Foreign Correspondent (1940)

Featured Audience Ratings

• First L

  
  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
  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 Europe if not a crime?). Jones fits the image of the loud-mouthed American to a tee, sticking his foot into it at every wrong opportunity, but, having been a crime reporter, he knows a frame up when he sees one. Arriving in Europe, he first attends a luncheon for the Dutch diplomat Van Meer (Albert Bassermann), who is to give a speech for the Universal Peace Party (which is headed by a man named Fisher and his daughter, Carol). Later, when Van Meer is very publicly shot, Jones and the daughter team up with fellow reporter ffoliott (George Sanders) to chase down the assassin. There are some very suspenseful set pieces in the film, one of which takes place in a windmill, and another onboard a transcontinental flight. Both could be considered Hitchcock's 'signature' on the film, they are unmistakeably 'Hitchcockian'. However, it's the performances in the film, with McCrea's brashness and Sanders' suaveness, and even the scene-stealing performance of Edmund Gwenn (Kris Kringle from "Miracle on 34th Street") as a dangerous hitman, that make this film really great. All the espionage is wrapped up with a rousing call to defend the last bastion of liberty as the world pulls inexorably towards self-destruction. Every element of this film is masterfully done, and it is so much more than just a suspense film, the only way it could've lost the academy award in 1941 was to another Hitchcock film released the same year (that being "Rebecca"). If I had one complaint, it's that Alfred Newman's film score doesn't always jibe with what's taking place onscreen. It's a small complaint for a great film.

• 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
  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 lesser Hitchcock, it is still a Hitchcock film, so you know it is going to be an above average thriller. I had a lot of fun watching this for the most part, although the movie would drag at times. It isn't as well made as other Hitchcock movies, it isn't as interesting as other Hitchcock movies, it isn't Vertigo or Rear Window, but it is a solid political thriller from the Master.  A reporter is sent to Europe to cover the prewar goings on. He sees an assassination an follows the man who did it to a old mill. There he sees that the man who was thought to be killed is really still alive and that there is a lot more going on then he initially suspected. From there, the plot takes twists and turns and it is hard to know who is good and who is bad. The constant reexaminations of the characters keep things interesting for the two hour runtime. As much as I loved the movie, when watching a Hitchcock movie it is hard to not compare it to his many masterpieces. If you go in expecting a movie that is going to be as good as Psycho or North by Northwest, you will be disappointed. If you are just a big Hitchcock fan like me, then it will be well worth the effort to track down and watch.

• Graham J

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

• AJ V

  
  A little long, but a great war movie from Hitchcock. It's really exciting and thrilling, I highly recommend it.

• Conner R

  
  An interesting pre-WWII adventure/thriller from Hitchcock. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s still a fun movie that is a cut above others like it. Joel McCrea is a decent enough lead, but isn’t exactly exploding with charisma. However, George Sanders and Laraine Day are very… More
  An interesting pre-WWII adventure/thriller from Hitchcock. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s still a fun movie that is a cut above others like it. Joel McCrea is a decent enough lead, but isn’t exactly exploding with charisma. However, George Sanders and Laraine Day are very entertaining to even things out. It’s mostly the sabotage plot that keeps you entertained. There’s a lot of great looking sets and offbeat comedy, I always find the bodyguard/hitman aspect hilarious. Not one of the best Hitchcock experiences, but you could certainly do worse.

• Stella D

  
  it may be considered a minor hitchcock, overshadowed by the release of rebecca in the same year, but this spy thriller set on the brink of world war 2 is great fun. joel mcrea and laraine day are so damn likeable and george sanders and robert benchley are always a plus in my opinion.… More
  it may be considered a minor hitchcock, overshadowed by the release of rebecca in the same year, but this spy thriller set on the brink of world war 2 is great fun. joel mcrea and laraine day are so damn likeable and george sanders and robert benchley are always a plus in my opinion. star spangled banner at the end is a bit much tho :p

• Ken S

  
  Quintessential Hitchcock. Who knew windmills could be so cool

• Matthew Y

  
  With memorable sets, events and scenes Foreign Correspondent stands tall as one of Hitchcock's very best. The classic stairs shooting, the windmill scene and a more grim ending than audiences were used to the film was a rousing success and remains a borderline classic to this… More
  With memorable sets, events and scenes Foreign Correspondent stands tall as one of Hitchcock's very best. The classic stairs shooting, the windmill scene and a more grim ending than audiences were used to the film was a rousing success and remains a borderline classic to this day. Overshadowed by Hitchock's other 1940 film Rebecca almong with an onslaught of memorably and beloved thrillers over the next two decades, Correspondent has become a bit obscured in the Hitchcock canon of films. If not on the same level as Hitchcock's greats it is still a film well worth checking out.

• Andrew F

  
  Hitchcock's thriller is a twisted, crazy spy thriller. Recommended.

• Doctor S

  
  A letdown from the Master, especially considering this film was the highest-regarded Hitch I had not yet seen. Leonard Maltin plugs it with 4 out of 4 stars, but there is nowhere near the suspense of his other classics. Pretty simply, the problem is Joel McCrea, a mediocre actor… More
  A letdown from the Master, especially considering this film was the highest-regarded Hitch I had not yet seen. Leonard Maltin plugs it with 4 out of 4 stars, but there is nowhere near the suspense of his other classics. Pretty simply, the problem is Joel McCrea, a mediocre actor whose flippant attitude and awkward line readings dissolve much of the tension. The excellent, droll work of supporting players like George Sanders and Robert Benchley make McCrea's shortcomings all the more glaring. If only Hitch could've convinced Gary Cooper, who turned down the lead saying the movie was "just a thriller" during an era of film before Hitch himself had elevated the genre.

• cody f

  
  Not one of Hitch's best. His last British film has a great cast and looks wonderful. It's about a New York reporter (McCrea) who is sent to London to discover how the peace talks between England and Germany is going. He discovers a sinister plot to ruin the talks and speed… More
  Not one of Hitch's best. His last British film has a great cast and looks wonderful. It's about a New York reporter (McCrea) who is sent to London to discover how the peace talks between England and Germany is going. He discovers a sinister plot to ruin the talks and speed up the war. It's a great plot that is ruined by a forced love story and is about 20 minutes too long. There are some inventive "Hitchcock" shots and great special effects that still look flawless. Good acting all around, but George Sanders steals every scene he is in. McCrea is good,but he falls in love too quick and his character changes from a hard nose investigator to a lost love puppy pretty quick. If you are a Hitchcock fan then is it worth a watch, but fails in comparison to 39 Steps and North By Northwest.

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