity and the theatrum mundi motif ties everything together. Almost every (anti-)character in the film plays a role, enhancing the theatrical dimension of reality. This is exemplified by the words of the individual characters addressed to Roger Thornhill. For instance, the head of the gang Phillip Vandamm ironically says, ‘You're an excellent actor, what do you need theatre for’, while Eve is flattered when she hears, ‘You played it pretty well ‘.
Going beyond the metaphor of the world as a stage and people as actors, we notice that the film's cast delivers performances of the highest calibre. James Mason, portraying the villain, maintained the highest manners and English charm with an unforgettable accent. Eva Marie Saint, celebrating her 100th birthday this year and an Oscar winner for her role in ON THE WATERFRONT, epitomised the classic Hitchcock blonde, concealing fiery temperament, strength, and courage. The incomparable Cary Grant - Hitchcock's favourite suspense actor who previously starred in SUSPICION, NOTORIOUS, and TO CATCH A THIEF - portrayed a Bond-like character years before Sean Connery, although initially depicted as a playful heartbreaker dominated by his mother.
Among Hitchcock's regular collaborators on the set of NORTH BY NORTHWEST, it is also worth mentioning Bernard Herrmann - the composer who musically depicted the film's chase and journey motifs; cinematographer Robert Burks, responsible for the phenomenal shots in exotic settings; and Saul Bass - the creator of the dynamic opening credits. After viewing this suspense masterpiece, gazing at a cornfield will never be the same.
Paula Apanowicz
