trapped between vertigo (1958) and mental patient (1960), Alfred Hitchcock1959 spy thriller North by Northwest This film does not receive as much contemporary acclaim as the other two, but it is arguably his most genre-defining work. Deeply intimate and filled with unforgettable scenes, it is one of the English director's most influential works, and its conception was born out of desperation.
Despite vertigo Critics were amazed by the film, and audiences found it confusing, so Hitchcock was keen to make another film that would appeal to audiences. Famed screenwriter Ernest Lehman also wanted to make a name for himself, and vowed to write “the Hitchcock film to end all Hitchcock films,” so the two men set to work and a masterpiece was born.
at that time, North by Northwest It may have seemed like just another run-of-the-mill Hitchcock spy movie, something that was a companion piece to the The 39 Steps But the film will continue to inspire. James Bond The franchise is hugely popular. After three years, Doctor No The film will be released, followed by several other Bond films.
Although these films used Ian Fleming's novels as a starting point, they had the look and feel of Hitchcock's spy thrillers. From the characters to the scene choices, everything was James Bond-like, and if Hitchcock were alive today, he might consider suing for his royalties.
What is the theme of North by Northwest?
North by Northwest The film revolves around an unwitting fly, played by Cary Grant, who gets caught in a dangerous web of espionage and crime. The protagonist, Roger Thorne-Hill, lives peacefully as an advertising executive, until he is kidnapped by criminal mastermind Philip Vandamm, who mistakes him for a mysterious spy named Kaplan. Vandamm orders his men to kill Thorne-Hill in a drunk driving accident. Fortunately, the executive survives and escapes, leading him on a frantic chase across America – a chase in which he is both the hunter and the hunted.
Thorne Hill has a hard time convincing his mother and the police what happened, so he takes it upon himself to discover who Kaplan really is. It soon became clear that such a person did not exist. He is a fake agent created by the CIA to deceive Vandamm. The higher-ups at the agency are aware of what is happening but choose not to rescue Thornhill for fear of jeopardizing the operation. As the hours pass and Thornhill's prospects grow darker, he is increasingly forced to rely on his innate creativity and unwavering will to survive. But will it be enough to save him?
While aboard the 20th Century Limited train to Chicago, he meets the beautiful Eve Kendall, played by the wonderful Eve Marie Saint, and is entranced by her radiant beauty. The two very different characters quickly form a bond that quickly blossoms into a love story. But what chance do they have of keeping their feelings alive?
Thorne-Hill becomes more interested in her when she claims to know Kaplan, but turns out to be working with Van Damme. He continues his heartbroken journey to find Kaplan, and while on his way, another surprise emerges: Kendall is also an American agent assigned to infiltrate Van Damme's operation. Although the search for answers proves more complicated and exhausting than he anticipated, the determined Thorne-Hill sees through it to a surprising conclusion. The events eventually culminate in a knockout blow to Mount Rushmore and the Vandamm estate.And then the villain is caught.
North by Northwest Festival has Bond DNA everywhere.
Like Bond, Roger Thorne Hill is a smart, womanizing man. He often indulges his desires without an ounce of shame or remorse. He never makes a mistake when flirting, and he has enough of a smart suit to qualify as a mad men Character. He drinks about five different times, starting with a martini. Then comes his lover, Eve Kendall, who flirts like the average Bond girl, and she hides many secrets.
Then there's the antagonist, Van Damme. He's rich and happens to be chasing MacGuffin. (Microfilm in this case) Just like a regular James Bond villain. Add in the fight and chase scenes, and you can easily conclude that Hitchcock made the first ever James Bond film.Change Thorn Hill into an MI6 agent, and you have a movie not unlike a standard James Bond film.
Relationships extend beyond the basics. The second James Bond film, From Russia with lovecontains a scene directly inspired by the helicopter chase in North by NorthwestIn the same way that Thorn Hill escaped from a crop-dusting biplane, Bond escaped from a helicopter piloted by SPECTRE agents.
In addition, a large portion of Hitchcock's film takes place on a train. Over the years, the railway has remained one of Bond's favorite modes of transportation. It is worth noting that Hitchcock's thriller was The first Hollywood production to feature extensive use of kinetic typography. In the opening credits, which has now become a James Bond tradition.
North by Northwest This was on the minds of producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman when they were casting for the first Bond film. In his autobiography, Cubby Broccoli reveals how he tried to convince Cary Grant to play 007. After all, he was British-American. Unfortunately, the deal proved difficult because the actor wanted to commit Its principle is not to make any subsequent parts.However, this was a multi-film contract offer.
Fleming also enjoyed the film. Robert Sellers' book, Bond battleFleming reveals that the author enjoyed everything except the humor, which he felt overshadowed the suspense. Interestingly, the same humor became a major part of the Bond film series. Fleming liked the film so much that he referenced it in the novel. Thunderballwritten in 1960. In Chapter 9, SPECTRE agent Giuseppe Petacci attempts to hijack a Vindicator plane, and in the process, he thinks:
“Five more hours left. It's so confusing.
North by Northwest
At the Odeon Theatre. But you can catch him in Southampton.
Without a doubt, The Bond films might have looked a lot different if Alfred Hitchcock hadn't created the prototype.These films might have been less enjoyable, if it weren't for the right balance of grit and fun. Thank God for Thorne Hill, Kendall, and Van Damme.
65 years later, North by Northwest remains the ultimate spy movie.
North by Northwest The movie may be old now, but it's not that old. There have been hundreds of great spy movies released, but few come close to Hitchcock's in quality. Although it inspired the over-the-top Bond films, it is more realistic than that..
Espionage relies on secrecy and deception, two things that are heavily emphasized in the film. The agency doesn’t provide a master spy for the bad guys to target. Instead, they create a fake spy to get the bad guy to focus on the wrong thing. Furthermore, there’s an emphasis on plausible deniability. For the agency, it’s more acceptable for one person to die than to jeopardize the entire mission.
Most realistic spy movies are known to be slow, which makes it difficult for casual viewers to concentrate. Fortunately, Hitchcock did things differently by giving the audience plenty of tension and excitement to enjoy.The chase up Mount Rushmore will forever be iconic, as will the chase of the crop-dusting plane. Plus, the romance is tastefully executed, without any tinge of misogyny (this was the 1960s), and ends with a memorable train scene.
This is something that future Bond screenwriters should follow. As producers look for the next actor, they should remember that great actors make or break a film. If you find someone with the same energy as Cary Grant, everything will be fine.
North by Northwest
Available to rent in the US on Apple TV+
