North by Northwest by Alfred Hitchcock

In the following example, the essay is about “North by Northwest” by Alfred Hitchcock. Read the introduction, body and conclusion of the essay, scroll down.
Alfred Hitchcock uses a number of techniques throughout his Academy Award nominated picture, North by Northwest. This ensures the viewer stays on the edge of their seat for the film’s duration and further solidified Hitchcock as the master of suspense that he is known as today. Of these techniques, music and sound, narrative structure and camera use are integral in the creation of suspense.

Essay Example on North By Northwest

The use of sound and the lack of it at moments during North by Northwest are key suspense techniques employed by Hitchcock. Music and sound helps the audience sense tension and trouble and is an indication of what is to come in the scene. When background music begins to speed up and becomes louder the viewer is alerted of an approaching climax and most, if not all, suspenseful scenes of the film contain these characteristics.

For example, in the Mount Rushmore scene, which sees Thornhill and Kendall navigating the cliff face, there are loud drums and a fast paced rhythm that helps to draw the audience. If the scene didn’t contain background music, as well as other suspenseful moments, the viewer would not feel anywhere as much and their anticipation as to what is going to happen next would not be the same.

North by Northwest’s narrative structure is also used to produce suspense.

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