Notorious

( 20 )

Editorial Reviews

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One of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest films, Notorious features the director at his devilishly elegant, self-assured best. A visual masterpiece, it plays like a seamlessly assembled jigsaw puzzle, in which each piece fits together with clean precision. The film's smooth veneer largely creates its visceral impact: lurking beneath the gloss are dealings of the most grotesque sort, their execution made all the more insidious by their sophisticated guise. Aside from containing one of ...
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More About This Product

Special Features

Closed Caption; 2 commentaries with film professors Rick Jewell and Drew Casper; The Ultimate Romance: The Making of Notorious featurette; Alfred Hitchcock: The Ultimate Spymaster featurette; The American Film Institute Award: The Key to Hitchcock featurette; 1948 radio play starring Joseph Cotten and Ingrid Bergman; Hitchcock interviews: audio interviews with Peter Bogdanovich and François Truffaut; Restoration comparison; Isolated music and effects track; Originak theatrical trailer; Still galleries
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide
One of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest films, Notorious features the director at his devilishly elegant, self-assured best. A visual masterpiece, it plays like a seamlessly assembled jigsaw puzzle, in which each piece fits together with clean precision. The film's smooth veneer largely creates its visceral impact: lurking beneath the gloss are dealings of the most grotesque sort, their execution made all the more insidious by their sophisticated guise. Aside from containing one of Hitchcock's most famous MacGuffins, the uranium ore, Notorious boasts some of his most famous camerawork, most notably the gorgeous tracking shot during Sebastian's party that takes the viewer from the top of a staircase to Alicia's hand, clenched around the key that will lead her to the uranium ore. The camera moves with the quiet intimacy of an unobserved party guest, almost serpentine in its journey. Similarly ingenious is Hitchcock's use of point-of-view shots, particularly that of Alicia's waking up with a hangover and watching Devlin walk towards her as the camera spins 180 degrees. Seeing through Alicia's eyes, the audience sympathizes with her, making the character one of Hitchcock's most full-blooded and enduring heroines. It goes without saying that the success of Alicia's characterization is in no small part due to Ingrid Bergman's performance: tragic, lovelorn, and marked by logical cynicism, her portrayal of Alicia was one of the best of Bergman's career. She was ably supported by Cary Grant and Claude Rains, the former going against his likeable, effortlessly charismatic persona to play an initially charmless man with morals as questionable as the heroine's are supposed to be. Rains, paired with Bergman again after Casablanca, makes Sebastian into one of the film's more sympathetic characters; it is a mark of Rains' ability that when Sebastian turns to climb the stairs in the film's closing scene, we feel real terror for him. That Sebastian's fate is the result of both his own manipulations of others and his heart's manipulations of himself is at the center of the film's true MacGuffin: masquerading as a Cold War thriller, Notorious is one of the screen's classic black romances. Rebecca Flint
All Movie Guide
One of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest films, Notorious features the director at his devilishly elegant, self-assured best. A visual masterpiece, it plays like a seamlessly assembled jigsaw puzzle, in which each piece fits together with clean precision. The film's smooth veneer largely creates its visceral impact; lurking beneath the gloss are dealings of the most grotesque sort, their execution made all the more insidious by their sophisticated guise. Aside from containing one of Hitchcock's most famous MacGuffins, the uranium ore, Notorious boasts some of his most famous camerawork, most notably the gorgeous tracking shot during Sebastian's party that takes the viewer from the top of a staircase to Alicia's hand, clenched around the key that will lead her to the uranium ore. The camera moves with the quiet intimacy of an unobserved party guest, almost serpentine in its journey. Similarly ingenious is Hitchcock's use of point-of-view shots, particularly that of Alicia's waking up with a hangover and watching Devlin walk toward her as the camera spins 180 degrees. Seeing through Alicia's eyes, the audience sympathizes with her, making the character one of Hitchcock's most full-blooded and enduring heroines. It goes without saying that the success of Alicia's characterization is in no small part due to Ingrid Bergman's performance; tragic, lovelorn, and marked by logical cynicism, her portrayal of Alicia was one of the best of Bergman's career. She was ably supported by Cary Grant and Claude Rains, the former going against his likeable, effortlessly charismatic persona to play an initially charmless man with morals as questionable as the heroine's are supposed to be. Rains, paired with Bergman again after Casablanca, makes Sebastian into one of the film's more sympathetic characters; it is a mark of Rains' ability that when Sebastian turns to climb the stairs in the film's closing scene, we feel real terror for him. That Sebastian's fate is the result of both his own manipulations of others and his heart's manipulations of himself is at the center of the film's true MacGuffin: masquerading as a Cold War thriller, Notorious is one of the screen's classic black romances.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 10/14/2008
  • UPC: 883904109877
  • Original Release: 1946

