Foreign Correspondent

Foreign Correspondent (1940)

  • 93% of critics liked it
    (29 reviews)

  • 78% of users liked it
    (6,423 ratings)

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 Foreign Correspondent. What emerged was approximately 2 parts Sheehan and 8 parts director Alfred… More

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In Theaters
Jan 1, 1940 Wide
Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 consequence as the liveliest imagination could conceive.

  • Geoff Andrew, Time Out

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

  • Wesley Lovell, Cinema Sight

    A showcase of early Hitchcock suspense.

Read all 15 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Chris W


    It's fascinating watching war time dramas made during that particular war time, especially when it's from the 40s. Hitchcock once again delivers with this thrilling war story about an American journalist on assignment in Europe who stumbles upon a scoop that could really… More

  • Pierluigi P


    If it wasn't for the corny propaganda... But anyway a great little thiller with some impressive set pieces. Hitchcock didn't need an overly constructed plot to make it work, injecting his finesse and humour at every step. Current action/adventure filmmakers should take note… More

  • Devon B


    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… More

  • Melvin W


    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… More

  • Graham J


    A really entertaining film. Hitchcock blends comedy and suspense along with amazing sets to create his masterpiece propaganda film.

Read all 14 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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