This is one of the all time greatest films ever made. I was enthralled when I was twelve and I am still enthralled at 62. Great premise, great directing, great actors and incredible music. I can watch it over an over again and it never loses its impact.
Actors like Cary Grant and James Mason who were born in England but who lived and worked for many years in the United States developed a distinctive manner and tone of speaking that they could choose to be extremely charming and seductive or quite devious and sinister. Tyrone Power, Ray Milland, and Vivien Leigh are other examples of what has been called the Transatlantic Accent.
Anyone who says there are not good movies today, would be clearly lying. However, it’s very, very rare to see dramatic scenes filmed with such class. Every detail is perfect, from the exquisite set design, the perfect cinematography with a perfect HD picture quality, dialogues delivered with finesse, almost Shakespearean.
Amazing thing is, Grant and Mason didn’t know very well who those characters were either, as they both said in interviews that they filmed most of NBNW not knowing what the plot was about.
I read that James Mason looked up to Cary Grants acting abilities, because right before shooting a scene, Grant was always sweating and stressing with the script in his hand, remembering his lines over and over. And when the shooting began, all of that disappeared and he got into his role so well. Also, Grant didn't like the script at all "It's a terrible script. We've already done a third of the picture and I still can't make head nor tail of it!" Hitchcock knew this confusion would only help the movie after all, because Grant's character Thornhill had no idea what was going on either.
James Mason wasn't worried about shading his performances darkly. His Captain Nemo could've been inserted into a grittier version of "Twenty Thousand Leagues" and it would've worked. Cary Grant maintained his light, debonaire, sometimes slightly dangerous image to the end, on purpose. As he stated, "Everyone wants to be Cary Grant, even me."
"With such expert play acting, you make this very room a theater." The scene has the feel of being on stage, including entrances, exits, shifting lighting, blocking and a view from the balcony seats at 1:24.
Fascinating how this scene is blocked for the camera. Notice the play with light; the shifting eyelines; and the shifting height of the camera. All to subtly disorient the viewer.
@@2msvalkyrie529 Actually you mean Milland discusses it with Anthony Dawson, the character actor who plays the villain. There's a famous cut to a close up of Dawson when Milland reveals he's blackmailing him, seen at mark 31.25 on this clip: ruclips.net/video/4pjsmpBohv8/видео.html
I read that Martin Landau's suit was made by Cary Grant's personal tailor. Cannot confirm if this is true, but his suit is indeed beautifully made. Just like Grant's is.
Mrs. Townsend is played by Josephine Hutchinson, daughter of Leona Roberts, who played Mrs. Meade in "Gone With The Wind." In a later scene, the real Lester Townsend is played by Philip Ober, married to Vivian Vance in real life, at the time this was filmed.
Yes I love N by NW but there are gaping holes in the plot. When the Glen Cove police visit what is clearly one of THE great estates of this exclusive area one would ASSUME they would know Mr. Townsend, a famous resident who lived there except when UN was in session.
mr. townsend was a pretty important guy around town..speaking at united nation functions and all..he would have been well known..but when the police go to his house there, the bad lady is supposed to be his wife mrs. townsend?? but she has been dead for awhile... the police would have known something was funny because they would have known his wife was dead?? doesnt make any sense for the storyline they must have overlooked this??
Right before the henchman throws the knife into the real Townsend's back, killing him at the UN, Thornhill showed Townsend a photo from a newspaper. I've forgotten if the audience was ever shown that picture. Do we know who it was? Does it matter?
Yes, the audience was shown it and Mason is one of the people in the photo being shown to Townsend. We don't find out if Townsend recognized Mason in the photo because Townsend is stabbed and dies before he can say anything (unlike Louis Bernard in Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much, who tells Dr. McKenna (Jimmy Stewart) just before Bernard dies about the impending assassination in London !)
No, we'll have no part of your moral equivalence argument. Did you like the Wall, the secret police, the gulags, the food shortages brought on by the fact Marxist/Leninism doesn't work. The West wanted Peaceful co-existence. The Soviets built a nuclear doomsday machine. The West had warmongers but until Gorbachev the Soviets were the hard-core uncompromising.
