NORTH BY NORTHWEST

Stylish characters, a witty script, eye-catching cinematography and a gripping plot all contribute to North By Northwest being a classic piece of Hitchcock hokum. With at least two immortal scenes (the agrophobic nightmare of the crop duster attack and the tense finale at Mount Rushmore), the film is a landmark of cinema. It is also one of the prime examples of the thriller genre; one that has seldom been bettered - compare this with 1993's The Fugitive, a similar movie, and North By Northwest comes out victorious.

The plot concerns Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant), an advertising executive who is mistaken by the film's villains for a US government spy. Kidnapped by Vandamm (James Mason) and his goons, Thornhill eventually escapes only to be framed for the murder of a UN official. The rest of the film follows his increasingly desperate attempts to clear his name and prove that he is not who everyone has mistaken him for. Although it may appear flimsy, the plot is full of clever touches and not a few twists and turns that make sure attention does not waver.

Full of stylish 50s chic, the actors do a great job, particularly Mason's suave villain and of Grant's smooth portrayal of the the hapless hero. As with most Hitchcock movies however, the real star is the director himself. North By Northwest is full of Hitch's little trademarks (original camera angles, the plot dealing with the innocent caught up in something he is unaware of, the memorable set pieces) and although without the psychological trappings of some of his masterpieces (Rear Window springs to mind), it is still a rollercoaster classic.

What cinema is all about. 9/10