North by Northwest

North by Northwest

1959

"An innocent New York advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive." 

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Stars: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason

Overview

Roger Thornhill finds himself in trouble with some spies when he is mistaken for a man called George Kaplan. In the film he is framed for murder and on the run from the police, he manages to board the train in disguise to Chicago where he meets this beautiful blond woman called Eve Kendall. They seem to instantly like each other and she helps him evade the policemen in search for him. His world is turned upside down yet again when he learns that Eve isn't as innocent as first thought. North by Northwest is very suspenseful film directed by Alfred Hitchcock released in 1959. Hitchcock captures the suspense perfectly, using continuity editing techniques including reverse shots, and match editing, as well as discontinuity techniques. Alfred Hitchcock includes many continuity editing techniques in North by Northwest to create both cohesion and suspense. The first occurs is the establishing shot, whenever a new scene happens, Hitchcock uses an establishing shot to provide overview to a scene.  After Mr. Vandamm’s associates kidnap Roger Thornhill, there are numerous establishing shots providing an overview of the location Roger is being taken to, Townsend Mansion.  When the movie progresses and locations change, Hitchcock uses more establishing shots at the Chicago bus stop and Mount Rushmore.  These establishing shots allow audience members to understand what is going on and where the succeeding scene is occurring.  In a film where the location of key characters change frequently, it is important to use establishing shots effectively to ensure audience members know what is going on.  The second continuity editing technique used in North by Northwest is the reverse shot pattern.  When Roger Thornhill first encounters Phillip Vandamm, Alfred Hitchcock uses the reverse shot pattern throughout the conversation.  The reverse shot pattern allows the viewer to see the reaction of the character’s faces more closely, which adds suspense to the film. Lastly, the use of match editing creates a smoothness effect and can frequently be seen in North by Northwest.  This smoothness effect lets the scene cuts seem more natural which keeps the viewer engaged to the story. Although numerous examples of continuity editing techniques are in North by Northwest, there are also a variety of discontinuity techniques.  Using discontinuity techniques can help depict a character. When Roger Thornhill first meets Eve Kendall, she is wearing a white dress with plenty of skin showing, depicting her as a “good” person who is helping Roger Thornhill escape from police.  While Eve Kendall is off-screen, the viewer learns that she is an agent for the evil Mr. Vandamm.  The next scene, we find Ms. Kendall wearing a thick, black coat, depicting her as a “bad” person.  Using this discontinuity technique emphasizes Eve’s transition from a helpful person to a secret agent, which helps the viewer follow the story and adds suspense.

Here is the Trailer for North By Northwest: