Cast
View All
Cary Grant
as T.R. Devlin
Ingrid Bergman
as Alicia Huberman
Claude Rains
as Alexander Sebastian
Leopoldine Konstantin
as Madame Anna Sebastian
Louis Calhern
as Captain Paul Prescott
Alex Minotis
as Joseph
Reinhold Schünzel
as Dr. Anderson
Ivan Triesault
as Eric Mathis
Eberhard Krumschmidt
as Emil Hupka
Moroni Olsen
as Walter Beardsley
Ricardo Costa
as Dr. Julio Barbosa
Charles Mendl
as Commodore
Wally Brown
as Mr. Hopkins
Fay Baker
as Ethel
Friedrich von Ledebur
as Knerr (uncredited)
Crew
Director
- Alfred Hitchcock
Writer
- Ben Hecht
Producer
- Alfred Hitchcock
Reviews
Andres Gomez
Good thriller from Alfred Hitschcock.
Oct 28, 2012
CinemaSerf
Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant just ooze charisma in this classic Hitchcock story of espionage and romance. She ("Alicia") has taken to the bottle following the conviction of her Nazi father and is heading down the slippery slope when she is approached by "Devlin" (Grant) who offers her a chance to redeem herself. She is to ingratiate herself with a group of her father's cohorts in Rio and feed back her intelligence to the CIA. Once in Rio, she is reunited with her arch-Nazi admirer "Alexander" (Claude Rains) and, at the insistence of her new boss (Louis Calhern) she marries him. What now ensues is a cleverly developing tale of treachery and betrayal tempered with plenty of humour and a little romance (of course she and "Devlin" fall for each other). The photography is both grand and intimate, Roy Webb has scored this perfectly and Hitchcock uses Ben Hecht's story to full effect. This is a classic piece of cinema that I saw quite recently on a big screen - and it is well worth watching again!
Jul 7, 2022
Thematic Analysis
Notorious represents a fascinating example of Thriller/Romance/Mystery cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Alfred Hitchcock brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1946, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Notorious took approximately 11 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $2.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 103 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 154 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 11 months to complete.
- The film contains approximately 2453 individual shots.
- The musical score contains over 42 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 1946, when this film was released:
- Television was becoming a dominant form of home entertainment.
- The Cold War was intensifying, influencing global politics and culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Notorious shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Notorious subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Black Coal, Thin Ice and I Stand Alone explore similar territory, Notorious stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 21, 1946
- Runtime: 1h 43m
- Budget: $2,000,000
- Revenue: $24,500,000
Where to Watch
