North by Northwest (1959)

Last updated:
September 23, 2024

North by Northwest, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is a thrilling tale of mistaken identity, espionage, and fast-paced action. It’s widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential films in the thriller genre. From its tense moments to Cary Grant’s dapper charm, this movie has it all.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: The Mistaken Identity

The film opens with Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant), a Manhattan advertising executive, being mistaken for a government agent named George Kaplan by a group of foreign spies. This misunderstanding sends Thornhill on a dangerous chase across the country, as the spies, led by Phillip Vandamm (James Mason), believe he possesses crucial information.

Kidnapped and Framed

In the early scenes, Thornhill is kidnapped by Vandamm’s henchmen, who take him to their boss’s luxurious home. Vandamm and his assistant, Leonard (Martin Landau), attempt to coerce information from Thornhill, believing he is Kaplan. When Thornhill denies knowing anything, they force him to drink an entire bottle of bourbon and place him in a car, intending to make his death look like a drunk driving accident.

Thornhill miraculously escapes and returns to the city, but when he tries to report the crime, no one believes him. This sequence sets the film’s tone: a man fighting against forces he can’t control.

The Auction House and Eve Kendall

Thornhill’s search for Kaplan leads him to an auction house, where he has a tense showdown with Vandamm. He narrowly escapes capture by causing a commotion during the auction, and it’s here he first encounters the beautiful Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint), who seems to offer him help.

Kendall offers him refuge, but it soon becomes apparent that she is more deeply involved in the espionage plot than she first appears. Their relationship is charged with romantic tension, and Hitchcock expertly uses this to add complexity to the plot. Thornhill’s trust in Eve wavers, especially when he realizes she may be working with Vandamm.

The Crop-Duster Scene

One of the film’s most famous and suspenseful moments occurs when Thornhill is lured into an empty cornfield, expecting to meet Kaplan. Instead, he is attacked by a crop-dusting plane in a breathtaking sequence of Hitchcockian suspense. Thornhill narrowly survives the attack, leading to one of the film’s signature moments where the camera captures him running for his life as the plane dives and fires at him.

Mount Rushmore Showdown

The climax of North by Northwest takes place at Mount Rushmore. Thornhill discovers that Kaplan never existed—he was a decoy created by U.S. intelligence to distract Vandamm. It turns out that Eve Kendall is a double agent working for the government, and she is in grave danger. The final showdown on the faces of Mount Rushmore involves a life-and-death chase as Thornhill and Kendall attempt to evade Vandamm’s men.

Movie Ending

In the end, Thornhill manages to save Eve just as she’s about to be captured by Vandamm’s henchmen. They both hang precariously off the face of Mount Rushmore before being rescued by the authorities. The final scene cuts from the suspenseful Mount Rushmore climax to a train, with Thornhill pulling Eve up onto the sleeping berth, ending with the famous double entendre as the train enters a tunnel—Hitchcock’s cheeky visual metaphor for their romance.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in North by Northwest. Hitchcock preferred to tie up his films neatly without additional scenes.

Type of Movie

North by Northwest is a suspense thriller with elements of spy espionage and romantic adventure. It blends action, humor, and romance while keeping the audience on edge with its tense, mystery-filled narrative.

Cast

Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill
Eva Marie Saint as Eve Kendall
James Mason as Phillip Vandamm
Martin Landau as Leonard
Jessie Royce Landis as Clara Thornhill (Roger’s mother)
Leo G. Carroll as The Professor (a government official)

Film Music and Composer

The score for North by Northwest was composed by Bernard Herrmann, one of Hitchcock’s frequent collaborators. The famous theme is urgent, exciting, and perfectly captures the thrilling and fast-paced nature of the movie. Herrmann’s music adds layers of tension and romance throughout.

Filming Locations

The film is known for its wide range of settings, from the bustling streets of New York City to the iconic Mount Rushmore:

New York City: Many city scenes, including the Plaza Hotel, were filmed here.
Mount Rushmore: The movie’s iconic climax was filmed on a replica set of Mount Rushmore at MGM Studios, though exterior shots were filmed on location in South Dakota.
Midwest: The crop-dusting scene was filmed in California’s Central Valley, though it’s set in the Indiana countryside.

The diversity of locations plays a major role in the film’s constant sense of movement and suspense, as Thornhill is constantly on the run.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Award Nominations:
Best Film Editing (George Tomasini)
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color
Best Original Screenplay (Ernest Lehman)

Although North by Northwest didn’t win any Oscars, it is considered one of Hitchcock’s greatest films and has gained recognition as a classic over time.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Cary Grant was 55 years old during filming, but Hitchcock loved his suave, timeless appeal.
Hitchcock had to use models and set replicas for Mount Rushmore after being denied permission to film on the monument.
The film was nearly called The Man in Lincoln’s Nose, a nod to the Mount Rushmore setting.
Hitchcock makes his famous cameo early on, missing a bus during the opening credits.

Inspirations and References

The plot of North by Northwest was heavily influenced by Hitchcock’s love for mistaken identity stories and spy thrillers. The film’s “man on the run” theme can be seen in Hitchcock’s earlier works like The 39 Steps.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While there aren’t any alternate endings, the Mount Rushmore climax was nearly different. Originally, the government requested the monument not be used for any violent acts. However, Hitchcock persisted, and the chase sequence became one of the film’s defining moments.

Book Adaptations and Differences

North by Northwest was not based on a book, though it has inspired many spy novels and thrillers that came after it. Its screenplay, written by Ernest Lehman, was crafted specifically to fit Hitchcock’s desire for a fast-paced, mistaken-identity thriller.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The crop-dusting plane chase through the empty fields.
The auction house scene where Thornhill disrupts the bidding to escape.
The Mount Rushmore chase and final showdown.

Iconic Quotes

Roger Thornhill: “Now, you listen to me. I’m an advertising man, not a red herring.”
Roger Thornhill: “In the world of advertising, there’s no such thing as a lie. There’s only the expedient exaggeration.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Hitchcock’s cameo happens within the first couple of minutes when he tries to board a bus but the door closes in his face.
The film’s title is a reference to a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, but also hints at the direction Thornhill’s journey takes, both geographically and metaphorically.

Trivia

Cary Grant thought the script was “utter nonsense” but trusted Hitchcock enough to sign on anyway.
The famous crop-duster scene was filmed over multiple days in a remote field near Bakersfield, California.
The film is considered one of the earliest examples of an “action thriller,” influencing later blockbusters like the James Bond series.

Why Watch?

Watch North by Northwest if you’re a fan of classic thrillers and want to experience a near-perfect blend of action, romance, and suspense. Cary Grant’s charm, coupled with Hitchcock’s tight direction, makes this a must-watch for any fan of cinema.