Notorious

Notorious
by Alfred Hitchcock

Our Price: $45.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $8.99 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details

Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

DVD details

Actor: Fay Baker, Ingrid Bergman, Louis Calhern, Ricardo Costa (II), Wally Brown
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: Portuguese (Original Language); Spanish (Original Language)
Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: Academy Ratio, 1.33:1
Running Time: 101 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1999-09-07
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay

DVD Reviews of Notorious

DVD Review: Notorious
Summary: 5 Stars

I love this movie! The acting and plot are fabulous. With Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman how can you go wrong.

DVD Review: Love and Intrigue
Summary: 5 Stars

Released in August of '46--well over a year after V-E Day and just about a year after V-J Day--Alfred Hitchcock's NOTORIOUS was actually in development at a time when the war's outcome was at least still somewhat uncertain. Ben Hecht's initial script was reportedly written in 1944, for example. The film's central storyline--involving active Post-War Nazi plotting in Brazil--was likely a alteration of a war-time scenario, and references to nuclear plotting would have seemed pretty prescient--or pretty far out: hard to say which.

Whatever the specifics, it's certainly an intriguing question to consider just how historical developments might have forced alterations to the film's script. Equally interesting is the question of audience reception: the movie was successful, by all accounts, and it can be assumed that appeals to American patriotism and anti-Nazism would still be quite powerful in the immediate Post-War era. In fact, at a time when the full extent of Nazi criminality had only just recently come to light, fears of diabolical plots by surviving members might have lent the film even more resonance (especially, given the film's well-timed nuclear "McGuffin": the age of nuclear anxiety was now upon us and found real expression in the Hitchcock film).

That being said, we'd still have to agree with Hitchcock himself when he maintained that the film was still mainly a love story. And as such, one could scarcely have asked for better romantic leads than Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. Re-watching the film recently, I began to appreciate just how good (AND how charismatic) they were. Grant has always been underrated as an actor. His T.R. Devlin is as cool and ironic as any secret agent character in film history. But he is also believable when he finally confesses his love for Ingrid Bergman's character.

And Bergman is just luminous in this film. Her role in the film is perhaps one of her most demanding: Alicia Huberman, the daughter of a convicted WWII traitor, is vulnerable, intelligent, romantic and cynical. She's as "notorious" for her own wild behavior, we're given to understand, as she is for being the daughter of a Nazi spy. Of course, her psychological make-up and her personal and family history are all one of a piece. The audience is made to understand early on that her rush toward hedonism was a direct reaction to her father's betrayal of his country and--ultimately--of her. She is a "good girl" at heart, one awaiting redemption at the hands of a heroic male. It played well in '46: it plays just as well today, if we dare admit it.

The supporting cast is also excellent. Claude Rains brings a level of intelligence and, yes, humanity to his Nazi character Alex Sebastian that makes him something of a sympathetic character. He is a coward and a Mama's boy, but Rains' subtle performance makes Sebastian's weaknesses and character flaws understandable. It is in fact Mama who's the real dyed-in-the-wool Nazi. A friend I saw the film with dubbed her "Frau Hitler," and indeed there has never been a more sinister mother figure in cinematic history. Not even elsewhere in Hitchcock's oeuvre, I'd venture.

NOTORIOUS is great entertainment: skillfully written and directed, beautifully photographed and extrememly well acted. And Hitchcock's modesty notwithstanding, it is not devoid of ideas. Sure it's a love story, but it places its lovers in the context of history and reminds us all that those forces can dictate and sometimes overwhelm our own life circumstances. By the film's end, it looks as though Alicia and Devlin just may be among those who escape the caprices of history. At least for a time.

DVD Review: Uneven Hitchcock
Summary: 3 Stars

In the aftermath of World War II, the Americans are hunting down and prosecuting the remaining Nazis anywhere they can. One such conviction brings Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman) across their radar. Her father has just been sent to prison for his involvement. But he knew more Nazis, and they think that Alicia can help them get the entire cell.

T. R. Devlin (Cary Grant) is the one who makes this pitch. At first reluctant, Alicia soon leaves for the assignment in Brazil with Devlin as her handler.

The assignment involves reuniting with Alexander Sebastian (Claude Rains) and getting as close to him as possible. Since Alexander had a crush on Alicia, that part is no problem. But how far will Alicia go? Is this novice in over her head?

The basic premise of the film is familiar, and I thought that in the master's hands it might turn out to be pretty good. And there are plenty of good suspense moments, all in the second half. I'm not going to spoil any, but do know I was on the edge of my seat several times.

