The Man Who Knew Too Much

Movie Review: The Man Who Knew Too Much

Year of Release: 1956
Country of Origin: USA
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: James Stewart, Doris Day

Plot outline: A family vacationing in Morocco accidentally stumbles on to an assassination plot and the conspirators are determined to prevent them from interfering by kidnapping their son (IMDb).

This movie is a remake of Hitchcock's own movie of the same name released in 1934. The two movies are very different in tone, setting and many plot details: the first version opens in St. Moritz, Switzerland, the second version in Morocco; the earlier version climaxes in a siege and shootout in London's East End, the later version during a concert at the Royal Albert Hall; and the kidnapped daughter in the 1934 version becomes a son in the 1956 version. Some people think the earlier version is superior, but Hitchcock himself considers the 1934 version was the work of a talented amateur, while the 1956 version the work of a professional. In my opinion, they are both excellent movies with a lot of strong points. Which one you prefer is mostly a matter of taste ... watch both if you have the chance. In this remake Hitchcock casts Hollywood's big names: James Stewart and Doris Day. He makes certain sequences longer (some people might feel that he drags them out), e.g. the opening sequence between Stewart, Day and their son (Christopher Olsen) - it allows you to get to know the family better, it also sets you up for the second and third acts; the climax sequence at the Royal Albert Hall - it builds the tension up slowly and by the end the suspense is gloriously unbearable. He also uses more lavish settings and better cinematography. Stewart throws himself vigorously into his role (as always). He conveys all the courage, conviction and heartbreak of a father who lost his child and would do anything to get him back. Day is very believable in her role. Her two best scenes are: 1) when Stewart gives her a sedative before telling her that their son has been kidnapped; they play off each other beautifully, especially her as she shows different emotions at once, 2) during the climax sequence at the Royal Albert Hall where she once again shows her conflicting emotions. Brenda De Banzie, Bernard Miles and Daniel Gélin do a great job in portraying their characters. Reggie Nalder is brilliant as the assassin ... his effusive portrayal radiates evil. Music plays an important part in this movie. Several times in the movie, Day sings "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" which won an Oscar for Best Song, beating out "True Love" from High Society. During the climax sequence at the Royal Albert Hall, composer Bernard Herrmann, who writes so many great scores for Hitchcock's movies, can be seen conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, playing Arthur Benjamin's cantata of Storm Clouds from the 1934 version. The sequence runs 12 minutes without any dialogue (!), from the beginning to the climax when Day's character screams. Hitchcock beautifully brings us back to silent movie (!) ... the ultimate expression of his belief that movies should be stories told visually. As all of Hitchcock's movies are in my favourite list, this movie is definitely one of my personal favourites.

My judgement: *** out of 4 stars