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North By Northwest (1959) (DVD)
Year: 1959
Rating: M
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Cary Grant, James Mason, Eva Marie Saint
Release Date: December 02, 2009 Also available on Blu-ray
Distributor: Warner
The Film: 5.0
The Disc: 4.0
FILMINK rates DVDs and Blu-rays out of 5"...will keep modern audiences engaged, even on multiple viewings."
The Hitchcock classic North by Northwest climbs higher than the facial features of Mount Rushmore's presidents in its entertainment value and visual brilliance as it celebrates its 50th anniversary as one of cinema's most original thrillers.
Mistaken for a Federal intelligence spy, Madison Avenue executive, Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) finds himself caught in a dangerous world of intrigue and crime when he is abducted by Phillip Vandamm (James Mason) and framed for murder. Aided by his own charm and determination, Thornhill turns out to be a surprisingly competent spy, as he relies on his instincts, remains steadfast in the face of life-risking danger and evades VanDamm's thugs with the help of a beautiful but suspicious Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint). From sexy train rides to gripping cliff edges to pesky crop dusters, Thornhill's adventures move from one location to another with the surprise of gun fire and the rush of an oncoming truck.
Like many of Hitchcock's films, North by Northwest takes a seemingly ordinary man and thrusts him into situations that challenge his intuitive detective skills and turn him into a compelling hero. In the same way, the film successfully plunges the audience into suspense and action that feels refreshing in contrast to today's thrillers that overuse digital effects to conceal dull and tried storylines.
Despite the fifty years that have passed since its first release, Hitchcock's North by Northwest has not dated due to The Master's individualistic style, visual mastery and mischievous sexual innuendos which will keep modern audiences engaged, even on multiple viewings.
Released on Blu-ray and DVD, this 2-disc edition provides a restored version of the film from the original VistaVision [a higher resolution widescreen variation of 35mm film, used in Hollywood in ‘50s] elements, resulting in renewed picture vitality. The special features package includes a commentary by screenwriter Ernest Lehman (West Side Story, Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf), a profile of Cary Grant's career, a 2000 documentary about the making of the film, plus a couple of new docos about the film and also Hitchcock's signature style.