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Joel McCrea, Laraine Day, Herbert Marshall, George Sanders, Albert Basserman ... see more see more... , Robert Benchley , Edmund Gwenn , Harry Davenport , Barbara Pepper , Eddie Conrad , Martin Kosleck , Sam Adams , Barry Bernard , Henry Blair , Louis Borell , Louise Brien , John Burton , Frances Carson , Willy Castello , Wheaton Chambers , Ken Christy , Eduardo Ciannelli , E.E. Clive , Gino Corrado , Harry Depp , Elspeth Dudgeon , Herbert Evans , James Finlayson , Robert C. Fischer , John George , Roy Gordon , Alexander Granach , Charles Halton , Holmes Herbert , Gertrude W. Hoffman , Otto Hoffman , Paul Irving , Colin Kenny , Crauford Kent , Terry Kilburn , Marten Lamont , Joan Leslie , Gwendolen Logan , Eily Malyon , Ted Mapes , Leonard Mudie , John T. Murray , Jane Novak , Emory Parnell , Helena Phillips Evans , Hilda Plowright , Thomas Pogue , Jack Rice , Harry Semels , Raymond Severn , William Stelling , Donald Stuart , Paul Sutton , Ferris Taylor , Dorothy Vaughan , Hans Von Morhart , Charles Wagenheim , Ian Wolfe , William Yetter Jr. , Mary Young , Horace B. Carpenter , George B. French , Ted Offenbecker , Bunny Beatty , Frank Benson , Douglas Gordon , John Meredith , Loulette Sablon , Ernie Stanton , Meeka Aldrich , George Cathrey , George Offerman , Albert Bassermann

Fourteen scriptwriters spent five years toiling over a movie adaptation of war correspondent Vincent Sheehan's Personal History before producer Walter Wanger brought the property to the screen as Fore... read more read more...ign Correspondent. What emerged was approximately 2 parts Sheehan and 8 parts director Alfred Hitchcock--and what's wrong with that? Joel McCrea stars as an American journalist sent by his newspaper to cover the volatile war scene in Europe in the years 1938 to 1940. He has barely arrived in Holland before he witnesses the assassination of Dutch diplomat Albert Basserman: at least, that's what he thinks he sees. McCrea makes the acquaintance of peace-activist Herbert Marshall, his like-minded daughter Laraine Day, and cheeky British secret agent George Sanders. A wild chase through the streets of Amsterdam, with McCrea dodging bullets, leads to the classic "alternating windmills" scene, which tips Our Hero to the existence of a formidable subversive organization. McCrea returns to England, where he nearly falls victim to the machinations of jovial hired-killer Edmund Gwenn. The leader of the spy ring is revealed during the climactic plane-crash sequence--which, like the aforementioned windmill scene, is a cinematic tour de force for director Hitchcock and cinematographer Rudolph Mate. Producer Wanger kept abreast of breaking news events all through the filming of Foreign Correspondent, enabling him to keep the picture as "hot" as possible: the final scene, with McCrea broadcasting to a "sleeping" America from London while Nazi bombs drop all around him, was filmed only a short time after the actual London blitz. The script was co-written by Robert Benchley, who has a wonderful supporting role as an eternally tippling newsman. Foreign Correspondent was Alfred Hitchcock's second American film, and remained one of his (and his fans') personal favorites. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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78% liked it

6,246 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

29 critics

Unrated, 2 hr.

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Release Date: January 1, 1940

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DVD Release Date: September 7, 2004

 

Stats: 315 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (315)

  • bottcorecords1
    May 16, 2012
    bottcorecords1
    Alfred Hitchcock's tale of foreign intrigue and reversible windmills centers around John Jones (Joel McCrea), a maverick crime reporter whose editor feels he would be perfect to cover the burgeoning rumours of war echoing around Europe (for, he reasons, what is happening in Europ... read moree if not a crime?). Jones fits the image of the loud-mouthed American to a tee, sticking his foot into it at every wrong opportunity, but, having been a crime reporter, he knows a frame up when he sees one. Arriving in Europe, he first attends a luncheon for the Dutch diplomat Van Meer (Albert Bassermann), who is to give a speech for the Universal Peace Party (which is headed by a man named Fisher and his daughter, Carol). Later, when Van Meer is very publicly shot, Jones and the daughter team up with fellow reporter ffoliott (George Sanders) to chase down the assassin.

    There are some very suspenseful set pieces in the film, one of which takes place in a windmill, and another onboard a transcontinental flight. Both could be considered Hitchcock's 'signature' on the film, they are unmistakeably 'Hitchcockian'. However, it's the performances in the film, with McCrea's brashness and Sanders' suaveness, and even the scene-stealing performance of Edmund Gwenn (Kris Kringle from "Miracle on 34th Street") as a dangerous hitman, that make this film really great. All the espionage is wrapped up with a rousing call to defend the last bastion of liberty as the world pulls inexorably towards self-destruction. Every element of this film is masterfully done, and it is so much more than just a suspense film, the only way it could've lost the academy award in 1941 was to another Hitchcock film released the same year (that being "Rebecca"). If I had one complaint, it's that Alfred Newman's film score doesn't always jibe with what's taking place onscreen. It's a small complaint for a great film.
  • blkbomb
    November 19, 2011
    blkbomb
    Johnny Jones: I came 4,000 miles to get a story. I get shot at like a duck in a shooting gallery, I get pushed off buildings, I get the story, and then I've got to shut up! 

