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North by Northwest

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by Alfred Hitchcock

 

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Summary in 1 sentence

An innocent man is mistaken for a government agent by foreign spies and he must go on the run across the country while trying to survive and clear his name.


Summary in a Twitter post

In Hitchcock's thrilling masterpiece, North by Northwest, an innocent man gets mistaken for a spy, leading to a cross-country chase, iconic crop-duster scene, and a climactic Mount Rushmore showdown. A must-watch classic! #NorthByNorthwest #HitchcockClassic


Summary in an SMS/text message

NY ad exec mistaken for a spy, chased cross-country by enemy agents, falls for a mysterious woman. Classic Hitchcock suspense and romance!


Summary in a Facebook post

Just watched Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest - a thrilling blend of suspense, romance, and mistaken identity! Cary Grant delivers a stellar performance as a man on the run, wrongly accused of espionage. The iconic crop duster chase and Mount Rushmore climax are unforgettable! A must-watch classic! #NorthByNorthwest #HitchcockMasterpiece


Summary in a 1 minute read

North by Northwest is a classic thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The story follows Roger Thornhill, a New York advertising executive who is mistaken for a government agent by a group of spies. Thornhill is kidnapped and taken to a remote location, where he is interrogated and framed for murder. He manages to escape and goes on the run, trying to clear his name and find the real culprits. Along the way, he meets a mysterious woman named Eve Kendall, who may or may not be on his side. As Thornhill races across the country, he encounters danger at every turn, including a thrilling chase scene on the faces of Mount Rushmore. In the end, he uncovers a plot to smuggle microfilm out of the country and is able to stop the spies and clear his name. With its iconic scenes and suspenseful plot, North by Northwest is a must-see for any Hitchcock fan.


Summary in 1 page

  • Roger Thornhill: A successful advertising executive who is mistaken for a government agent and becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of espionage.
  • Eve Kendall: A mysterious and alluring woman who helps Thornhill escape from the police and later becomes his love interest.
  • Phillip Vandamm: The main antagonist, a foreign spy who believes Thornhill is a government agent and tries to have him killed.
  • Leonard: Vandamm’s right-hand man and a skilled assassin.
  • Clara Thornhill: Roger’s mother who is initially skeptical of his story but later helps him in his quest to clear his name.
  • Professor Roger Townsend: A government agent who is killed in the opening scene, leading to Thornhill’s mistaken identity.

The film opens with Roger Thornhill, a successful advertising executive, having a business lunch at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. He is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies who are meeting there. They kidnap him and take him to a mansion on Long Island, where he is interrogated by their leader, Phillip Vandamm. Thornhill insists that he is not the man they are looking for, but they do not believe him and try to kill him by making him drunk and sending him off in a car. However, Thornhill manages to escape and ends up being arrested by the police for drunk driving.

After being released, Thornhill tries to clear his name by going to the United Nations, where he was told the real government agent would be. However, he is mistaken for the agent once again and is chased by the police. He manages to escape with the help of a mysterious woman named Eve Kendall, who takes him to her compartment on a train. She claims to be a government agent and helps Thornhill escape from the police.

Thornhill and Kendall develop a romantic relationship during their journey on the train, but Kendall is actually working with Vandamm and is only using Thornhill to get information from him. She arranges for him to meet with Townsend, the real government agent, but he is killed before he can reveal anything to Thornhill. Kendall then turns Thornhill over to Vandamm, who takes him to his hideout in the middle of nowhere.

Thornhill manages to escape once again and makes his way to a small town in Indiana, where he meets with Townsend’s mother, Clara. She believes Thornhill’s story and helps him contact the government. However, Vandamm’s men catch up to them and Thornhill is forced to flee once again. He ends up at Mount Rushmore, where he is finally able to confront Vandamm and his men.

In a thrilling climax, Thornhill and Kendall are chased by Vandamm and his men on the faces of Mount Rushmore. They manage to evade their pursuers and eventually confront Vandamm at the top of the monument. In a final showdown, Thornhill is able to expose Vandamm’s true intentions and save himself and Kendall.

