There can be no question that amongst the list of all time directors, Alfred Hitchcock would be somewhere near to the top. With a list of films that regularly appear in Top 10 films of all times, Hitchcock never seems to have put a foot wrong. Actually that's not true as in amongst his Rear Windows, Psycho's and Vertigo's are some pretty mediocre efforts (why does Rope spring to mind?). Usually filled with tension, drama, and excitement, Hitchcock played with his audiences and you always knew that you could expect something just ever so slightly bizarre from the ever so slightly rotund director. Whether he was blurring the line between reality and fantasy in efforts such as The Birds, scaring us half to death, or revisiting past glories (he made The Man Who Knew Too Much twice) it's generally accepted that Hitchcock had a certain style and manner all of his own. But how could even he make a spy thriller starring Cary Grant?

A routine spy thriller doesn't sound like much to get overly excited about and a routine spy thriller ISN'T somethign to get excited about - North By Northwest (N by NW hereafter) ISN'T a routine spy thriller though. The talent is undoubtedly present but that's no guarantee of success...we've seen that demonstrated all too often.

The story is a twisty beast but not so complex that it demands 100% concentration. Films such as Funeral In Berlin are all well and good but if you let your attention wander for just a few minutes you'll miss something 'vital' and spend the rest of the film going "Who's he?", "He's doing what to who now?". N by NW strikes the balance well and although repeat viewings seem to reveal more and more, those new to the film won't ever feel as though they're missing anything. Amidst the spy caper though we have an awful lot more. There's an element of romance, a note of comedy, and a mystery supreme. Some spy thrillers come across as being cold and lifeless but N by NW has a warmth to it that makes it a far more rounded and complete picture. The characters may not be 100% realistic but they're far less two dimensional and unappealing as in many a movie.

Where N by NW strikes it really big though is in it's cast. The surprise casting of Cary Grant might indicate a more lighthearted film and while Cary generates the bulk of the laughs in the film he is actually quite restrained. Grant makes a fine leading man but is never a two brain cell hero figure from the Rock Hudson mould. He can act and puts in a great performance as the recalcitrant hero of the hour. With great charm Grant gives the film a great deal of it's warmth and it's he that shifts it away from being what could have been a cold and sterile movie. Yes you might not immediately imagine our man Grant as being the serious spy type but hell, he certainly does a good impression of one.

Very much in character James Mason is excellent as the duplicitous Vandamm. Mason is as smooth and dignified as ever and although he's the bad guy, we can't help but respect and like him. Just as impressive is a very young Martin Landau who's slightly 'geeky' looks give him a dangerous air of mystery. You know, looking at the cast in retrospect there's not one of them who does a bad job.

Bernard Herrmann once more does the honours when it comes to the soundtrack and he creates a great booming sound that can't fail to get the adrenaline pumping. While Psycho was all nerve rattling strings, N by NW is rumbling bass noises heightened by delicate high notes. It rips along at a fair old rate and really does enhance the feeling of the innocent (Roger) being taken on a ride he has no control over.