Foreign Correspondent

Foreign Correspondent

Year: 1940

Runtime: 120 min

Language: English

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

MysteryThrillerRomanceWar

When a struggling crime reporter is sent to Europe for a fresh story, he finds himself caught in a dangerous game of international espionage. Amidst political intrigue and shadowy figures, he partners with a resourceful daughter of a politician and an experienced English journalist. Together, they must decipher a complex web of secrets and navigate a world where appearances can be deceiving, all while trying to uncover the truth and find his place in the unfolding drama.

Foreign Correspondent (1940) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Foreign Correspondent (1940) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the waning days of summer 1939, Europe trembles on the edge of a conflict that threatens to engulf the world. The continent’s bustling cafés, grand hotels, and shadow‑laden streets pulse with a nervous energy, while diplomats whisper and strangers barter in half‑spoken codes. Against this backdrop, a bustling news office in New York dispatches its most tenacious correspondent to the heart of the gathering storm, hoping fresh eyes will capture a story that could define the era.

John Jones arrives as a hard‑pressed crime reporter, accustomed to chasing leads through city alleys rather than international intrigue. Though his career has been built on gritty investigations, this assignment offers a chance to prove his mettle on a stage far larger than any courtroom. Armed with a keen curiosity and a notebook eager for truth, he steps onto foreign soil aware that every conversation may conceal a hidden agenda and that even the most ordinary encounter could hint at a larger puzzle.

There, he quickly finds himself aligned with two compelling allies. Carol, the spirited daughter of a prominent politician, possesses a blend of poise and resourcefulness that makes her both an insider to the power structures and a sharp observer of the subtle shifts around her. Complementing her is Scott ffolliott, a seasoned English journalist whose worldly experience and steady composure provide a steadying influence amid the swirling uncertainty. The trio’s dynamic balances ambition, wit, and a shared longing to untangle the opaque web of diplomatic maneuvering that surrounds them.

Together they navigate a world where appearances are deceptive, and every courteous greeting may mask a covert motive. The atmosphere is thick with suspense, tinged by the looming thunderhead of war, yet infused with a hint of optimism that tenacious truth‑seekers can still illuminate the darkness. As they pursue the elusive story that has drawn them across borders, the film promises a blend of melodramatic tension, razor‑sharp dialogue, and a portrait of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances—leaving audiences eager to discover what lies just beyond the next whispered exchange.

Last Updated: August 11, 2025 at 07:50

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Racing against time to uncover a conspiracy as a global conflict looms.If you liked the urgent, high-stakes suspense of Foreign Correspondent, you'll enjoy these movies. They feature tense stories of espionage, political conspiracy, and journalistic investigation set against the ominous backdrop of an impending war.

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These stories typically follow an amateur or journalist protagonist who stumbles upon a widespread conspiracy. As they dig deeper, they are drawn into a dangerous game with powerful, shadowy figures, forcing them to use their wits to survive and expose the truth before it's too late.

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They are grouped by their shared setting on the eve of war, a tense and urgent tone driven by geopolitical stakes, and a focus on unraveling a conspiracy that threatens global stability.

Thrillers with an amateur hero like in Foreign Correspondent

An ordinary person is suddenly plunged into a dangerous conspiracy far beyond their experience.Movies like Foreign Correspondent where a relatable protagonist, such as a reporter, gets caught in a dangerous web of espionage. These films share a fast pace, high tension, and a focus on a character learning to navigate a treacherous new world.

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The narrative centers on a character's rapid transformation from an outsider to an active participant in a dangerous conflict. Their journey is defined by a series of chases, narrow escapes, and alliances with more experienced figures, as they piece together a complex puzzle under extreme pressure.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Foreign Correspondent

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