North by Northwest 50th Anniversary Edition
What?
Suspense. Romance. Action. Excitement. Murder. Mystery. Am I talking about what I did last Friday night? No, of course not. I’m not that lucky. I am, however, talking about the initial James Bond flick that practically started a franchise while simultaneously become perhaps Alfred Hitchcock’s most magnificent masterpiece—North by Northwest. Arriving in 1959, just a few years before the first James Bond movie landed at the Cineplex, the legendarily classic "wrong man" espionage thriller pitted Cary Grant, James Mason, and Eva Marie Saint in a piece of cinematic brilliance for the ages. Known for his 1930’s suspense film, Hitchcock perfect his craft with North by Northwest and was accompanied by his usual band of talented artisans whom all lent their talents to a tremendously successful and entertaining motion picture production. His early work was characterized thematically by having an innocent man mistakenly caught up in circumstances he has no control over. Suave, chic, and sophisticated, Carey Grant plays an advertising businessman who’s pursued by murderous emissary agents. Hitchcock can bring the excitement, action, thrills, and suspense like no other director can. With iconic, unforgettable scenes—namely that of a cornfield and airplane or the climax above Mount Rushmore—this spy movie is among the best within Hitchcock’s career, moreover that of Hollywood and international film in general. The score by Bernard Herrmann is one of his most recognizable, Saul Bass has yet another amazing set of title sequences, Ernest Lehman writes one of his finest screenplays, George Tomasini cuts the film perfectly, and Robert Burks’ cinematography is breathtaking. Eva Marie Saint embodies Hitchcock’s fascination with elegant blonde as Grant brings a wit and elegance that commingles the two paramour roles idyllically.
"The Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures" is, by the director’s own admission, Hitchcock’s own perception of North by Northwest. Sandwiched between an expressionistic 1958 thriller known as Vertigo and the horrific 1960 gore show called Psycho, it’s saying something when North by Northwest is talked about as Hitchcock’s most highly regarded film. Entitled to full artistic control, North by Northwest clocks in at 136 minutes and is one of the esteemed director’s longest. After all, covering a spy mission across 2,000 miles traveling by plane, train, and automobile, must take some time to tell. Nevertheless, North by Northwest never seems to drag or feel slow—quite the contrary actually. This film is filled to the brim with action and suspense that not many—if any—films can match.
Indeed, there are films that have the ability to captivate and enthrall audiences for ceaseless decades. North by Northwest presents endlessly quotable lines, a dashingly handsome cast, picture perfect scenes, and a one-of-a-kind plot line. There’s only so much one can say about a film that has been acclaimed for half a lifetime. If this isn’t in your Blu-ray library, you’re certainly missing out on an overwhelming 50th Anniversary package.
Optics:
The very moment Saul Bass’ title cards began rolling onto the screen, my pupils dilated and my heart began to race. I knew I was in for a treat, I just didn’t know how sweet the journey was going to be. Fortunately, my anticipation was justified thanks to Warner’s generous handling of a classic motion picture. Cinematographer Robert Burks gives North by Northwest the patented Hitchcock look and it translates really well onto the BD format. Contrast is excellent, colors are bright, and blacks are gooey. An impressive restoration process to be sure, this film has a sparklingly fresh feel. Hitchcock pictures have a familiar mise-en-scène that became fundamental of the Hitchcockian algorithm. Crisp, clean, nearly speck free, appropriately grained (with a handful of heavy instances), and with all the bells and whistles of a reference-like disc, North by Northwest is a Warner jewel that shines in high-definition Blu-ray. Cary Grant’s bronzed body in 1080p with no real digital manipulations? A must have! I mean, Eva Marie Saint is super attractive too…
Sonics:
Bernard Hermann’s score is totally immaculate in lossless, TrueHD 5.1 audio. This is a soundtrack among many of his greater works that just stays in your psyche for days. Apart from the orchestral music, the sound field and sound scape are put to the test with several scenes that do a splendid job of portraying a spellbinding sonic segment. The airplane in the field blows past surround sound systems and brings home theaters to vigorous, healthy life. Even if, in full disclosure, the dialogue does seem to be just a hair muffled in a scene or two, the complete audio outing is definitely something that should be thought of as delectable for the ears. Sit back, relax, and prepare to experience a track that sounds remarkable.
Extras:
While there are a slew of bonuses here, I felt the main attraction was Ernest Lehman’s fabulous audio commentary. This particular extra is one of Lehman’s last involvements in film as his 2005 death ended a legacy of award winning screenplays and writings. The documentary about Hitchcock, a making of featurette, another called North by Northwest: One for the Ages, a gallery of stills, an isolated music track, and trailers round out this flavorful set of supplementary material. Though I can say I’m disappointed by the quantity of extras, the quality is right on.
Well?
If, for whatever reason, you don’t already own North by Northwest then you should do so straight away, without hesitation. The words favorite, beloved, best, world-class, innovative, or stylish, don’t even begin to justify what this film warrants. Warner Brothers has miraculously restored every aspect of North by Northwest in near flawless form. My utmost recommendation is that you purchase this immediately. Period. That’s it. Go buy North by Northwest. Now. Seriously.