James Mason is so charming and sinister in this role. Excellent work in my favorite Hitchcock film
This is one of the all time greatest films ever made. I was enthralled when I was twelve and I am still enthralled at 62. Great premise, great directing, great actors and incredible music. I can watch it over an over again and it never loses its impact.
Was 13 when I first saw this in the theatre premiering in 1959. Still tied as my #1 with "Jaws" coming alongside in 1975.
I'm only 54 but yeah this movie is stunning. I've on the BIG screen and it is spectacular.
“With such expert play acting, you make this very room a theatre.”
Actors like Cary Grant and James Mason who were born in England but who lived and worked for many years in the United States developed a distinctive manner and tone of speaking that they could choose to be extremely charming and seductive or quite devious and sinister. Tyrone Power, Ray Milland, and Vivien Leigh are other examples of what has been called the Transatlantic Accent.
I’d say Grant sounds Transatlantic. Not Mason. He sounds very British to me.
@@brunoantony3218 Quite.
There's nothing transatlantic about Mason's accent. As British as it gets.
@@tarakb7606absolutely old chap
@@peternagy-im4be 👍
Anyone who says there are not good movies today, would be clearly lying. However, it’s very, very rare to see dramatic scenes filmed with such class. Every detail is perfect, from the exquisite set design, the perfect cinematography with a perfect HD picture quality, dialogues delivered with finesse, almost Shakespearean.
Yes, to all. This film, everything about it, is what got me thoroughly addicted to film-making when I saw it in 1959 at age 13.
Similar in many ways to " Dial M
For Murder " .
Its kind of a repeat of 39 steps but on a much bigger budget.
One of the best and most classic movies ever.
I fell in love with this movie the first time I saw it. I know every line in it.
I love James Mason's voice and english accent.
Perhaps because he is English?
Love it how Van Damme tells Thornhill Kaplan's itinerary, then Roger proceeds to follow that itinerary the rest of the film as if he IS Kaplan! lol
I love this scene. None of them know who the other one is. Thornhill calls Vandamm Mr Townsend and Vandamm calls Thornhill Mr Kaplan.
Amazing thing is, Grant and Mason didn’t know very well who those characters were either, as they both said in interviews that they filmed most of NBNW not knowing what the plot was about.
This is the most entertaining film ever made
I read that James Mason looked up to Cary Grants acting abilities, because right before shooting a scene, Grant was always sweating and stressing with the script in his hand, remembering his lines over and over. And when the shooting began, all of that disappeared and he got into his role so well. Also, Grant didn't like the script at all "It's a terrible script. We've already done a third of the picture and I still can't make head nor tail of it!" Hitchcock knew this confusion would only help the movie after all, because Grant's character Thornhill had no idea what was going on either.
Only James Mason can make me look away from Cary Grant on the screen. Mr. Mason steals this scene.
James Mason had one of the finest speaking voices in all of Britain.
James Mason, the only actor who could outdo Cary Grant in their category.
Evil but likeable and charming, it's so strange but works really well...
I have to agree
James Mason wasn't worried about shading his performances darkly. His Captain Nemo could've been inserted into a grittier version of "Twenty Thousand Leagues" and it would've worked. Cary Grant maintained his light, debonaire, sometimes slightly dangerous image to the end, on purpose. As he stated, "Everyone wants to be Cary Grant, even me."
@@leew1598like Jeremy Iron /Scar
"With such expert play acting, you make this very room a theater." The scene has the feel of being on stage, including entrances, exits, shifting lighting, blocking and a view from the balcony seats at 1:24.
Bingo.
Similar scene in Dial M for Murder.
Could only be done by actors of
supreme ability . And director !
Rest in Peace Martin Landau
What a cast, What a film
Such a classic, 1 of Hitchcock's best. Love the dialogue and sarcasm in this movie. LOL
This movie has action, suspense and a lot of comdey
Favorite scene! Love it when Martin Landau (Leonard) tells Grant that his contact in Pittsburgh committed suicide.
This movie of one of my favorite movies of all time. It never gets old these many years later.
Fascinating how this scene is blocked for the camera. Notice the play with light; the shifting eyelines; and the shifting height of the camera. All to subtly disorient the viewer.
There's an upload somewhere
with a breakdown of scenes from
Dial M for Murder . Analyses these points in detail .
Hitchcock does something very similar in early scene of Dial M for
Murder . Ray Milland and Robert Cummings discuss the Murder plan. Perfection !
