North by Northwest – 4K UHD Blu-ray Review
Commissions Earned
Film Title: North by Northwest (1959)
Release Date: 2024
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 136 minutes
Region Coding: Region Free
Distributor: Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment
Audio Formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA Mono
High Dynamic Range: HDR10
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Version Reviewed: 4K UHD Blu-ray
Release Date: 11/19/24
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jessie Royce Landis, Leo G. Carroll, Josephine Hutchinson, Philip Ober, Martin Landau, Adam Williams, Robert Ellenstein
Jump to Sections:
Movie | Video | Audio | Bonus | Closing | Screenshots
Full 4K Tech Specs found at the bottom
click to view a 4K Screenshot
The Movie
“North by Northwest” was a 1959 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock was best known for also directing the films “Rope” (1948), “Strangers on a Train” (1951), “Dial M for Murder” (1954), “Rear Window” (1954), “To Catch a Thief” (1955), “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1956), “Vertigo” (1958), “Psycho” (1960), and “The Birds” (1963).
Ernest Lehman wrote the screenplay. He is best known for also writing the screenplays to the films “Sweet Smell of Success” (1957), “West Side Story” (1961), “The Sound of Music” (1965), “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966),“Hello, Dolly!” (1969), and “Family Plot” (1976).
The story involves an advertising executive named “Roger Thornhill” (Cary Grant). He ends up caught in a case of mistaken identity. The situation goes way too far. How far is too far? Let’s just say Thornhill ends up kidnapped. While kidnapped, he meets some mysterious people. These include “Phillip Vandamn” (James Mason) and a beautiful young lady named “Eve Kendall” (Eva Marie Saint). He manages to get free but ends up being arrested. But no fear, he has mother to call. What’s the most bizarre is that everyone Roger meets believes he is a man named “George Kaplan.” They think he is the man Vandamn and his henchmen had mentioned and mistook him for.
Roger Thornhill will end up in one serious mess, and it’s all thanks to the original case of mistaken identity. However, he just might manage to find a way to make some sense of this whole situation. He could also figure out what to do. You’ll just have to watch and find out. “North by Northwest” has its fair shares of comedy, romance, action, and suspense.
Movie Rating: 5 (out of 5)
click to view a 4K Screenshot
Video Quality
“North by Northwest” on 4K UHD Blu-ray is presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio with HDR10 form of high dynamic range. This was shot on 35mm film using Mitchell VistaVision cameras. The movie utilized a cinematographic process known as VistaVision.
Next, let me get technical, concerning the 4K UHD Blu-ray Disc itself here. This release uses a BD-100 (100 gigabytes) disc, 91.84 gigabytes total, and 70.3 gigabytes itself for the film. Looking back on it, the 2009 Blu-ray Disc release of the film used 43.8 gigabytes in total. And out of that, it used 31.9 gigabytes itself for the film (in HD). So, this 4K version is roughly 2.2 times larger of a file than the HD version. Based on my observations via my 4K UHD Blu-ray player, this seems to peak at around 98.7 Mbps. It then runs roughly around 64.0 Mbps and dips down as low as 47.6 Mbps. According to info on the PC side, this seems to have an overall video bitrate of 62.8 Mb/s average.
Next, I want to visually compare the original Blu-ray and the 4K UHD Blu-ray. I’ll show you the screenshots for both the 2009 Blu-ray and the new 2024 4K UHD Blu-ray releases. For those who want to see more Blu-ray VS. 4K screenshots, click the text below.
Blu-ray VS. 4K Screenshots Comparison:
SOURCES: 2009 Blu-ray (left), 2024 4K UHD Blu-ray (right)
So, the first thing you are going to notice from the screenshots comparison above, is that the original Blu-ray was presented in a different (incorrect 1.78:1) aspect ratio. While the new 4K is presented in the intended 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The matte framing of that aspect ratio includes tiny black bars at the top and bottom. This framing actually makes a huge difference.
Secondly, you’re going to notice something else major. The color timing has changed now on 4K to a more bright and realistic neutral tone. The original Blu-ray felt darker and a bit too warm. The black level now, especially with the addition of a high dynamic range, is absolutely solid. The flesh tones appear much more accurate now, thanks to the color timing changes and the addition of HDR. And, undeniably, you’re going to notice there’s a newfound amount of detail here now [in 4K] in every single shot.
