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Bergman is as beatiful as ever

Excellant romantic thriller from director Hitchcock starring Grant and Bergman. Bergman is as beatiful as ever and Claude Rains gives a great performance. The DVD transfer is pretty good. Minus a few errors and no bonus features, over all its crisp and clean. A must for Hitchcock and/or Bergman (one of my favorites) fans.

Notoriously Entertaining

A finely crafted, sumptuously produced romantic thriller that has the distinction of featuring director Hitchcock, and stars Grant and Bergman at their collective best. Even so, Claude Rains manages to dominate almost every scene in which he appears; his Oscar-nominated portrayal of the lovesick mama's boy engaged in espionage comes off as supremely menacing, emotionally ambiguous, and yet oddly sympathetic ... all at the same time.

The film-to-DVD transfer is quite good. There are a couple of jumps and pops in the master print that are a bit jarring, but overall it's a crisp and clean presentation with great contrast. Although the package doesn't mention it, the DVD does offer chapter search/scene selection which is always a nice perk. There aren't any of the bonus features that we spoiled DVD collectors are coming to expect (trailers, biographical sketches, etc.), but it's still a more than acceptable edition of a truly classic film.

notorious

i'm hopelessly in love with bergman which motivates me to gives any bergman film five stars. the underlying chemistry between grant and bergman is very dynamic. the push and pull of emotions between the two lovers creates the main tension of the film. the secondary tension arises obviously from the suprense prevailing from the war time scadals by the nazis in rio. i am most impressed with the innocence bergman portrays through her use of facial expressions during all the critical junctions troughout the film. bergman is truely a hopeless romantic in need of an audience to watch her.

My fave'

Wow! this is truly an amazing film. Hitchcock's best, Grant's best, Bergman's best and so on. It is one of the darkest, and deepest roles for Grant, and the best of hitchcock, or any other film! Underrated, even at 5 stars! Bergman plays the daughter of a convicted Nazi traitor. Grant is the American agent who presses her to do some undercover work with Claude Rains... and both fall in love with her. Gripping and powerful, there will never be a better film than this. See it... NOW!

One of Hitchcock's Best!

Notorious is not one of Hitchcock's better known films, but it certainly is one of his best. A fantastic love story intertwined with a suspenseful hunt for Nazi war criminals. Everyone will love this movie!

Notorious

This film one of the elite Hitchcock films, one of the great romance films of all time, and a great suspense film as well. Ingrid Bergman has never been better,(not even in Casablanca) nor has Cary Grant. This film looks great, even though it is(as of the year 2000) 53 years old. The VHS print is extremely clear and in focus, so the DVD must be fantastic. Do yourself a favor-buy or rent this instead of the latest insipid "New Release" at the local video store.

One of Hitchcock's best!

I adore Alfred Hitchcock movies, and this is one of my favorites. Ingrid Bergman puts herself in a dangerous position in order to help catch a German spy. She also falls in love with a dashing Cary Grant but has to put their relationship on hold to help her country. A thriller and love story in one. Hitchcock is THE master of suspense.

Suspense out of nothingness... quite a feat!

This is one of the great Hitchcock films, and one of the great films of all time. In this age where we have become used to vivid and realistic gore, multi-million dollar special effects, etc., it's truly an education to see how suspense can be created without any of these tools. The final thirty minutes or so just leave you in chills, simply by suggesting the "possibility" of disastrous consequences. If you can learn to appreciate how a master like Hitchcock works the human imagination, you are well on your way to being a more enlightened fan of cinema!

Great acting, but where was the suspense...

Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman did an amazing job acting in "Notorious." I also loved the creativity in the camera shots and angles, with some of the most creative ones coming from Bergman's point-of-view, in my opinion.

The film didn't have the level of suspense that I expected it might. In fact, I didn't really really the movie had much suspense at all until well over halfway into it. The film also dragged in some parts, as did many other Hitchcock films. Nonetheless, Ingrid Bergman's wodnerful acting makes up for all this.

I think this film is a must-see for any Hitchcock fan or any fan of classic movies. While it's not my favorite Hitchcock film, it holds its own amidst some very stiff competition (My favorite is a tie between "Rear Window" and "Psycho"). It's also aged very well, like a fine wine, or whatever they keep in the cellar.

One of Hitchcock's Finest

Absolutely quintessential Hitchcock! Ingrid Bergman plays the ideal "icy, cool" blonde that is central to most of Hitchcock's works and Cary Grant plays the debonair and suave agent who must deal with the "love vs. duty" theme. Listen for the popping of corks and pouring of champage as Hitchcock uses sound to build suspense at the party. Be on the lookout and see if you can find Hitchcock's cameo (like in all his other works!). Grant fans should check out Suspicion and North by Northwest, while Bergman aficionados should see Spellbound.

Wonderful movie, ahead of its time!

This is a WONDERFUL movie, capable of holding the attention of even the most MTV-minded "yoots" of today. If you've never seen a Hitchcock film, try "North By Northwest" first, then watch this! The cinematography is EXCELLENT (especially the famous "party shot") and after seeing this you'll know where Scorsecse got a lot of his ideas. Ingrid Bergam is lovely as ever, and Cary Grant is the suave, yet distant love interest. Lots of hidden stuff (especially the "kissing scene") and a GREAT behind the scenes story (use the 'Net to read up on the making of this), NOTORIOUS will NOT disappoint!

a wonderfully suspensful movie

I thought that this movie was a wonderful tale of romance and suspense. Grant and Bergman (who always make a great couple onscreen) were amazing in the lead roles and Hitchcock made every frame suspensful

Best Hitchcock Ever

If pressed mightily, I would choose 'Notorious' as my all time favorite Hitchcock film. It has everything: intrigue, romance, danger, misunderstanding, exotic settings, wealth and magnificence, patriotism, and more. The romance between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman is swoon-worthy and incredibly erotic despite the fact that all they do is kiss. The large supporting cast of character actors is superb without exception. The suspense of the wine cellar and rescue scenes is thrilling. There are many great Hitchcok films. 'Notorious' has to be in the top five.