@@2msvalkyrie529 Actually you mean Milland discusses it with Anthony Dawson, the character actor who plays the villain. There's a famous cut to a close up of Dawson when Milland reveals he's blackmailing him, seen at mark 31.25 on this clip: ruclips.net/video/4pjsmpBohv8/видео.html
Martins suit is awesome.
I read that Martin Landau's suit was made by Cary Grant's personal tailor. Cannot confirm if this is true, but his suit is indeed beautifully made. Just like Grant's is.
That suit is absolutely amazing
classic, classic movie, just love it! Have for a long time!
Love this film
Mrs. Townsend is played by Josephine Hutchinson, daughter of Leona Roberts, who played Mrs. Meade in "Gone With The Wind." In a later scene, the real Lester Townsend is played by Philip Ober, married to Vivian Vance in real life, at the time this was filmed.
I read Hitchcock was still adding new ideas as the movie went along and Cary collected a lot of overtime.
I am not George Kaplan! I’m the Dude!
A favorite scene from the movie.
"Your Bourbon! "
Battle of the mid-atlantic accents.
James Mason always reminds me of Jeremy Irons minus the deeper voice.
Jacques Pepin was an incredible actor before becoming an amazing chef.
Cultivated villains!
Impeccable tailoring
Yes I love N by NW but there are gaping holes in the plot. When the Glen Cove police visit what is clearly one of THE great estates of this exclusive area one would ASSUME they would know Mr. Townsend, a famous resident who lived there except when UN was in session.
such cultivation- did it ever actually exist in America, except on the screen? It certainly doesn't now.
Vandamm (James Mason) was European. British or Benelux.
Possibly existed before around 1955
I would to wake up and have James Mason’s voice and accent.
2Accomplished actors in the same scene
James out does Cary I hate to say this. Because I love Cary so much. Martin Landau effective performance you can tell trained actors from not trained.
James Mason..........I wish I had his style
Once in some centurions...
I see a scene from The 39 Steps in here.
You're right! I never thought of that before.
There are several scenes in this movie similar to 39 steps .. eg .the auction scene
Basically a (then) modern version of The 39 Steps.
It would be better if you take this yourself. Otherwise we will have to INSIST. A classic understatement.
Why cast a Yorkshireman (James Mason) as a villain?
incomplete series?
thx
Jason Bourne?
GOLD & APPEL No, just a bait designated as spy. Jason Bourne is not a spy. He' s a killer.
But I thought Jason... committed suicide...
Cary Grant's accent and enunciation sounds so weird
Devil🏌️
James Mason a true Shakespearean actor.
mr. townsend was a pretty important guy around town..speaking at united nation functions and all..he would have been well known..but when the police go to his house there, the bad lady is supposed to be his wife mrs. townsend?? but she has been dead for awhile... the police would have known something was funny because they would have known his wife was dead?? doesnt make any sense for the storyline they must have overlooked this??
Mr. Townsend could've just remarried, have you considered that? The police aren't necessarily supposed to keep up with social columns.
Right before the henchman throws the knife into the real Townsend's back, killing him at the UN, Thornhill showed Townsend a photo from a newspaper. I've forgotten if the audience was ever shown that picture. Do we know who it was? Does it matter?
Yes, the audience was shown it and Mason is one of the people in the photo being shown to Townsend. We don't find out if Townsend recognized Mason in the photo because Townsend is stabbed and dies before he can say anything (unlike Louis Bernard in Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much, who tells Dr. McKenna (Jimmy Stewart) just before Bernard dies about the impending assassination in London !)
The casualties of the Cold War. May all those responsible for the Cold War on both sides rot in hell for all Eternity.
In communist Romania the Securitate took people from street by mistake and thrown them in jail just by paranoia.
Crazy days all over now
No, we'll have no part of your moral equivalence argument. Did you like the Wall, the secret police, the gulags, the food shortages brought on by the fact Marxist/Leninism doesn't work. The West wanted Peaceful co-existence. The Soviets built a nuclear doomsday machine. The West had warmongers but until Gorbachev the Soviets were the hard-core uncompromising.
...these bits and pieces are an insult to your audience!
SHAME on you!
You should be ASHAMED!
One of my favourites