Grant Iwan
Suspense. Romance. Action. Excitement. Murder. Mystery. Am I talking about what I did last Friday night? No, of course not. I’m not that lucky. I am, however, talking about the initial James Bond flick that practically started a franchise while simultaneously become perhaps Alfred Hitchcock’s most magnificent masterpiece—North by Northwest. Arriving in 1959, just a few years before the first James Bond movie landed at the Cineplex, the legendarily classic "wrong man" espionage thriller pitted Cary Grant, James Mason, and Eva Marie Saint in a piece of cinematic brilliance for the ages. Known for his 1930’s suspense film, Hitchcock perfect his craft with North by Northwest and was accompanied by his usual band of talented artisans whom all lent their talents to a tremendously successful and entertaining motion picture production. His early work was characterized thematically by having an innocent man mistakenly caught up in circumstances he has no control over. Suave, chic, and sophisticated, Carey Grant plays an advertising businessman who’s pursued by murderous emissary agents. Hitchcock can bring the excitement, action, thrills, and suspense like no other director can. With iconic, unforgettable scenes—namely that of a cornfield and airplane or the climax above Mount Rushmore—this spy movie is among the best within Hitchcock’s career, moreover that of Hollywood and international film in general. The score by Bernard Herrmann is one of his most recognizable, Saul Bass has yet another amazing set of title sequences, Ernest Lehman writes one of his finest screenplays, George Tomasini cuts the film perfectly, and Robert Burks’ cinematography is breathtaking. Eva Marie Saint embodies Hitchcock’s fascination with elegant blonde as Grant brings a wit and elegance that commingles the two paramour roles idyllically.
"The Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures" is, by the director’s own admission, Hitchcock’s own perception of North by Northwest. Sandwiched between an expressionistic 1958 thriller known as Vertigo and the horrific 1960 gore show called Psycho, it’s saying something when North by Northwest is talked about as Hitchcock’s most highly regarded film. Entitled to full artistic control, North by Northwest clocks in at 136 minutes and is one of the esteemed director’s longest. After all, covering a spy mission across 2,000 miles traveling by plane, train, and automobile, must take some time to tell. Nevertheless, North by Northwest never seems to drag or feel slow—quite the contrary actually. This film is filled to the brim with action and suspense that not many—if any—films can match.
Indeed, there are films that have the ability to captivate and enthrall audiences for ceaseless decades. North by Northwest presents endlessly quotable lines, a dashingly handsome cast, picture perfect scenes, and a one-of-a-kind plot line. There’s only so much one can say about a film that has been acclaimed for half a lifetime. If this isn’t in your Blu-ray library, you’re certainly missing out on an overwhelming 50th Anniversary package.
Optics:
The very moment Saul Bass’ title cards began rolling onto the screen, my pupils dilated and my heart began to race. I knew I was in for a treat, I just didn’t know how sweet the journey was going to be. Fortunately, my anticipation was justified thanks to Warner’s generous handling of a classic motion picture. Cinematographer Robert Burks gives North by Northwest the patented Hitchcock look and it translates really well onto the BD format. Contrast is excellent, colors are bright, and blacks are gooey. An impressive restoration process to be sure, this film has a sparklingly fresh feel. Hitchcock pictures have a familiar mise-en-scène that became fundamental of the Hitchcockian algorithm. Crisp, clean, nearly speck free, appropriately grained (with a handful of heavy instances), and with all the bells and whistles of a reference-like disc, North by Northwest is a Warner jewel that shines in high-definition Blu-ray. Cary Grant’s bronzed body in 1080p with no real digital manipulations? A must have! I mean, Eva Marie Saint is super attractive too…
Sonics:
Bernard Hermann’s score is totally immaculate in lossless, TrueHD 5.1 audio. This is a soundtrack among many of his greater works that just stays in your psyche for days. Apart from the orchestral music, the sound field and sound scape are put to the test with several scenes that do a splendid job of portraying a spellbinding sonic segment. The airplane in the field blows past surround sound systems and brings home theaters to vigorous, healthy life. Even if, in full disclosure, the dialogue does seem to be just a hair muffled in a scene or two, the complete audio outing is definitely something that should be thought of as delectable for the ears. Sit back, relax, and prepare to experience a track that sounds remarkable.
Extras:
While there are a slew of bonuses here, I felt the main attraction was Ernest Lehman’s fabulous audio commentary. This particular extra is one of Lehman’s last involvements in film as his 2005 death ended a legacy of award winning screenplays and writings. The documentary about Hitchcock, a making of featurette, another called North by Northwest: One for the Ages, a gallery of stills, an isolated music track, and trailers round out this flavorful set of supplementary material. Though I can say I’m disappointed by the quantity of extras, the quality is right on.
Well?
If, for whatever reason, you don’t already own North by Northwest then you should do so straight away, without hesitation. The words favorite, beloved, best, world-class, innovative, or stylish, don’t even begin to justify what this film warrants. Warner Brothers has miraculously restored every aspect of North by Northwest in near flawless form. My utmost recommendation is that you purchase this immediately. Period. That’s it. Go buy North by Northwest. Now. Seriously.
Grant Iwan
Director:
Alfred Hitchcock
Starring:
Cary Grant
Eva Marie Saint
James Mason
Leo G. Carroll
Martin Landau
Edward Platt
Philip Ober
Best line:
"Now you listen to me. I'm an advertising man, not a red herring. I've got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-wives and several bartenders that depend upon me, and I don't intend to disappoint them all by getting myself slightly killed."
Tagline:
"The Master of Suspense weaves his greatest tale!"
Description:
Warner Brothers
UK
Region free
Rated PG
2Hrs 16 Min
1.78:1
VC-1/BD50
Dolby TrueHD 5.1
(English)
French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese
Subtitles: Eng, Fra, Spa, Dan, Ger, Ita, Fin, Nor, Por, Swe
Audio commentary by screenwriter Ernest Lehman
'The Master’s Touch: Hitchcock’s Signature Style'
'Destination Hitchcock: The Making of'
'North by Northwest: One for the Ages'
'Cary Grant: A Class Apart'
Trailers
Music track
Gallery
Ratings: (Out of 10)
Film 10.0
Optics 9.0
Sonics 9.0
Extras 9.0
Overall 10.0
