North by Northwest - An Overview

North By Northwest is a film directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. Produced in 1959, the motion picture starred man-of-the-moment Cary Grant, and the attractive Eva Marie Saint. Writer of the film, Ernest Lehman wanted to write "the Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures".

The plot consists of Madison Avenue Advertising Executive, Roger Thornhill being taken to a large mansion by two minions of a powerful villain. Soon after Thornhill arrives at the large mansion, we find out that he has been mistaken for a Mr. George Kaplan. Confused, Thornhill decides against co-operating with the villain, who he identifies as Lester Townsend, and is consequently made dangerously drunk. He is then placed in a moving car by Townsend's minions; Thornhill suddenly comes around, and manages to drive the car to safety. However, this safety came at a price, and Thornhill was charged by the police for drink driving. Thornhill proclaims his innocence and tells the police, judge, and mother what happened. But no one believed him, especially after a woman at Townsend's mansion creates an elaborate story, in which Thornhill became drunk, and then left the residency.

Thornhill's confusion spurs him on to establish the truth. He and his mother head to Kaplan's hotel room, and discover that no one has seen the ambiguous Mr. Kaplan. Thornhill exits the hotel, after outwitting the minions that are lurking around, waiting to capture him. Thornhill heads to the United Nations building, to confront Mr. Townsend. On arrival, Thornhill notices that Mr. Townsend is not the same person as before. Whilst explaining the situation to Townsend, Thornhill spots a villainous henchman. The henchman then launches a knife into the back of Townsend, killing him, and leaving Thornhill as the prime suspect.

Thornhill flees and ends up hiding on a long-distance train journey. On the journey, he meets the lovely Miss Eve Kendall. She woos him, and helps him stay hidden. They share a night together, and are seemingly loved up. However, we see our uber villain receive a note from Eve Kendall, indicating that she is in on this scandalous affair. After safely negotiating his way out of trouble, Kendall provides Thornhill with specific instructions on meeting Kaplan. Following these instructions, Thornhill ends up at an empty crossroad.

Suddenly, a small plane flies close to our protagonist, firing bullets. Panicking, Thornhill hides in the tall crops. He remains there until pesticides are dropped, forcing him out. Thornhill acts desperately, and motions for a large truck to stop, which it barely does. The pilot of the small plane loses control and flies into one of the tanks of the truck, which explodes. Thornhill, who remains unhurt, then flees using a stopped passer-by's car.

Arriving at Kaplan's supposed hotel, Thornhill spots Kendall and follows her to her room. Whilst in there, Kendall receives a call and notes an address. She then sneaks out whilst Thornhill is pretending to shower. Thornhill then uses a pencil technique to find the address. Knowing the address, Thornhill sets off to find Miss Kendall.

He arrives at the address, which is an auction house, in which he finds Miss Kendall, our villain's minions, and the villain himself. It now becomes apparent that Kendall works for the villain. From the bidding, we, and Thornhill discover the villain's name - Mr Vandamm. Thornhill tries to leave, but is blocked out by Vandamm's men. He then draws attention to himself, being a nuisance in the auctions, and is taken away by police. Whilst travelling to the police station, the driver gets a call, and they travel to the airport instead.

At the airport, Thornhill meets a older man, known as the Professor. The Professor tells Thornhill that George Kaplan doesn't exist, and that he has been trailing Vandamm for a while now. He also tells Thornhill that Kendall is an undercover agent, who is now at risk.

The film skips to Mount Rushmore, where Kendall walks into the large cafeteria, accompanied by Vandamm and his most loyal slave. Thornhill asks to see Vandamm, and he tells him that he knows where he is heading, and will turn a blind-eye, providing he takes Miss Kendall. The conversation breaks down, and Thornill approaches Kendall, who shoots him and flees. Thornhill is then driven away.

We then see the car stop in the woods, and Thornhill gets out of the car. He walks over, and sees Miss Kendall. They both apologise for earlier actions. The bombshell is then dropped that Kendall is travelling with Vandamm later that evening, never seeing Thornhill again. The pair are then separated.

Thornhill is then placed in a hospital, and escapes. He uses a taxi to get to Vandamm's appartment, and listens in on Vandamm and his minion's conversation. The conversation consisted on the minion discovering the gun used to shoot Thornhill - the gun was full of blanks. Vandamm realises that Kendall is working against him, and says that he will dispose of her in the air. Hearing this, Thornhill sets about telling Kendall.

Kendall is told of Vandamm's plan, yet is dragged to the entrance of the plane. She escapes and runs away with Thornhill. The pair then travel as fast as they can, until they reach Mount Rushmore. They begin to scale down it, followed by two of Vandamm's men. One man falls off, and Kendall slips. Thornhill tries to reach her, and slips himself. They are both dangling hundreds of feet in the air, and only Thornhill's hand is keeping them alive. The second of Vandamm's henchmen reach the duo, and proceeds in stepping on Thornhill's hand. A gun shot is heard, and the henchman falls out of sight.

The duo are next seen together on a train, kissing passionately.

From the plot, we can see that North By Northwest is a highly exciting, fast-paced movie, with many twists and turns in the storyline. Hitchcock leaves us second-guessing and reassessing our beliefs as to who is who, and what is what. We are led down many paths, and then redirected into another rollercoaster ride of action and drama.

My next blog post will be detailing how Hitchcock provides the viewer with thrills during some of the most exciting scenes of the film.