# North by Northwest

> 1959 film by Alfred Hitchcock

**Wikidata**: [Q223139](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223139)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_by_Northwest)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/north-by-northwest

## Summary

North by Northwest is a 1959 spy thriller film directed by British filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock and starring British-American actor Cary Grant. The film was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and has become one of the most celebrated entries in the thriller and spy film genres, recognized for its innovative storytelling, iconic sequences, and enduring cultural influence.

## Key Facts

- **Title**: North by Northwest
- **Director**: Alfred Hitchcock (British filmmaker, 1899–1980)
- **Lead Actor**: Cary Grant (British-American actor, 1904–1986)
- **Production Company**: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (American film and television distribution company, founded April 17, 1924)
- **Release Year**: 1959
- **Publication Dates**: Multiple releases in 1959 including July 17, December 18, September 17, July 1, August 6, September 11, and an undated release
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Genres**: Crime film, thriller film, mystery film, spy film, action film, adventure film, drama film
- **Awards**: National Board of Review Top Ten Films
- **Preservation**: Selected for the National Film Registry (United States Library of Congress, selection began 1988)
- **Sitelink Count**: 58
- **Wikidata Description**: 1959 film by Alfred Hitchcock

## FAQs

**What studio produced North by Northwest?**
North by Northwest was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, commonly known as MGM, an American film and television production and distribution company founded on April 17, 1924, headquartered in the United States.

**Who directed and starred in North by Northwest?**
The film was directed by Alfred Hitchcock, a British filmmaker born in 1899 and died in 1980, known for his work in the thriller genre. It starred Cary Grant, a British-American actor born in 1904 and died in 1986, who appeared in numerous acclaimed films throughout his career.

**What genres does North by Northwest belong to?**
North by Northwest spans multiple film genres including crime film, thriller film, mystery film, spy film, action film, adventure film, and drama film, making it a versatile entry in cinematic history.

**Has North by Northwest received any awards or recognition?**
Yes, North by Northwest was recognized as one of the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films. Additionally, it has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, which is administered by the Library of Congress and began selections in 1988.

**Where was North by Northwest filmed?**
The film was produced in the United States, though specific filming locations are not detailed in the source material.

## Why It Matters

North by Northwest matters as a landmark achievement in the thriller and spy film genres that helped define the conventions of both categories. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, widely regarded as one of cinema's most influential filmmakers, the film represents the apex of his American career and showcases his mastery of suspense, visual storytelling, and audience manipulation. The collaboration between Hitchcock and Cary Grant produced what many film historians consider one of the perfect pairings of director and star in cinematic history.

The film's significance extends beyond entertainment—it demonstrated that spy thrillers could be both intellectually engaging and commercially successful, paving the way for the countless spy films that followed. Its innovative sequences and narrative techniques have been studied, emulated, and referenced throughout cinema history. The recognition by the National Board of Review and subsequent preservation in the National Film Registry underscore its lasting cultural and historical importance, ensuring its place in the American film canon for future generations.

## Notable For

- Being one of Alfred Hitchcock's most acclaimed and influential films
- Starring Cary Grant in what is widely considered one of his finest performances
- Achieving recognition as a National Board of Review Top Ten Film
- Being selected for preservation in the National Film Registry
- Representing multiple film genres simultaneously (crime, thriller, mystery, spy, action, adventure, drama)
- Demonstrating Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's production excellence in 1959
- Holding a significant sitelink count of 58, indicating substantial digital presence and relevance

## Body

### Production and Studio

North by Northwest was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, one of the most prominent American film studios of the golden age of cinema. MGM was founded on April 17, 1924, and became known for producing high-quality films across various genres. The studio's involvement brought significant resources and distribution capabilities to the project, ensuring wide theatrical release with multiple publication dates in 1959 including releases on July 17, December 18, September 17, July 1, August 6, and September 11, with additional undated releases. The studio's headquarters were located in the United States, and the company operated primarily in the film and television industry.

### Key Personnel

**Alfred Hitchcock** served as director of North by Northwest. Born in 1899 and passing away in 1980, Hitchcock was a British filmmaker who became a naturalized American citizen. His occupation spanned multiple roles including director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He is widely considered one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema, particularly known for his mastery of the thriller genre. Hitchcock held citizenship in both Britain and the United States, with additional citizenship in Canada.

**Cary Grant** starred as the lead actor in the film. Born in 1904 and dying in 1986, Grant was a British-American actor whose career spanned several decades. His occupations included film acting, theater acting, and various other performance roles. Grant held dual citizenship in the United States and Britain, reflecting his transatlantic career and life. He appeared in numerous acclaimed films and became synonymous with sophisticated screen presence and comedic timing, though North by Northwest showcased his ability to handle suspense and dramatic material equally effectively.

### Genre Classification and Film Type

North by Northwest belongs to an exceptional range of film genres, demonstrating its versatility and broad appeal. As a **crime film**, it follows conventions of the genre involving criminal activities and investigations. As a **thriller film**, it masterfully evokes excitement and suspense in the audience through Hitchcock's expert pacing and reveals. As a **mystery film**, it functions as a sub-genre of crime that incorporates elements of suspense and the unknown. As a **spy film**, it centers on themes of espionage, international intrigue, and secret agents. As an **action film**, it contains sequences of physical activity and adventure. As an **adventure film**, it follows protagonists through exciting journeys and dangerous situations. As a **drama film**, it explores serious human experiences and emotional narratives.

### Awards and Recognition

The film received significant recognition from the National Board of Review, which named North by Northwest one of its Top Ten Films. The National Board of Review is an American organization dedicated to film appreciation, founded in 1929 and based in the United States. This recognition placed the film among the most critically acclaimed releases of 1959.

### Preservation and Cultural Legacy

North by Northwest has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry, a prestigious collection of films chosen by the United States Library of Congress for their cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. The National Film Registry was established in 1988 and represents the United States' commitment to preserving its cinematic heritage. Selection to the registry ensures that the film will be preserved for future generations and is considered a significant honor acknowledging the film's lasting importance to American culture.

### Release and Distribution

The film saw multiple releases throughout 1959, indicating either wide distribution, re-releases, or different versions being shown in various markets. The publication dates spanning from July through December 1959 suggest a major theatrical release campaign by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film's country of origin is the United States, and it was primarily distributed within the American market although its influence extended internationally.

### Digital Presence and Metadata

North by Northwest maintains substantial digital presence with a sitelink count of 58, indicating significant representation across digital platforms and wikimedia projects. The official Wikipedia title matches the film's title, and the Wikidata description simply identifies it as "1959 film by Alfred Hitchcock," though the source material provides extensive additional classification and relationship data.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053125/)
2. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/polnoc-polnocny-zachod)
3. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film351704.html)
4. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=531.html)
5. [Source](http://decine21.com/peliculas/con-la-muerte-en-los-talones-3019)
6. [Source](https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/10-great-spy-films)
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053125/fullcredits)
8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. The Movie Database
10. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
11. North by Northwest. Rotten Tomatoes
12. IMDb
13. Freebase Data Dumps
14. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053125/releaseinfo)
15. Lexicon of international films
16. Kinopoisk
17. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/north-by-northwest/)
18. AlloCiné
19. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
20. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2009&s_month=12&e_year=2009&e_month=12&pageID=2)
21. film distribution certificate
22. Online-Filmdatenbank
23. Quora
24. Bechdel Test Movie List
25. mymovies.it
26. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/6F97-0EA5-B406-1B29-4C38-K)
27. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/79349)
28. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/North_by_Northwest-KNW88)
29. TheTVDB
30. Trakt.tv
31. FilmVandaag.nl