Nazis! Uranium! Hitchcock! While the major themes and names in the film may not strike terror into the hearts of modern audiences, there is something timeless about this classic Hitchcock film. Alicia (Bergman) is the daughter of a convicted Nazi. She drinks a lot, has many male admirers, and has no sympathy for her father, or his cause. This causes her to meet Devlin (Grant), an American agent, who needs her help. She is to use her particular "skills" to infiltrate the underground Nazi plot in South America, led by her former love interest Alex Sebastian (Rains). Like all other Hitchcock films, the plans of these Nazis are not important...more important is the twisted love story (love triangle) and the amazing camera angles.
To deal with the first, prior to going to South America, Alicia falls in love with Devlin (and potentially vice-versa)...as can be illustrated through the longest kiss ever recorded. They have an interesting relationship, since he must help her "fall in love with Sebastian". When she begins seeing Sebastian, Devlin begins reacting. The man Alicia loves doesn't trust her, and the man that trusts her shouldn't. Also, thwarting Alicia at every turn is Sebastian's domineering mother (Leopoldine Konstantin). The only other main character is Captain Prescott (Louis Calhern), who is Devlin & Alicia's boss.
One of the best things about this film are the amazing shots...pay close attention to the beginning of the party at Sebastians: you start by panning down the stairs, focus on Sebastian & Alicia, and slowly zoom in on Alicia's hand and the key that is inside. It's AWESOME! Of course, that is just one...but I'll let you find the others on your own. Technically, the final scene is the best, and most memorable. I love this film...
Dude, it's quotable: the dialogue is fascinating:-)
Rent it multiple times: it's impossible to completely understand this film after only one viewing...as it is with any Hitchcock film. tis a beautiful thing
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Ingrid Bergman as Alicia
Cary Grant as Devlin
Claude Rains as Sebastian
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