North by Northwest 50th Anniversary Edition

by: Paolo Sardinas

The Feature

Alfred Hitchcock was undeniably one of the greats. He was a true master of form whose films defined the genre and era. Since I’ve seen most of Hitchcock’s masterpieces I can say without a doubt that Psycho is his undeniable best. But one of his other famous releases is North by Northwest. One of the director’s other masterpieces couldn’t have been released at a better time. Hitchcock was on a winning steak with his movies-Vertigo the year before in 1958 and Psycho the year later in 1960-this classic features plenty of the director’s trademarks. Action, suspense, humor, a great lead and a beautiful blonde. North by Northwest celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and here on this special two disc edition it gets the special remastered edition.

This film features the fourth and final collaboration between actor Cary Grant and the “Master of Suspense”. The story follows Roger Thornhill; charming, successful, and smartly dressed. Roger has been mistaken for George Kaplan, a CIA agent (supposedly) who’s wanted for murder. Phillip Vandamm (James Mason) mistaken good ol’ Roger for Kaplan and along the way meets the beautiful blonde Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint) whose just as mysterious as everyone else is. Roger is now a fugitive running away for a crime he didn’t commit and running from those who want him dead. Filled with wonderful set pieces and beautiful locations North by Northwest features plenty of amazing sights and sounds and features plenty of classic scenes. Crop-duster ring any bells?

Cary Grant plays the dashing Roger Thornhill with enough class and style you’d think he was the American James Bond. One of the original Hollywood legends-along with Marlon Brando, Clark Gable, and Humphrey Bogart-delivers another fine performance. Along with a cast which is truly admirable. Plus they all look gorgeous on the new HD treatment. Eva Marie Saint is amazingly beautiful, playing one of Hitchcock’s trademark blonde. She, of all the others, is undeniably the most entertaining-compared to the likes of Kim Novak and Janet Leigh. An outstanding cast for an outstanding movie.

Composer and movie music guru Bernard Hermann’s collaboration with Hitchcock was one of the highest honor. He himself would later return to provide the score for Hitchcock’s compelling Psycho the year later. His wonderful score provides the movie with most of its suspenseful scenes and makes them even more entertaining than the last. Hitchcock created a true classic with North by Northwest. A movie which has stand the test of time and is still one of the undeniable greats. The special edition features plenty of special features and a newly remastered sound and picture quality. Hitchcock never looked so damn good.

Video & Audio

Clocking in at about 131 minutes, North by Northwest needs to look beautiful, and it surely does. Thanks to the new 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is enhanced for the larger screens. Though the original 2000 re-release looked pretty damn good, this newly re done version is absolutely amazing. The true way movies are meant to be seen. The original Technicolor looks just as brilliant as ever and the blacks are blacker and the colors are deeper and brighter. The Blu-Ray version of course looks even better with its 1080p and the colors and faces look even more glorious. Mount Rushmore never looked so good.

This edition features a very well done English 5.1 Surround track. Its wonderfully remastered and the original score and music which made those twisty scenes so famous is here and it sounds better than ever. There are some additional mono tracks available in French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese.

Special Feature

The most notable and probably the best special feature offered is a special one hour long documentary called “The Master’s Touch”. Various film historians and directors-Scorsese and Friedkin to name a few-deliver their takes and the master’s works. Even in his own words Alfred Hitchcock offers his own opinion and insightful look into his moviemaking process. Though there are plenty of scenes and clips of “Dial M for Murder” there are none for his more famous classics. Which nonetheless its still great to see some of his other works receive recognition. Other special features include Commentary by Ernest Lehman, a documentary on Cary Grant, The Making of North by Northwest, Still Gallery, TV spots, Guided Tour, Theatrical Trailer, and a Music-Only Track. One of the better additions.

Overall

Overall this 50th Anniversary Edition looks and sounds great. Whether you purchase the DVD or Blu-Ray versions your sure to have an undeniable great sitting in your movie cabinet. This film, as classic as it is, hasn’t changed one bit over the past five decades. It still offers plenty of suspense, thrilling action, and plenty of excitement. Cary Grant delivers one of his finest performances and director Alfred Hitchcock created another masterful work of art. Whether you’ve seen it a thousand times before, or never, North by Northwest 50th Anniversary Edition needs to be on your shopping list this Christmas.

Feature: 5/5

Video & Audio: 5/5

Special Features: 5/5

Replay Value: 5/5

Overall: 5/5