In the end, Thornhill and Kendall are seen on a train, presumably heading back to New York City. They share a kiss, indicating that their relationship has become genuine. The film ends with the iconic shot of the train entering a tunnel, symbolizing the consummation of their relationship.

In typical Hitchcock fashion, North by Northwest is a thrilling and suspenseful film that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. With its iconic scenes, clever plot twists, and strong performances by the lead actors, it is considered one of Hitchcock’s greatest works and a classic in the thriller genre.


FAQ

  1. What is the plot of North by Northwest?

    The plot follows an advertising executive who is mistaken for a government agent and becomes entangled in a web of espionage and danger.
  2. Who directed North by Northwest?

    The movie was directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
  3. When was North by Northwest released?

    The film was released in 1959.
  4. Who stars in North by Northwest?

    The movie stars Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason.
  5. Is North by Northwest based on a true story?

    No, the movie is a work of fiction.
  6. What genre is North by Northwest?

    The film is a thriller.
  7. Where does North by Northwest take place?

    The movie is set in various locations in the United States, including New York City, Chicago, and Mount Rushmore.
  8. What is the famous crop duster scene in North by Northwest?

    The famous scene involves the main character being chased by a crop duster plane in an open field.
  9. What is the meaning of the title North by Northwest?

    The title is a reference to a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and also serves as a nod to the film’s themes of mistaken identity and the characters’ constant movement.
  10. What is the significance of the character’s initials in North by Northwest?

    The main character’s initials, R.O.T., are a play on the word “rot,” symbolizing his descent into a world of danger and deceit.
  11. What is the famous line from North by Northwest?

    The famous line is “I’m an advertising man, not a red herring.”
  12. What is the meaning of the final shot in North by Northwest?

    The final shot, which shows the main characters on a train together, symbolizes their newfound love and the resolution of the film’s conflicts.
  13. What is the significance of the statue in North by Northwest?

    The statue of Abraham Lincoln at Mount Rushmore serves as a symbol of American ideals and also foreshadows the climax of the film.
  14. What is the theme of North by Northwest?

    The film explores themes of mistaken identity, espionage, and the search for truth.
  15. What is the rating of North by Northwest?

    The movie has a rating of PG for mild violence and language.
  16. Is North by Northwest considered a classic?

    Yes, the film is considered a classic in the thriller genre and is often praised for its suspenseful plot and iconic scenes.
  17. What awards did North by Northwest win?

    The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards and won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
  18. What is the running time of North by Northwest?

    The film has a running time of 136 minutes.
  19. Is North by Northwest available to stream?

    Yes, the movie is available to stream on various platforms, including Amazon Prime and Hulu.
  20. What is the significance of the color green in North by Northwest?

    The color green is used throughout the film to symbolize danger and deception.
  21. What is the famous music in North by Northwest?

    The famous score was composed by Bernard Herrmann and is often recognized for its suspenseful and iconic theme.
  22. What is the meaning of the final shot in North by Northwest?

    The final shot, which shows the main characters on a train together, symbolizes their newfound love and the resolution of the film’s conflicts.
  23. What is the significance of the character’s suit in North by Northwest?

    The main character’s suit, which is constantly being dirtied and torn throughout the film, represents his descent into chaos and danger.
  24. What is the connection between North by Northwest and other Hitchcock films?

    The film shares many similarities with other Hitchcock films, including themes of mistaken identity and a suspenseful plot.
  25. What is the meaning of the final shot in North by Northwest?

    The final shot, which shows the main characters on a train together, symbolizes their newfound love and the resolution of the film’s conflicts.
  26. What is the significance of the character’s suit in North by Northwest?

    The main character’s suit, which is constantly being dirtied and torn throughout the film, represents his descent into chaos and danger.
  27. What is the connection between North by Northwest and other Hitchcock films?

    The film shares many similarities with other Hitchcock films, including themes of mistaken identity and a suspenseful plot.


 

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