The Alfred Hitchcock Film Festival: Notorious

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Having just obtained this classic film in a Criterion DVD, I am now able to appreciate it fully.

For those that have read my previous thread on the film, please disregard it. I just reread it, and I don’t remember saying any of those things, nor do I believe them. I am completely baffled by my comments.:eek:

A very tightly plotted thriller with an excellent Hecht script, I can’t help but agree (and disagree) with Wood and Truffaut that this is the ultimate representation of Hitchock’s art. I believe that this ranks near the penultimate representation. The ultimate representation, in my opinion, is Vertigo. I will get to that film later.

Sorry, lissener, but I think that this is a superior film than The Birds.

The graceful camera, the elegant suspense; all come together beautifully. Alicia approaching the Unica key, passing the key down her back. The crane shot at the party. The kiss. Konstantin’s introduction.

The beginning is a bit weak, but not too badly.

Dark, disturbing and emotional, it makes an interesting companion piece to The 39 steps.

Please excuse my OP, I am a bit out of it.

2

SHIT! Move this to Cafe Society, please. Really out of it.

3

Interestingly enough, I had noted that the Sebastian estate closely resembled the Bullock estate. Listening to Behlmer’s commentary, I have learned that they were filmed by the same cinematographer. Whetehr or not they are the same set, or simply filmed the same way for an air of similarity is up for debate.

4

Please, mods, move this to Cafe Society. I can’t get to my email to email you personally.

5

And I’ll add: staircase scene: the final scene, of course (one of Hitchcock’s most suspenseful).