DVD Review: Criterion Edition of Original ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much’

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
No votes yet

CHICAGO – Did everyone know that the great Guillermo Del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”) is an expert on Alfred Hitchcock? So much so that he wrote a book on the legendary director and was asked by The Criterion Collection to do a wonderful interview on Hitch’s 1934 version of “The Man Who Knew Too Much”? Del Toro wonderfully expounds on the film, offering his insight as to how the work that would be remade into a more popular Jimmy Stewart film in later years actually represents the perfect transitional piece from Hitch’s British period to his American one. It’s just one of several great special features on another stellar Criterion release.

HollywoodChicago.com DVD Rating: 4.5/5.0
DVD Rating: 4.5/5.0

I forgot how different the two “Man Who” films are in tone, more vividly remembering the Doris Day version with its broad, widescreen, nearly operatic style. The original “Man” was a much more subtle piece, almost claustrophobic in its story of a kidnapped girl caught in a web of political intrigue. I can’t recommend Del Toro’s interview enough as the director beautifully details what to appreciate about this work. As with most Criterion releases, the special features illuminate the film in new ways instead of just serving as filler. Also great is an extensive interview from 1972 and a long audio clip from Hitchcock’s infamous interviews with the great Francois Truffaut. Hitchcock Criterion releases have turned out to be some of the collection’s best (you must get “The Lady Vanishes,” “Notorious,” “Rebecca,” and “Spellbound”). “The Man Who Knew Too Much” is no exception.

The Man Who Knew Too Much
The Man Who Knew Too Much
Photo credit: Courtesy of The Criterion Collection

Synopsis:
An ordinary British couple vacationing in Switzerland suddenly find themselves embroiled in a case of international intrigue when their daughter is kidnapped by spies plotting a political assassination. This fleet and gripping film is the first of the early thrillers the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, made during the fertile phase of his career spent at the Gaumont-British Picture Corporation. Besides affirming Hitchcock’s genius, it gave the brilliant Peter Lorre his first English-speaking role, as a slithery villain. With its tension and gallows humor, it’s pure Hitchcock, and it set the tone for such films as The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes.

Special Features:
o Audio Commentary Featuring Film Historian Philip Kemp
o Interview With Filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro
o The Illustrated Hitchcock - An Extensive Interview With Director Alfred Hitchcock From 1972, Conducted By Journalist Pia Lindstrom and Film Historian William K. Everson
o Audio Excerpts From Filmmaker Francois Truffaut’s Legendary 1962 Interviews With Hitchcock
o Restoration Demonstration
o Booklet Featuring An Essay By Critic Farran Smith Nehme

“The Man Who Knew Too Much” was released on Criterion Blu-ray and DVD on January 15, 2013.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
referendum
tracker