 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
North by Northwest
- Review Date: November 1, 2005
- NR
- Genre: Classic
- 1959
Common Sense Media says
Witty Hitchcock thriller piles on suspense and innuendo.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this Hitchcock classic includes suspenseful scenes such as a forced drunken car chase on windy roads and a crop duster chase with shooting and an explosion. Typical of the era, there's drinking of hard liquor and smoking, with a seductive lighting-up featured in one scene. More seductive elements include forward sexual banter and some kissing -- the clothes stay on but there's a mention that the main characters slept together in their train car. It's also worth noting that the main character undergoes a big transformation, from fast-talking and unscrupulous ad exec to a man who risks his own life to find out the truth that will exonerate him.
What's the story?
Cary Grant stars as Roger Thornhill, an advertising executive who is mistaken for a spy named George Kaplan. When his life is turned upside down, Thornhill decides the only way to get his life back is to track down the real Kaplan himself.
Is it any good?
Cary Grant is superb as Thornhill. The character demands large tonal shifts, from mama's boy to suave sophisticate, from terrified man on the run to indignant pawn of the government, and Grant pulls it all off convincingly. Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint) is a perfect foil for Thornhill's man under pressure. She's cool and mysterious, leaving Thornhill unsure of whether to trust her for much of their time together.
NORTH BY NORTHWEST is consistently light and comic. Some sort of silly comment or joke relieves even the tensest scene. Sure to entertain viewers with even the most diverse of tastes, the film is a true cinematic pleasure with an impressive pedigree.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the lasting appeal of Hitchcock movies. What makes this film a classic? What are some techniques that he uses that you've seen used in other movies?
Talk about who Roger Thornhill is at the beginning and the end of this movie. Has the experience made him a better person? What is the underlying message of the movie?
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AGE
Geat film--not for young children, though.
Wonderful film. Great acting by Cary Grant.
The scenes at Mt. Rushmore are thrilling, beautiful and suspenseful.
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AGE
An engaging action flick...
NORTH BY NORTHWEST is a fun movie, and great, suspenseful viewing for family movie night (for those who are old enough). There are several intense scenes, and in two places men are shot (nongraphically). One man is stabbed and another man is framed for it. There is a bit of innuendo ("you could always sleep in by booth with me, where it's safe" or "what should I do with you in the morning") and a couple are seen kissing passionately.
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AGE
A family favorite!!
This is a family favorite for all three of our kids.
We like classic movies because the material is generally suitable for the kids and it’s not dumbed down for them or us. Because much of the content is from a past era, some things need explanation. We prefer to use questionable content as teachable moments with which to reinforce our values.
Some of the scenes are harrowing, but all told there is less violence here than in most of today’s fare. I will however describe the teachable moments we have found.
-One scene contains a man involuntary driving while drunk. Yes, it was involuntary. We use it as a chance to talk about moderation and responsibility.
-Another scene implies spending the night with a stranger. We make sure our kids know that’s not exactly desirable behavior.
Those are the main ones – enjoy!
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AGE
Bad romance, action could have been better, just...forgettable
AFI ranked this as the #4 most thrilling movie ever, with only Exorcist, Jaws, and Psycho ahead of it. That's pretty big shoes to fill. But this didn't fill them. For an action movie, the only memorable action sequences were the cropduster (which was stupid...he should have just laid down and waited for it to run out of gas), and the Mt. Rushmore (silly). The romance was not believable, as they met and six hours later they had a makeout scene that was about fifteen minutes too long. Not much was believable, and the connecting material between action was scanty. Not worth seeing.
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AGE
BEST MOVIE EVER !!!
I saw North By Northwest when I was 10, and I think it may be one of the best movies I have ever seen. There was one scene that creeped me out a bit, but besides that, I enjoyed every minute!
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AGE
Only 4 stars?
By far one of the best thrillers ever made. Reccomend it to any fan of suspense.
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AGE
One of the best Hitchcock movies ever.
My rating: PG [borderline with PG-13] for some violent images and brief alcohol use.
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AGE
Suspenseful and thrilling
Cary Grant shines, in this spectacularly thrilling Hitchcock classic. That cropduster scene was so beautifuly shot it gives me the chills. The film does have some scenes of peril and violence that parents may not want there young kids to see. It is the perfect movie for teens, though
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Alfred Hitchcock |
| Cast: | Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason |
| Genre: | Classic |
| Run time: | 131 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 17, 1959 |
| DVD release date: | September 7, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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