Review of Foreign Correspondent (1940) by Danijel J — 13 Oct 2011

Foreign Correspondent is Alfred Hitchcock`s second film in 1940. and though it may not be a masterpiece as Rebecca, it is definitely one of the most entertaining works by the great master, probably beaten only by North by Northwest. It is a movie set in three different countries, on two continents, with the action taking place in the land, see and the air, all of that in the safe confounds of a Hollywood studio. What more can you ask for?!

It stars Joel McCera as a news reporter Johnny Jones, sent to Europe as a foreign correspondent in the wake of the World War II, under a pen name Huntley Haverstock ("because it sounds more serious"). There, he has an assignment to attend at a Universal Peace Party meeting, and to interview an important Duch diplomat Von Meer (Albert Bassermann). By sheer coincidence he meets Van Meer on his their way to the party but when they arrive, he suddenly disappears from his sight. At the party he meets Peace Party President`s daughter (off course, they will fall madly in love on the way), and the story quickly moves to Amsterdam. This is only the beginning and there is really no use of going on further about the plot.

The most memorable part of this one are many wonderful set pieces, used as a background for Hitchcock`s masterful building of suspense. There is a breathtaking sequence in a windmill that stands out as perfect example of doing so much with so little.

As for the actors, supporting players carry this one, especially Basserman as Von Meer, who steels every scene he is in. George Sanders as Scott Ffoliot (its not a spelling mistake) is right behind him. McCera lacks charisma to carry on a lead role and his love subplot (deliberately cheesy which makes it even a self parody) sometimes slows the movie down.

When I first noticed the number of writers (four of them and bunch of uncredited ones) I thought this could be one of those "too many cooks" situations, but luckily I was wrong. They actually made the story more unpredictable and the dialogue more versatile. The finale result was great fun all around, especially for Hitchcock I imagine. The last twenty minutes are a shameless propaganda, with the nod even from genius in that area, Joseph Goebbels.

Foreign Correspondent doesn't have any big statements about war, that was not the intention anyway. But watching it, you may get the glimpse of the atmosphere at the start of the biggest conflict in history of mankind.