North by Northwest: The Iconic Classic Action Film

action, mystery, thriller

2:16

1959

Review by Brandon Talks Movies on Aug 27, 2017

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.

If you’re looking for the best classic-era action film, this is it. North by Northwest, directed by master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock (Psycho, Vertigo) and starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, may not be Hitchcock’s most thought-provoking film, but it’s certainly among his most entertaining. The action and suspense are top-notch—not overdone like action movies today. Cary Grant delivers his trademark vintage-cool charm, and the script is full of iconic lines that make modern action flicks look painfully uncultured. This movie holds up very well today, even in the modern landscape of slow-motion quick-cut action sequences, and is universally loved by viewers—it’s one of the few movies to achieve a 100% rating on movie review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.

The plot follows ad man Roger Thornhill, a fairly typical advertising executive, until some high-profile criminals mistake him for secret agent George Kaplan. He quickly finds himself set up for crimes he didn’t commit and being pursued by both the criminals and the police. While on the run, he also tries to get to the bottom of who George Kaplan is and why the criminals think it’s him. There are plenty of twists along the way. Eventually, the FBI gets involved and things get much bigger than Thornhill ever imagined.

Apparently, the only performance that will satisfy you is when I play dead.

There may be better classic movies than North by Northwest, and there may be movies with better action sequences, but you will not find a movie that’s better at both. This movie doesn’t just strike a balance; it truly excels at both. Iconic scenes in a cornfield and atop Mt. Rushmore are among the most famous action sequences in history—even if you’ve never seen the movie, you’ve probably seen something out of one of these scenes.

Though the danger is imminent throughout most of the movie, there’s a real sense of adventure and even fun throughout the film. In true Hitchcock fashion, there’s enough humor and charm to keep the viewer engaged between action sequences, and Cary Grant delivers both desperation and wittiness with equal flair. Even the villain has some memorable and, yes, entertaining lines, so I almost wanted to root for him. The main characters are all well-written and have the depth, charm, and eloquence that truly deserves the title “classic.”

Should I Watch North by Northwest?

North by Northwest is a great classic action film, and I believe there’s something here for everyone. It’s got excitement, mystery, romance, humor, and vintage charm. It’s not necessarily the most thought-provoking, but most viewers will find something to like here. This is one I would recommend to anyone, and it’s probably a movie that everyone should see at some point in their life.

Movies Like North by Northwest

To Catch a Thief (1955) - This similarly blends action, comedy, and mystery for a fun and supremely watchable film. Grant stars again, alongside Grace Kelly, and all of the actors and actresses deliver great performances. The central mystery delivers twists and turns up until the final minutes of the film. If you want another classic action movie that’s fun to watch, check this one out.
Notorious (1946) - Hitchcock directs this classic mystery-thriller about reluctant spies and reluctant lovers. Grant stars again alongside Ingrid Bergman. This isn’t as comedic as North by Northwest, but the tension and drama reach higher levels. Check it out!
Charade (1963) - The most Hitchcockian movie Hitchcock never made, Charade is a mystery-comedy starring Grant and Audrey Hepburn. Comedy is its strong suit, but there’s enough mystery and action to entertain fans of North by Northwest. Though the movie is light and funny by modern standards, its funeral scene was shockingly dark for its time (although hilarious today).

Academy Awards

Nominee: Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen (Ernest Lehman), Best Art Direction - Set Decoration (William A. Horning, Robert F. Boyle, Merrill Pye, Henry Grace, Frank R. McKelvy), Best Film Editing (George Tomasini)

Runtime: 2:16
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Year: 1959
Genres: action, mystery, thriller
Rating: NR

About Brandon

My name is Brandon, and I love movies. Not bad ones, though—just the good ones. I’m curating and reviewing a list of classic, essential-viewing, or just plain good movies from all decades, and I've been reviewing them since 2016. I also co-host Peculiar Picture Show, a podcast about movies and mental health and write about Dungeons & Dragons options, builds, and optimization.