The Man Who Knew Too Much

A family vacationing in Morocco accidentally stumble on to an assassination plot and the conspirators are determined to prevent them from interfering.

Hitchcock's mastery of suspense is widely appreciated and his genius often referenced by countless film-makers, both past and present. For me, The Man Who Knew Too Much doesn't quite match his best work, but still showcases all the trademarks that make him such a revered figure in cinema to this day.

This was the second time that the acclaimed director had brought this story to the screen, the first being in 1934. It was by no means a straight remake of his first interpretation and the differences are many, with some aspects updated, others changed completely. Even the narrative itself is markedly altered, though the broad strokes of the plot remain intact.

As is the case here, the collaborations between Hitchcock and Jimmy Stewart are numerous and generally very successful. The director liked to use him so much due to Stewart's demeanour, embodying the average Joe and enabling audiences to put themselves in his characters' shoes much more easily. It's a feature that works especially well in this particular picture, though the archetype has evolved somewhat over the years since its production and he can sometimes come off a little gruff.

The choice of Doris Day for the female lead caused some concern at the time, as she was never a name that was associated with dramatic roles. It's a shame in some ways that she was so closely aligned with musicals due to her vocal talents, as her work in the film is excellent, particularly in the more emotional scenes, which showed her to be a quite capable actress when the situation called for it. There are also one or two scenes with songs shoehorned in, but they are done tastefully and fit with her role as a retired star of the stage.

The famous Royal Albert Hall scene is where the film reaches its peak and it has stood the test of time well. The tension remains intact and the desperation of Stewart's Dr. McKenna is palpable. The combination of the score (which Bernard Herrmann opted not to change from the first iteration, though he was given the choice) and precise, effective editing make it easy to see why it is considered such a classic.

The Verdict:

7/10
Yet another Hitchcock picture that is high on suspense and intrigue. Doris Day impresses in one of her few dramatic roles and is matched by Jimmy Stewart's usual finesse.