However, getting there was a chore. This movie is very heavy handed with the romance, especially in the first half. Frankly, I never bought it for whatever reason. Maybe it just happened too fast. Anyway, it felt forced into the story. And it made me actually dislike Devlin. I couldn't believe how he behaved at multiple points in the film. Frankly, both he and Alicia acted very stupidly multiple times.

The story is okay with several exciting parts, but the rest of the movie just doesn't support those scenes.

DVD Review: Intrigue
Summary: 5 Stars

Great Hitchcock film! Grant and Bergman are terrific in the film. Claude Rains outshines both as the creepy momma's boy. Highly recommend!

DVD Review: ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREAT ROMANTIC THRILLERS
Summary: 5 Stars

The romantic tension in this superlative Hitchcock spy story is fabulous. It is a little hard to believe that any guy ( even Cary Grant ) could resist someone as incredibly beautiful as Ingrid Bergman was, pretty much throwing herself at him, but that's why the romance works so well. The fact that the suspense ( revolving around a Nazi group in Brazil that is refining uranium ore ) matches the romance is due in large part to the genius of Hitchcock, and the marvelous Claude Rains as the sinister, and calculating Alexander. Rains' character, is the sexually-frustrated, head of the spy network, freshly-recruited, secret agent, Alicia ( Ingrid Bergman, who is simply radiant in this role ), the daughter of a convicted traitor, is sent to 'land.' Alicia's contact, Devlin ( Cary Grant, in one of his best performances ever ) refuses to let his emotions get in the way of his job- despite the fact, that he has fallen for the 'notorious' party girl, Alicia. The screenplay, and cinematography are wonderful, as are Edith Heads' costumes for Bergman.

There are plenty of extras on this edition, and the audio, and video qualities are very good. This is a must have for Hitchcock, Bergman, Grant, or Rains' fans. NOTORIOUS is one of the great film's in cinema history.

Description of Notorious

One of Alfred Hitchcock's classics, this romantic thriller features a cast to kill for: Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant, and Claude Rains. Bergman plays the daughter of a disgraced father who is recruited by American agents to infiltrate a post-World War II spy ring in Brazil. Her control agent is Grant, who treats her with disdain while developing a deep romantic bond with her. Her assignment: to marry the suspected head of the ring (Rains) and get the goods on everyone involved. Danger, deceit, betrayal--and, yes, romance--all come together in a nearly perfect blend as the film builds to a terrific (and surprising) climax. Grant and Bergman rarely have been better. --Marshall Fine

Espionage DVDs

DVD Video

Bestsellers in Espionage DVDs

Casino Royale [Blu-ray]
CRAIG,DANIEL; Release date: 2007-03-13; DVD
Best price: $13.23
Price in other shops: ~~$38.96~~

Above the Law [Blu-ray]
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2009-04-07; DVD
Best price: $13.49
Price in other shops: ~~$28.99~~

True Lies
SCHWARZENEGGER,ARNO; Release date: 1999-05-25; DVD
Best price: $4.60
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~

Mission Impossible III [Blu-ray]
PARAMOUNT PICTURES; Release date: 2008-06-03; DVD
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops: ~~$29.99~~

Sneakers (Collector's Edition)
Universal; Release date: 2004-12-28; DVD
Best price: $2.76
Price in other shops: ~~$5.98~~

Notorious
Release date: 2008-10-14; DVD
Best price: $11.69
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

The Bourne Ultimatum (Widescreen Edition)
DAMON,MATT; Release date: 2007-12-11; DVD
Best price: $6.40
Price in other shops: ~~$29.98~~

The Hunt for Red October [Blu-ray]
Paramount; Release date: 2008-07-29; DVD
Best price: $12.30
Price in other shops: ~~$29.99~~

Body of Lies (Widescreen Edition)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2009-02-17; DVD
Best price: $7.37
Price in other shops: ~~$28.98~~

Casino Royale (2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
Sony; Release date: 2007-03-13; DVD
Best price: $6.00
Price in other shops: ~~$19.94~~

Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs

The Philadelphia Story
WARNER HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2000-05-02; DVD
Best price: $6.03
Price in other shops: ~~$19.97~~

Vertigo (Collector's Edition)
Universal; Release date: 1998-03-31; DVD
Best price: $5.17
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

Dial M for Murder
WARNER HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $10.00
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

Rear Window (Collector's Edition)
Universal; Release date: 2001-03-06; DVD
Best price: $6.88
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

Casablanca
WARNER HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2000-02-15; DVD
Best price: $5.48
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

North By Northwest
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $40.00

Suspicion
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $8.88
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

To Catch a Thief - The Centennial Collection (1955) (2pc)
PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2009-03-24; DVD
Best price: $11.23
Price in other shops: ~~$16.99~~