North by Northwest is a charming and glossy 1959 film directed by Carry Grant and starring Alfred Hitchcock. It's a larger-than-life fantasy that offers an escape from the rigid, conformist 1950s. North by Northwest sets the standard for all suspense thriller films by creating the most classic moments in films following the hero's journey structure of the story. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Ernest Lehman's screenplay has a classic hero's journey structure. It is the story of a “regular” but successful handsome man, who is in control of his life and feels his calling to adventure. This happens when Thornhill is mistaken by some suspicious men for George Kaplan. He meets his mentor who is the Professor, is tested and goes through near-death experiences like in the duster scene. Nonetheless, he manages to save the damsel in distress that is Eva. Hitchcock maneuvered the script to add something to the hero's journey by creating, even more, suspension and dynamism. The screenplay begins with the narrator saying, “It wouldn't be strange, in a city of seven million, if one man were never mistaken for another. “Hitchcock didn't include the narrator's voice at the beginning of the film to achieve something more unexpected. Instead, it skips to the part where Thornhill gives directions to his secretary to set up the main character as a very controlling man. So it's more surprising when Thornhill is suddenly kidnapped and doesn't know what to do. Another example of the tension that Hitchcock creates is the crop dusting scene. He cuts back to the very detailed description of the scene in the script to the bus man saying, “That plane is dusting crops where there are none.” This increases the tension once again. The characters are also shown as archetypes of a hero's journey. Thornhill is the classic “knight in shining armor” played by Carry Grant. He is the friendly, lady-in-waiting, the elegant and beautiful protagonist of the story. Eve is the damsel in distress played by Eva Marie Saint. She is mysterious and troubled, ready to be saved by her prince. To her credit, the story makes her seem like a strong woman who had a difficult past and now works for national security. However, she still gets saved by Thornhill in the end and eventually marries him as her greatest achievement in the film. There is also the archetypal mentor who is The Professor played by Leo G. Carrol. He is the one who explains everything to Thornhill and the audience. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Through the hero's journey, North by Northwest represents the 1950s. After the war, the men returned home to live the American dream. They were like Thornhill in the movie, heroes and protectors of the American way, ready to save the day and then finally get married and settle down. The film shows the conventional way of thinking of the time when values ​​such as money, success and appearances were important and where women patiently waited for men to save them..