Lastly, there’s an excellent amount of film grain to be found here throughout. I have to admit I never thought the work that Warner’s Motion Picture Imaging (MPI) laboratories did on the original 2009 Blu-ray could be topped. I’m happy to report that this is an exceptional 4K presentation of the classic Alfred Hitchcock film. That said, this is the very best that “North by Northwest” has ever looked on home video. It earns itself a perfect 5 rating for video quality.
4K UHD Blu-ray Screenshots
Video Quality Rating: 5 (out of 5)
click to view a 4K Screenshot
Audio Quality
“North by Northwest” arrives on 4K UHD Blu-ray with a new Dolby Atmos sound mix (with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core) as well as the original theatrical mix in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono, with a DTS 2.0 Mono core. I obviously have opted for the Dolby Atmos mix and that’s what I’ll be covering here in this section.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Atmos mix is the tasteful use of sound effects in the height channels. Music is also used very effectively in the height channel speakers as well. The sound effects and music are primarily driven by the front left and right channel speakers. Dialogue is delivered from the center channel speaker with spot-on accuracy all throughout. It is never overpowered by the other sounds. The rear channel speakers also effectively use the original musical Score. This score was composed by Bernard Herrmann, and it is certainly done justice here.
Hitchcock certainly knew when to make use of music at just the right moments. For instance, there are many scenes filled with silence aside from dialogue and the few occasional sound effects. Then a scene will transition over to beautifully chaotic moments to set the vibe in a fitting manner. There’s even a nice bit of bass (LFE) to be heard and felt now and then, primarily via the subwoofer.
No matter which mix you choose, with the Atmos or the original theatrical mix, you’ll hear an excellent sound presentation. It will accompany a true classic film. I say bravo to Warner for a job well done here. They turned this Mono source material very nicely into Dolby Atmos, and frankly, I find it to be quite impressive. With that being said, “North by Northwest” on 4K UHD Blu-ray easily earns itself a respectable 4.5 rating for audio quality.
Audio Quality Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)
click to view a 4K Screenshot
Bonus Materials
A Digital Copy of the film in 4K resolution is included (via paper insert) which is compatible with Movies Anywhere. You can use it across various online video services. These include VUDU (Fandango at Home), AppleTV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Chromecast. It is compatible even with smart TVs from television makers like LG & VIZIO. This is presented digitally on AppleTV and Movies Anywhere in 4K UHD with Dolby Vision or HDR10. It also features Dolby Atmos sound. On Fandango at Home, it is presented in 4K UHD with Dolby Vision or HDR10 and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. AppleTV and Movies Anywhere both include digital versions of the extras. Sadly, however, Fandango at Home does not include any form of extras.
Bonus materials included on the 4K UHD Blu-ray are listed below.
- Audio Commentary by Ernest Lehman (screenwriter) is a must-hear. He wrote the original screenplay to this film. He also wrote many other screenplays.
- “North by Northwest: Cinematography, Score, and the Art of the Edit” (23 minutes, 6 seconds – HD) includes interviews with the following people: Jonathan Kuntz (film historian at UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television), Pete Hammond (chief film critic, Deadline.com), Richard Edwards (film scholar and author), Julie Kirgo (film historian), Steven C. Smith (author, “Hitchcock & Herrmann: The Friendship and Film Scores That Changed Cinema”), and Maria Elena De Las Carreras (film studies professor, California State University Northridge).
- “Destination Hitchcock: The Making of North by Northwest” (39 minutes, 26 seconds – HD) is narrated by Eva Marie Saint (“Eve Kendall”). It includes interviews with the following people: Pat Hitchcock (daughter of Alfred Hitchcock), Ernest Lehman (screenwriter), Bob Boyle (art director), and Martin Landau (“Leonard”).
- “The Master’s Touch: Hitchcock’s Signature Style” (57 minutes, 31 seconds – HD) from 2009 includes interviews with the following people: Alfred Hitchcock (director, “North by Northwest”), Francis Lawrence (director, “I Am Legend”), William Friedkin (director, “The Exorcist”), Guillermo del Toro (director, “Pan’s Labyrinth”), John Carpenter (director, “Halloween”), Camille Paglia (author, “The Birds” BFI Film Classics), Richard Loncraine (director, “Firewall”), David Sterritt (author, “The Films of Alfred Hitchcock”), Martin Scorsese (director, “Goodfellas”), Steven Derosa (author, “Writing with Hitchcock”), Curtis Hanson (director, “L.A. Confidential”), Christopher McQuarrie (screenwriter, “The Usual Suspects”), Joe Carnahan (director, “Smokin’ Aces”), Donald Spoto (Hitchcock biographer), Ruth Myers (costume designer, “L.A. Confidential”), Marvin Westmore (makeup artist, “Blade Runner”), Ruth Carter (costume designer, “Amistad”), and Ben Burtt (sound designer, “Star Wars: A New Hope”).
