The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
TOMATOMETER
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AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Remaking his own 1934 film, Hitchcock imbues The Man Who Knew Too Much with picturesque locales and international intrigue, and is helped by a brilliantly befuddled performance from James Stewart.
The Man Who Knew Too Much Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Lucy Drayton
as Edward Drayton
as Inspector Buchanan
as Louis Bernard
as Ambassador
as Val Parnell
as Jan Peterson
as Hank McKenna
as Rien the assassin
as Assistant Manager
as Woburn
as Helen Parnell
as Police Inspector
as Cindy Fontaine
as Arab
as Arab
as Edna
as Chauffeur
as English Handyman
as French Police
as French Police
as Detective
as Bernard's Girlfriend
as Uniformed Attendant
as Headwaiter
as French Policeman
as Henchman
as Special Branch Officer
as French Waiter
as Desk Clerk
as Special Branch Officer
as Arab Woman
as Man
as Assistant Manager
as Guard
as Guard
as Workmen in Taxidermist Shop
as Workmen in Taxidermist Shop
as Workmen in Taxidermist Shop
as English Handyman
as Workmen in Taxidermist Shop
as Foreign Prime Minister
as Box Office Woman
as Lady in the Audience
as Sir Kenneth Clarke
as Girlfriend of the Assassin
as Ambassador's Wife
as Edington
as Aide to Foreign Prime Minister
as Ambrose Chappell Sr.
as Butler
as Patterson
as General Manager of Albert Hall
as Lady Clarke
as Lady in Audience
as Inspector at Albert Hall
as Woman Cook
as Ticket Collector
as Box Office Woman
as Footman
as Ambrose Chappell Jr.
as The Orchestra Conductor
Critic Reviews for The Man Who Knew Too Much
All Critics (32) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (29) | Rotten (3) | DVD (6)
The film is uncharacteristically rigid and pious for Hitchcock; it feels more like a work of duty than conviction.
While drawing the footage out a bit long, he still keeps suspense working at all times and gets strong performances from the two stars and other cast members.
Starting slowly amid colourful but rather superfluous travelogue-style Moroccan footage, the film improves no end as it progresses.
Even in mammoth VistaVision, the old Hitchcock thriller-stuff has punch.
James Stewart is superb, and Bernard Miles and Brenda de Banzie make admirable adversaries.
Making marvellous use of settings and locations, Hitchcock treats the viewer to superbly choreographed set-pieces.
Audience Reviews for The Man Who Knew Too Much
Top notch Hitchcock film. Gotta love the Cold War if Dorris Day's in it!
Super Reviewer
This is Alfred Hitchcock doing a remake of one of his own films from early on in his career, and it's an interesting choice. The original was a slick, fun little thriller in its own right, and it really helped set the standard for the bulk of his career from then on. This time around though, the telling of the storyt is a lot more polished, more artistic, and 45 minutes longer. Both films are great, but this one is the stronger of the two, but by how much is really up for debate. It's the usual Hitch story: family goes on vacation, meets interesting people, and they get caught up in situations they aren't prepared for, and are in way over their heads. To top it off, the family can't do much since their son has been kidnapped as a way of threatening them, so not only do they need to try to stop an assassination, they need to get their son back. As I said, this version is a lot more slick and polished. The sets and costumes look great ,AStewart is solid as always, and it's really ncie seeing Doris Day do something dramatic. The film is a mixture of suspense thriller and comedy, and it sometiems works well, but on the other hand, it is fairly uneven at times, and it seems like the film can't make up its mind about which tone to stick with. Also, the film si pretty dated with the rather un PC way characters deal with race and culture, but hey, that's the 50s for you. Nevertheless, this is an exciting film that never fails to hold one's attention, and there's some excellent sequences, most notable being the 14 minute or so sequence at Royal Albert Hall that is done with no dialogue, and relies soley on music and visuals to build tension and suspense. It's a real showstopper. All in all, this is required viewing for fans of the genre, and especially fans of Hitch. The original should also be checked out, as it's a real joy as well.
Super Reviewer
One of my favorites from Hitchcock. Jimmy Stewart, as always, gives his all and the Vista Vision technology is used to it's fullest. Also, Doris Day puts in her best performance.
Super Reviewer
The Man Who Knew Too Much Quotes
| Foreign Prime Minister: | Delighted, delighted, delighted. |
| The Ambassador: | You have muddled everything from the start, taking that child with you from Marrakesh. Don't you realize that Americans dislike having their children stolen? |
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