    • Rating:

  • Source: Mgm (Video & Dvd)
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Restored / Subtitled / Pan & Scan
  • Time: 1:42:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 2,804

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Cary Grant Devlin, T.R. Devlin
Ingrid Bergman Alicia Huberman
Claude Rains Alexander Sebastian
Louis Calhern Paul Prescott
Leopoldine Konstantin Madame Sebastian
Moroni Olsen Walter Beardsley
Reinhold Schünzel Dr. Anderson
Ivan Triesault Eric Mathis
Alexis Minotis Joseph
Wally Brown Mr. Hopkins
Charles Mendl Commodore
Ricardo Costa Dr. Barbosa
Eberhard Krumschmidt Hupka
Fay Baker Ethel
Bea Benaderet Clerk
Charles D. Brown Judge
Eddie Bruce Reporter
Paul Bryar
Aileen Carlyle Woman at Party
Beulah Christian
Richard Clark Man
Tom Coleman Court Stenographer
Alfredo De Sa Ribero
Lester Dorr Motorcycle Police
Ben Erway Reporter
Almeda Fowler Woman
Gavin Gordon Ernest Weylin
Virginia Gregg Clerk
Harry Hayden Defense Counsel
Warren Jackson District Attorney
Donald Kerr Reporter
Frederick Ledebur Knerr
James Logan Reporter
Leota Lorraine Woman
George Lynn Photographer
Frank Marlowe Photographer
Francis McDonald Man
Tina Menard Maid
Howard Mitchell Bailiff
Antonio Moreno Senor Ortiza
Sandra Morgan
Howard Negley Photographer
Fred Nurney Huberman
Garry Owen Motorcycle Police
Dink Trout Clerk at Court
Emmett Vogan Reporter
John Vosper
Alan Ward Reporter
Lillian West Woman
Frank Wilcox FBI Man
Herbert Wyndham Mr. Cook
Peter Von Zerneck Rossner
Technical Credits
Alfred Hitchcock Director, Original Story, Producer
Constantin Bakaleinikoff Musical Direction/Supervision
Ben Hecht Screenwriter
Claude E. Carpenter Set Decoration/Design
Carroll Clark Art Director
Albert S. D'Agostino Art Director
William Dorfman Asst. Director
Paul Eagler Special Effects
Edith Head Costumes/Costume Designer
Terry Kellum Sound/Sound Designer
Clem Portman Sound/Sound Designer
Darrell Silvera Set Decoration/Design
Ted Tetzlaff Cinematographer
Gregg Toland Cinematographer
John E. Tribby Sound/Sound Designer
Vernon Walker Special Effects
Theron Warth Editor
Roy Webb Score Composer
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Notorious
1. Main Titles [1:21]
2. A Marked Woman [3:19]
3. Going for a Ride [6:01]
4. Leave Me Alone [5:46]
5. Rio [5:14]
6. The Perfect Type [1:21]
7. Important Work to Do [4:44]
8. Mata Hari [5:26]
9. An Old Friend [5:33]
10. Guest of Honor [4:27]
11. Dinner Is Served [3:12]
12. New Playmate [4:31]
13. A Very Romantic Fellow [4:12]
14. Opening Doors [5:52]
15. Watched Like a Hawk [6:25]
16. Running Out of Champagne [3:07]
17. Like an Idiot [3:30]
18. On a Leash [5:52]
19. Back to the Bottle [2:48]
20. A Cup of Coffee [2:24]
21. Just a Social Call [4:46]
22. You Love Me [3:11]
23. The Chance to Die [4:34]
24. End Titles [3:27]
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Menu