    "MYSTERY IN WHISPERS that cracks like THUNDER!"

    Although Foreign Correspondent is definitely lesser Hitc... read morehcock, it is still a Hitchcock film, so you know it is going to be an above average thriller. I had a lot of fun watching this for the most part, although the movie would drag at times. It isn't as well made as other Hitchcock movies, it isn't as interesting as other Hitchcock movies, it isn't Vertigo or Rear Window, but it is a solid political thriller from the Master. 

    A reporter is sent to Europe to cover the prewar goings on. He sees an assassination an follows the man who did it to a old mill. There he sees that the man who was thought to be killed is really still alive and that there is a lot more going on then he initially suspected. From there, the plot takes twists and turns and it is hard to know who is good and who is bad. The constant reexaminations of the characters keep things interesting for the two hour runtime.

    As much as I loved the movie, when watching a Hitchcock movie it is hard to not compare it to his many masterpieces. If you go in expecting a movie that is going to be as good as Psycho or North by Northwest, you will be disappointed. If you are just a big Hitchcock fan like me, then it will be well worth the effort to track down and watch.
  • fb1664868775
    November 15, 2011
    fb1664868775
    A really entertaining film. Hitchcock blends comedy and suspense along with amazing sets to create his masterpiece propaganda film.
  • ajv2688
    December 16, 2010
    ajv2688
    A little long, but a great war movie from Hitchcock. It's really exciting and thrilling, I highly recommend it.
  • ythelastman89
    April 29, 2010
    ythelastman89
    An interesting pre-WWII adventure/thriller from Hitchcock. Itā??s not a masterpiece, but itā??s still a fun movie that is a cut above others like it. Joel McCrea is a decent enough lead, but isnā??t exactly exploding with charisma. However, George Sanders and Laraine Day are very... read more entertaining to even things out. Itā??s mostly the sabotage plot that keeps you entertained. Thereā??s a lot of great looking sets and offbeat comedy, I always find the bodyguard/hitman aspect hilarious. Not one of the best Hitchcock experiences, but you could certainly do worse.
  • rubystevens
    April 11, 2009
    rubystevens
    it may be considered a minor hitchcock, overshadowed by the release of rebecca in the same year, but this spy thriller set on the brink of world war 2 is great fun. joel mcrea and laraine day are so damn likeable and george sanders and robert benchley are always a plus in my opi... read morenion. star spangled banner at the end is a bit much tho :p
  • kenstachnik
    October 8, 2007
    kenstachnik
    Quintessential Hitchcock. Who knew windmills could be so cool
  • staindslaved
    March 3, 2012
    staindslaved
    With memorable sets, events and scenes Foreign Correspondent stands tall as one of Hitchcock's very best. The classic stairs shooting, the windmill scene and a more grim ending than audiences were used to the film was a rousing success and remains a borderline classic to this da... read morey. Overshadowed by Hitchock's other 1940 film Rebecca almong with an onslaught of memorably and beloved thrillers over the next two decades, Correspondent has become a bit obscured in the Hitchcock canon of films. If not on the same level as Hitchcock's greats it is still a film well worth checking out.
  • adfill7
    May 17, 2010
    adfill7
    Hitchcock's thriller is a twisted, crazy spy thriller. Recommended.
  • DrStrangeblog
    October 30, 2009
    DrStrangeblog
    A letdown from the Master, especially considering this film was the highest-regarded Hitch I had not yet seen. Leonard Maltin plugs it with 4 out of 4 stars, but there is nowhere near the suspense of his other classics. Pretty simply, the problem is Joel McCrea, a mediocre acto... read morer whose flippant attitude and awkward line readings dissolve much of the tension. The excellent, droll work of supporting players like George Sanders and Robert Benchley make McCrea's shortcomings all the more glaring. If only Hitch could've convinced Gary Cooper, who turned down the lead saying the movie was "just a thriller" during an era of film before Hitch himself had elevated the genre.

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Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr
March 27, 2009
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

This film contains one of Hitchcock's most famous set pieces -- an assassination in the rain -- but otherwise remains a second-rate effort, as immensely enjoyable as it is. Full Review

Variety Staff
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

Story is essentially the old cops-and-robbers. But it has been set in a background of international political intrigue of the largest order. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
January 28, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Into it Director Alfred Hitchcock, whose unmistakable stamp the picture bears, has packed about as much romantic action, melodramatic hullabaloo, comical diversion and illusion of momentous consequenc... Full Review

Wesley Lovell
August 16, 2011
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy

A showcase of early Hitchcock suspense. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
March 20, 2008
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Due to the rapidly changing political context, more writers worked on the script than on any Hitchcock thriller, but end result is satisfying (if not credible), and even Nazi Propaganda Minister Goebb... Full Review

David Nusair
February 2, 2007
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...a strangely uninvolving thriller... Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
February 19, 2006
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

highly entertaining with many great set pieces. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
January 26, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Hitchcock's espionage thriller is a thoroughly enjoyable affair, complete with some of his most memorable set pieces. Full Review

Michael E. Grost
August 13, 2005
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television

Hitchcok gem

Walter Chaw
March 21, 2005
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

Funny on purpose and that, obviously, makes all the difference in the world. Full Review

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  • A plane is shot down by a gunboat and the resulting crash is captured by a camera inside the cockpit that records the plane hitting the sea and slowly filling up with water. From which Alfred Hitchcock movie is this a scene?   Answer »
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