North by Northwest

North by Northwest

Year: 1959

Runtime: 136 min

Language: English

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

ActionAdventureMysteryThriller

A sophisticated advertising executive becomes embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy after a case of mistaken identity. Pursued by mysterious agents, Roger O. Thornhill finds himself caught in a thrilling chase across the country. He encounters a beautiful and enigmatic woman, Eve Kendall, whose allegiances remain unclear as he navigates a web of deception and peril. The adventure is filled with suspenseful moments and unexpected twists.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – North by Northwest (1959)

Trace every key event in North by Northwest (1959) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Thornhill's Kidnapping

Roger O. Thornhill, an advertising executive, is mistaken for a man named George Kaplan. He is kidnapped by two men, Valerian and Licht, who take him to a remote location for interrogation.

Long Island
2

The Interrogation

At the house of Lester Townsend, Thornhill faces interrogation by Phillip Vandamm, who is posing as Townsend. Despite Thornhill's denials, Vandamm remains convinced he has the right man and decides to eliminate him.

Lester Townsend's residence
3

The Escape Attempt

Thornhill is forced to drink bourbon, which is part of Vandamm's plan to stage a fatal accident. However, he manages to wrest control of the car, pushes one of the thugs out, and drives off, only to get arrested for drunk driving shortly thereafter.

4

Mother's Doubt

After his arrest, Thornhill explains his situation to the police and the judge, but no one believes him. Even his mother is skeptical, especially after a woman claims he was just drunk at a dinner party.

5

Investigating Kaplan

Thornhill, hoping to find clues about Kaplan, visits Kaplan's hotel room with his mother. He answers a phone call for Kaplan, narrowly escaping another attempt at abduction by Vandamm’s henchman.

Kaplan's hotel room
6

Confrontation at the UN

Thornhill travels to the United Nations to confront Townsend during a speech. He is shocked to discover that the actual Townsend is not the man who interrogated him, and before they can talk, Townsend is murdered.

United Nations
7

Escape via Train

Knowing Kaplan is in Chicago, Thornhill boards the 20th Century Limited train. He meets Eve Kendall, who hides him from the police, though it is revealed later that she is in league with Vandamm.

On the train to Chicago
8

The Crop Duster Attack

Thornhill travels to an isolated crossroads where he is attacked by a crop-dusting plane. After a terrifying near-miss, the plane crashes into a gasoline truck, causing an explosion.

Isolated crossroads
9

The Art Auction

Desperate for answers, Thornhill goes to an art auction where he sees Vandamm and Eve. He realizes that Vandamm has sinister intentions and causes a commotion to escape capture.

Art auction venue
10

Meeting the Professor

In a twist, Thornhill meets a spymaster known as the Professor who reveals that George Kaplan is a fictional character created to distract from the real agent, Eve. Thornhill agrees to help protect Eve from Vandamm.

11

Showdown at Mount Rushmore

Thornhill, under the guise of Kaplan, meets Vandamm and Eve at Mount Rushmore. In a tense confrontation, Thornhill tries to trade himself for Eve but is shot and taken away in an ambulance.

Mount Rushmore
12

Thornhill's Narrow Escape

After being shot with blanks, Thornhill escapes the ambulance and manages to infiltrate Vandamm's hideout. He discovers that a statue holds crucial information about Vandamm’s espionage activities.

Vandamm's hideout
13

The Climax on Mount Rushmore

In a final chase on Mount Rushmore, Thornhill and Eve must evade Vandamm's henchmen. A struggle ensues, leading to the deaths of Leonard and Valerian, and Vandamm's eventual capture.

Mount Rushmore
14

The Happy Ending

The film concludes with Thornhill and Eve escaping their harrowing experiences. The final shot captures them on a train, foreshadowing their new life together as husband and wife.

On a train

Last Updated: January 19, 2025 at 18:49

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North by Northwest Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in North by Northwest

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