- “North by Northwest: One for the Ages” (25 minutes, 30 seconds – HD) from 2009 includes interviews with the following people: Curtis Hanson (director, “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”), Guillermo del Toro (director, “Hellboy”), William Friedkin (director, “The French Connection”), Francis Lawrence (director, “Constantine”), and Christopher McQuarrie (screenwriter, “Valkyrie”).
- “A Guided Tour with Alfred Hitchcock” (3 minutes, 16 seconds – HD) is a definite treat. This was originally used in promotion for the film as its theatrical trailer.
The bonus materials total up to 149 minutes. This includes an audio commentary by the screenwriter. It amounts to almost 2 and a half hours. There’s also a digital copy of the film included in 4K. It’s one very impressive set of supplemental material in my honest opinion.
Bonus Materials Rating: 4.75 (out of 5)
click to view a 4K Screenshot
Closing Thoughts
“North by Northwest” from 1959 is easily one of the best films of its time. It is also one of my personal favorites from director Alfred Hitchcock. Cary Grant gives one unforgettable performance here from start to finish. Eva Marie Saint and James Mason also give excellent performances. The movie itself reportedly had a budget of around 3.1 million dollars. Surprisingly, it did rather well and grossed 192,000 dollars worldwide total in its box office return. That’s according to Box Office Mojo.
With that being said, this was the only motion picture that Hitchcock made with studio MGM. Regardless, critics and audiences alike liked the movie, and it has since become a classic. Critics well received the motion picture. It carries a “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, still to this day. In terms of awards, the movie was nominated for 3 Academy Awards. It received nominations in categories for writing, art & set direction, and editing.
In terms of video quality, you get one very impressive 4K UHD upgrade. It comes physically with HDR10. Digitally, it includes Dolby Vision on some platforms. Sadly, that’s oftentimes the case with the inclusion of Dolby’s 12-bit Dolby Vision form of high dynamic range. There’s a massive amount of newfound detail in every scene. It looks just as marvelous as you would expect for a Hitchcock film shot in VistaVision. This is “North by Northwest” in the finest you have ever seen on home video, folks. I thought the original Blu-ray was awe-inspiring back in the day. However, this proves that everything can get a superior upgrade over time.
In terms of audio quality, this provides a new Dolby Atmos mix. It also includes an option for a lossless original theatrical Mono sound mix. The Atmos mix is certainly a blast, and it is suggested. However, purists will more likely go the route of the lossless Mono. I appreciate both sound mixes and enjoyed each. The new Atmos mix definitely is my favorite and it really does the movie justice.
The 4K release includes a considerable amount of bonus materials. You’ll get over 2 hours of extras. They are all presented in HD (high definition) video quality with Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo (or Mono) sound. You get an audio commentary track with the film’s screenwriter. A digital copy of the film is also included, and it is compatible with Movies Anywhere.
Overall, this is one Very Highly Recommended 4K UHD Blu-ray release. And it’s one of the finer releases this year on the 4K physical media format. Warner has done an excellent job with this release. Hitchcock fans will certainly be pleased.
In terms of 4K UHD Blu-ray release, this gets:
5 (out of 5) for video quality
4.5 (out of 5) for audio quality
4.75 (out of 5) for bonus materials
Available As:
2024 4K UHD Blu-ray Release
Available at: Amazon | GRUV | Walmart
2024 4K UHD Blu-ray SteelBook Release
Available at: Amazon | GRUV | Walmart
Overall Verdict:
Very Highly Recommended
4K UHD Blu-ray Technical Specifications:
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Exact Runtime(s): 2:16:22
Audio Format(s): English Dolby Atmos (with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core), English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (with a DTS 2.0 Mono core), Dolby Digital Mono
Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Subtitles: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Chinese, Korean
HDR: HDR10
Disc Size: BD-100
Disc Use: 91.84GB total / 70.3GB for the film
Video Bitrate: 62.8 Mb/s