The latest challenge from Rob is the Hitchcock classic
Writer: John Michael Hayes (Screenplay) Charles Bennett, D.B. Wyndham Lewis (Story)
Starring: James Stewart, Doris Day, Brenda de Banzie, Bernard Miles, Ralph Truman, Daniel Gelin, Mogens Wieth
Plot: A family vacationing in Morocco accidentally stumble on to an assassination plot and the conspirators are determined to prevent them from interfering.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Classic Tale
Story: The Man Who knew Too Much starts with our vacationing family McKenna’s Benjamin (Stewart), Josephine (Day) and son Hank (Olsen) in Morocco. After a slight altercation on a bus the family meet French man Louis Bernard (Gelin) who starts to learn about personal information about the McKenna’s making an instant friend from Benjamin while Jo questions his motives.
When Louis Bernard gets stabbed he dies in the arms of Benjamin passing over a secret about an assassination attempt. Benjamin get questioned by police before getting threatened about his secret. When the McKenna’s find out the true identity of a nice couple the Drayton’s Lucy (Banzie) & Edward (Miles) who take Hank as leverage to keep their plan a secret, leaving Benjamin and Jo to find the one man too trust, save their child and save the assassination attempt.
The Man Who knew Too Much is a film that I actually saw The Simpsons’ take on it first, so I knew the basic idea of twists along the way. I d think this is a classic that has stood the test of time with it reaching the age of 60 next year. I think the idea of using everyday people in the thrilling stage rather than authority character which people end up seeing normally. I think this is a very good at showing a strong female character which is something we still struggle at time. This is a real thrill ride that does keep you guessing from start to finish. (8/10)
Actor Review
James Stewart: Dr Benjamin McKenna is the loving husband and father who ends up caught in the middle of assassination attempt, where he knows the secret but can’t give it up until he get his son back. He will try everything to get his son back however risky it will end up being for himself. James gives a great performance that shows just how big of a star he was. (8/10)
Doris Day: Josephine Conway McKenna is the loving mother and famous singer who attracts attention from the public as she tries to discover the location of her son, she is happy to search alone showing how strong and independent her character is compared to others in the time period. Doris does a good job in this strong role where she does get to show off her singing talents. (7/10)
Brenda de Banzie: Lucy Drayton starts off as part of a friendly couple but it soon becomes apparent that along with her husband they have another plan up their sleeve. Brenda does a solid job but I don’t feel she gets enough screen time for her character. (6/10)
Bernard Miles: Edward Drayton looks like a friend to the McKenna’s but once he is involved in the kidnapping of the their son he proves to be the ring leader in an assassination attempt. Bernard does a good job in the villainous role. (7/10)
Support Cast: The Man Who knew Too Much has a supporting cast that is filled with generic authority characters that seem to not be much help with the family’s problem.
Director Review: Alfred Hitchcock – Alfred is one of the best directors the world ever saw and this film shows just how good of a story teller he really was. (9/10)
Thriller: The Man Who knew Too Much keeps you guessing to what will happen next through the whole film. (10/10)
Settings: The Man Who knew Too Much uses the Morocco and London setting nicely showing the difference in location and how out of place the characters are in each one. (9/10)
Suggestion: The Man Who knew Too Much is one film that everyone should have seen at least one time their life time. (Watch)
Best Part: Tension is brilliant.
Worst Part: I do feel we needed more from the supporting characters.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: $2.5 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours
Tagline: A little knowledge can be a deadly thing!
Overall: A Thriller that just keeps giving that shows just how the master made films.
Rating 
