North By Northwest 50th Anniversary Blu-Ray

Written on November 6, 2009 by Marc Eastman in Movies

When it comes to classic movies, there aren’t many around with a shot at topping North by Northwest. The treasure of cinema fans and frequent bane of film students is now available in a wonderful Blu-Ray treatment, fully remastered, and with great bonuses.

Cary Grant (as the ultimate man-on-the-run in his fourth Hitchcock teaming) gives a superlative performance while Eva Marie Saint (perfect Hitchcock heroine Eve Kendall) is at her sultry and sexy best in this heart-pounding thriller. Grant plays Manhattan adman Roger Thornhill, who is at once plunged into the world of spies and counterspies, abducted, framed for murder, chased, and (in the signature set-piece) crop-dusted. At the films’ end, he hangs on for dear life from the facial features of Mount Rushmore’s Presidents where he ultimately rescues Miss Saint.

Though there are many special features, and indeed the release makes for a virtual treasury, this is a DVD release in which the main bonus is simply the film itself. Remastered in 1080p, and the product of a full restoration from original VistaVision film, the movie looks amazing. On the whole, remastering is often the sort of thing that sounds good on the cover, but at the end of the day isn’t actually worth all that much. Yeah, fine, it looks a little better, but it isn’t exactly a major transformation that truly changes your viewing experience. In this case it really is. When it comes to certain classic scenes, like the notorious airplane sequence, the difference is almost beyond belief.

The first bonus of the release comes to you before the disc is even in the player. A 44-page book is included, and it’s filled with photos and production notes, and any fan of the film will be happy to have it.

There’s a commentary track by screenwriter Ernest Lehman, and it isn’t a bad track, but it is rather bland at times. Serious fans will definitely enjoy the conversation, but it feels lacking at times. A new documentary is also included The Master’s Touch: Hitchcock’s Signature Style and it could easily have been sold on its own. A really solid look at Hitchcock’s efforts and abilities, it’s a film class in a box. From the ways Hitchcock created mood and tension, to many of his little quirks that mark films as his, this is a great look at one of film’s best craftsmen.

Cary Grant: A Class Apart is a feature-length look at the man and his career. Another feature that is well worth the price on its own to the right audience, this is the sort of overview fans may watch repeatedly. Covering so much of his work and what went into the roles he played, this is a fun ride for anyone, and a surprise as a special feature.

North by Northwest: One for the Ages is a featurette that explores the innovations and influences of the film. Serious fans will get a lot out of this, but it is a bit like watching the movie in film class. Very interesting if you’re of the right mind, but not particularly interesting for more casual viewers.

Also part of the release is the 2000 Documentary Destination Hitchcock: The Making of North by Northwest. Another great look at the film which is actually overlapped in many respects by the other features at this point, this is nevertheless the only “making of,” and it is a solid effort. Serious fans have probably already seen it, but it’s a great addition that ties everything together.

There is also a stills gallery, theatrical trailers and a TV spot. And odd, but curiously fun bonus is a music-only track.

This one’s a no-brainer really. Great restoration treatment, one of the best films ever, and stuffed with great special features.

Own it on DVD and Blu-Ray today!

Enjoy a few clips below, as well as the one in the box at right.

Airplane Explosion

Not safe to drive

Scene at the auction

The arrival of North by Northwest on Blu-ray is a landmark event in home video history, as it marks the very first of the famed director’s films to become available on this state-of-the-art format. Accordingly, the film has received a meticulous restoration and remastering especially for this occasion with Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging scanning the original VistaVision production elements in 8K resolution. The resulting presentation reveals a depth of field and clarity never before possible, only serving to heighten every thrill-packed moment of this beloved classic.

Starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, co-starring Jessie Royce Landis, Leo G. Carroll and Martin Landau, the stylish, action-packed espionage caper was written by Ernest Lehman, with music by Bernard Herrmann. Nominated for three Academy Awards^® including Best Writing, Film Editing and Art Direction, the film was lauded as #4 on AFI’s ”100 Years…100 Thrills” and selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.