Review of The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) by Josh G — 14 Jan 2010

'The Man who knew too much' is a remade 1955/1956 film by the same director the legend Alfred Hitchcock, Hitchcock remade the film with James Stewart in 1956 for Paramount Pictures; it's the only film he ever remade. The two films are, however, very differnt in tone, in setting, and in many plot details. Basically the plot of the film is about Ben (James Stewart), Jo (Doris Day) and their son are Americans vacationing in morocco and when French spy dies and find out their son has been kidnapped to England and Jo and Ben go to England to save the son life, not knowing who to trust and there nightmare has just began and from the begging of the film it show a music opera and say about how one bang can almost destroy an American family thought it was freaky and odd, but I get it because it show you why at the end of the film and I love the ending off the film as Three lead characters say "sorry we took so long had to go and pick hunk up" that ending is hilarious you have to watch the film to understand why it is soo funny.

The film is a classic among Alfred Hitchcock fans and it a intelligent and clever remade film of his on 1934 same title film that was one of the most successful and critically acclaimed films of Hitchcock's British period. The film has a good enough storyline/plot to keep you guessing what the mystery of this film is about, The movie speaks Alfred Hitchcock terror and suspense and is a brilliant, excellent , terrific & outstanding Alfred Hitchcock film. The film is genius and the directory of a legend Alfred Hitchcock is pure talented director of history of film-making. This film seemed a bit boring at first (I though Oh no what has AH done), but once the boy got kidnapped it began to be chilling & fighting and there from the people they just met on their holidays that kidnapped their son. The film is a great remade of A.H on original film and takes terror and mystery to a new level in the middle/late 50's films and the genre and element of Adventure, Mystery, and Thriller is perfect in this film (The film 1934 version was the work of a talented amateur, the 1956 version the work of a professional) & (A Chilling climactic moments in London's famous royal Albert Hall).

The movie was made on a budget of 1,200,000 and had grossed worldwide at the box office $55,685,088 (which is very good in the 50's) & has grossed more on VHS & DVD sales and rentals. The film was overwhelming positive review by the critics, audience & A.H fans alike worldwide, the movie was distributed by Paramount Pictures 1956-1983 and Universal taken all Alfred Hitchcock film form 1983-still now. The Song "Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)" is a cheerful well singed song in the movie and I love, also was won the Oscar for best music, original song.

The cast line-up is excellent and outstanding and one of their good dramatic performances in their careers, the acting is brilliant by; Christopher Olsen, Doris Day & Legend James Stewart with amazing singing and acting talents. The film is jumpy, but has great effects and action go a 1955/1956 film.

Overall the film has very good entertaining moments, also having good clever mystery and suspense though-out the film. It's different worth a watch, as I didn't get the film at first, but it all came tighter at the end soo in the end I enjoy it and got what the film was about a goof Alfred Hitchcock film different for adults, older people and A.H fans. The American family wins and get there boy back and it's a happy ending after all. The film speaks terror and dose it well A.H remade his own original film and really did well legend that he is it's a tans full film.