Great

Alfred Hitchcock came flying out of the gates at the beginning of his American studio work with Rebecca and this movie, both classics. This movie is more of a suspense movie than Rebecca, and showcases many of Hitchcocks trademarks such as the Macguffin, and long takes that are extremely effective in communicating a point, not just showing off. Watching this movie, it becomes evident just how great Hitchcock is, even 60 years after being made, it still is more entertaining and thoughtful than most other movies. These movies don't age, and Hitchcock made entertaining movies that are classics, so it is a no-brainer, just buy it.

notorious - hitchcock's best suspense/romance

I'll make this brief, Notorious happens to be one of Hitchcock's best suspense/romance films. The story of a imfamous party girl with questionable country alliances becomes a spy for the usa and goes so far as becoming involved with the enemy for uncle sam's sake. Against her own will and the man she loves (Cary), she does things against her better judgement. I won't say any more, so as not to ruin the wonderful Hitchcock plot. Although i will take acception to Brick King's review that Cary Grant was somehow showing disgust in his scenes with Ingrid Bergman. The dichotomy of an intelligence agent that has feelings for someone who may be willing to commit treason shows a level of acting that cary grant fans were not use to seeing. I think what Mr. Kng's saw as disgust towards Ms. Bergman was a geniune character struggle by Mr. Grant, worthy of an oscar nomination.

The Key of Suspense from Alfred Hitchcock

Hitchcock's 1946 "romantic" thriller stars Ingrid Bergman as the daughter of a Nazi spy living in the United States convicted of treason. Bergman an amorous and promiscuous playgirl who is reluctantly conscripted by an enigmatic American espionage agent Cary Grant, finds herself in more peril than she bargained for on her assignment in Brazil. This has always been considered one of Hitchcock's better thrillers, however personally I never found it that intriguing even though I am a Hitchcock enthusiast. I even watched this film again before I wrote this review. For me it seems a bit out of step from his other films. In a strange way it jumps ahead to a style Hitchcock employed in 1969's "TOPAZ." For me it lacks romanticism. There are love scenes just as there are in "TOPAZ." Equally as in "TOPAZ" the actors just seem to be going through the motions in these passionate scenes. However, there is no lack of acting talent in either film. Hitchcock's intent of the histrionics is for his actors to give as realistic performances as possible and downplay the dramatics. The characters in both films are spies and live their lives from day to day never knowing if this one will be their last. People leading such lives must learn to go on with detached indifference and suppress any feelings of emotion and love. Both Bergman and Grant turn in excellent performances. This is not the same Cary Grant audiences were used to seeing. He let none of his own personality surface and just played the character as written. He remains always distant and aloof in his scenes with Bergman. We can only read the disgust on his face when Bergman is off camera of his true feelings for her. Bergman playing off his aloofness also suppresses her love for him when both are on camera together. So there is a romantic theme in the film but it is not visually provocative as in other Hitchcock films because of the constraints of the film's plot. That is what makes it look so different from his other films. We also see shades of "PSYCHO" present in this film. Claude Rains as the aristocratic Nazi Alexander Sebastian has a similar quixotic relationship with his mother as Norman Bates has or had with his. One highlight of the film is underrated composer Roy Webb's beautifully written theme. From a technical standpoint Hitchcock once again pulls off an impressive and notable camera shot, somewhat similar to a shot he later used in "Marnie." Hitchcock brings the camera from the top of a stairway overlooking a huge cocktail party in Claude Rains' sprawling mansion and slowly moves through the guests right up to the "key" that is in Bergman 's hand. The close up of the "key" is a crucial one for that "key" physically and symbolically unlocks the secret disguised in Claude Rains' mysterious wine cellar. This film is Hitchcock's most underplayed and seductively sensuous. It is never overtly romantic yet remains absorbing and suspenseful. However I still do not think it looks like your typical Alfred Hitchcock film.

great

This film, while not Hitchcock's best, is far from his worst. The plot moves along at a nice even pace. Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman give marvelous performances as usual, but to me the gem of this movie is Claude Rains. The man is excellent in his Nazi role. He plays Sebastian as subdued but dangerous, controlling but easily manipulated by everyone.

The last scene is simply thrilling and is worth watching the whole movie for that long walk down the stairs. Watch for the signature cameo and the shot of Grant seen from an angle in the doorway with the light behind him. Oh, so very Hitchcockian.

Oh, if you happen to get the video with the trailer on it, I suggest not watching the trailer. There is a clip in it from the last ten minutes of the film. Not a shot, a full clip. Too much was given away in my opinion.

Notorious DVD Correction

A word about the transfer in response to Mike Jory's review. The full frame transfer of this movie is the complete picture. Widescreen movies weren't introduced until 1953. (There are a handful of exceptions but Notorious isn't one of them).

A Classy, Suspenseful Noirish Romance....

....one of Hitch's best, done in fabulous classic B&W, gives that other film Bergman and Rains star in (you know? "Casablanca"!) a run for its money as far as having great romance, intrigue, suspense. Best scenes:Cary carrying Ingrid down the stairs and out the mansion and the wine cellar scene. It verifies why Mumsy oughta live somewhere other than with you...

Hitchcock's Notorious

Here are Hitchcock, Grant, Bergman and Raines at their very best. A classic in every sense. This is Hitchcock at his most creative: extraordinary photography, superb performances and a haunting, enigmatic story wrapped up as an exciting thriller. Don't even think about seeing it if you never have - just see it.