Disc #1 -- Notorious
   Play Movie
   Scene Selection
   Special Features
      Commentary With Film Professor Rick Jewell: On/Off
      Commentary With Film Professor Drew Casper: On/Off
      Isolated Music and Effects Track: On/Off
      The Ultimate Romance: The Making of Notorious
      Alfred Hitchcock: The Ultimate Spymaster
      The American Film Institute Award: The Key to Hitchcock
      1948 Radio Play Starring Joseph Cotten and Ingrid Bergman
         Play Recording
      Hitchcock Interviews
         Peter Bogdanovich Interviews Hitchcock
         François Truffaut Interviews Hitchcock
      Restoration Comparison
         Play Comparison
      Theatrical Trailer
      Still Galleries
         Behind the Scenes
         Portraits
         Posters
   Language Selection
      Audio
         English Mono
         Commentary With Film Professor Rick Jewell
         Commentary With Film Professor Drew Casper
         Isolated Music and Effects Track
      Subtitles
         English
         Spanish
         French
         None
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 20 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(14)

4 Star

(3)

3 Star

(3)

2 Star

(0)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Another great Hitchcock film!

    Hitchcock did it again with this one! It is very suspenseful, keeps you on the edge of your seat. It has great romance in it also. The chemistry between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman is wonderful. They have a great love/hate relationship in this movie, yet you can tell that the characters truly love each other. I recommend this movie to anyone who loves a good exciting suspense movie with a great love story mixed in.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    This isn't Psycho, But that doesn't mean it isn't any good or suspenseful...

    Unlike one reviewer, this isn't meant to be scary like Psycho but to be suspenseful like say North by Northwest. It is so good and given the circumstances plausible. It is also very romantic unlike alot of movies today that equate romance with nude scenes that often come across as sterile not romantic or sensual this does it with the clothes on ! One of the best scenes is Carey Grant carrying Ingrid Bergman down the stairs at the end , so don't miss it !!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 16, 2001

    You have to see this one!

    This fantastic Hitchcock film stars Ingrid Bergman as a spy who has to infiltrate an enemy spy ring and expose them. Cary Grant plays the U.S. agent assigned to watch over her. This is a great film with excellent performances from its lead actors. It also features some very suspenseful scenes and a few memorable romantic scenes between Grant and Bergman. Also stars Claude Rains and Madame Konstantin.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    North by Northwest
    Vertigo

    It doesn't get much better than this!

    I could watch it over and over (and I have!). This movie is visually captivating. The eye Hitchcock had for shooting a scene brings to life the old adage, "A picture is worth a thousand words". The camera brings to us either something it wants us to notice, or watching the actors convey feelings and emotions without saying a word. Bergman and Grant have a smoldering passion on the verge of igniting. Grant is an agent trying to recruit Bergman, whose father was just convicted of being a double-agent, to work on a case in Brazil to infiltrate a ring of German spies led by a man who she has a past with. This movie really keeps the tension going right up to the climactic end.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Key Largo

    If you love classic moives this one is for you. One of the all time best directors, (Alfred Hitchcock) great casting (Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Louis Calhern). Suspense Thriller set during WW II. A must have for the serious collector.

    A suspense Thriller set during WW II. Ingrid Bergman plays the daughter of a convicted Nazi sympathizer who has more love for her country (USA) than for her father. Cary Grant plays the government agent who recruits a reluctant Ingrid to spy on suspected Nazi spy, Claude Rains. The two main charachters are falling in love (Ingrid & Cary) but Cary's job come first so he must hide his emotions. The movie is a classic Hitchcock movie you cannot help but feel the emotions of the players on the screen. Claude rains does such a good job as the evil spy. The ending will have you on the edge of your seat.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    To Catch a Thief

    Alfred Hitchcock at his best

    Drama, suspense and the twist in the tale from the master.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Ultra-Realist

    Notorious is a dry movie. This does not mean it is not a good movie. Hitchcock usually uses the wrong man theory in his films, but in this one, there is an enemy. We know who is bad, but he leaves us in suspense in how the bad guy will get caught. He also leaves chance of how the good guys will not succeed. With Hitchcock, you never know what will happen. There is much drama, or as Hitchcock would call it, melodrama, in this film. This is a story that could have been true, but the the realism is extended. The facts get made extreme. The melodrama allows us to still be able to relate to the film. This is a good film that one should not miss, but again, it is not his best.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    not so good

    This is not one of the best movies that Alfred Hitchcock did .And it did not have any horror stuff in it.

    0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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    Posted February 4, 2009

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    Posted December 6, 2010

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    Posted August 2, 2009

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    Posted October 30, 2008

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    Posted August 25, 2009

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    Posted January 29, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

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    Posted December 16, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

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    Posted June 7, 2009

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    Posted February 10, 2010

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    Posted July 25, 2009

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    Posted July 23, 2009

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 7, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 20 Customer Reviews