CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio review for the doc series “Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose,” about the rise and bitter fall of the major league legend, the MLB’s all-time hits leader, only to be banned from the sport because of gambling. Streaming on MAX and on HBO since July 24th.!—break—>
DVD Review: Criterion Edition of Original ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much’
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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.
![]() 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.
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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
![]() | By BRIAN TALLERICO |