Customer Reviews
Don't you realize that Americans dislike having their children stolen? - By: IWFIcon, 28 Aug 2008 
The arguments rage amongst Hitchcock fans as to which version of The Man Who Knew Too Much is the better, with no real clear winner being declared. I, personallly, prefer the first version but this 1956 attempt has much to recommend it as well.
The star power is certainly greater, with James Stewart giving his usual excellent performance as Dr Ben McKenna, whilst Doris Day packs a good set of lungs for the role of his wife Jo. One place where this film cannot compare with its predecessor however is in the villainous stakes. There is nothing in here to match Peter Lorre's performance from the earlier film and, to be honest, the main villain here (played by Bernard Miles) is weak, & his death particularly so.
The set pieces are wonderful (the chase at the Market in Marrakech, the scenes in Ambrose Chapel & the Albert Halll) & certainly crank up the suspense, but this has to be tempered with the fact that the film does take its time to get going and, as mentioned before, the villain's themselves aren't particularly memorable.
Ultimately though, even personallly preferring the original, I can see why people would prefer this effort. It's a much "bigger" movie & Hitchcock always said that whilst a "talented amateur" made the first one, this one was made by a professional. In many ways, you can see his point.
Thrilling... - By: Ogun Eratalay, 22 Apr 2008 This movie revolves around an assasination attempt of a prime minister of an unmentioned country visiting United Kingdom. The foreign guest does not know that the concert at Albert Halll will be a scene for a drama. By coincidence, an international plot is solved by an American family visiting Marrakesh.
I have enjoyed most Hitchcock films except "Torn Curtain" & "Rope" for different reasons. This movie is quite gripping but lacking the final touch. The Moroccon episode is quite thrilling but when we cross the sea & arrive in London the atmosphere becomes somewhat dull. The final scenes are much too long for me also. As for the actors, James Stewart is well suited for the Hitchcock series films. His style of acting deserves credit. I can not say the same thing for Doris Day as she - apart from the scene at the hotel room where she learns that Hank is kidnapped - can not roleplay as good as she sings. For Hitchcock to create musical parts just for her to sing is quite amusing also, in spite of the fact that she has won an Academy Award with the song "Que sera, sera". The villains in film do wonderful acting also; Brenda De Banzie especiallly.
All in alll, a good Hitchcock movie but it is not the best. If you are a beginner to Hitchcock try the "Rear Window" or my favourite "The Lady Vanishes" first.
Not one of the Master's best - By: Triestino, 09 Apr 2008 Definitely not one of the Master's best. The actors struggle hard with a stiff, plodding script, & though she tries her best & sings sweetly, Doris Day soon finds herself out of her depth. Unusuallly for a Hitchcock film, the plot seems poorly thought through, & is often unconvincing, with many implausible developments. The famous concert scene in the Royal Albert Halll works quite well, & is genuinely suspenseful, but it's followed by a long, dull, & weak final episode. If you're new to Hitchcock, give this one a miss & start with Rear Window instead. Or try the 1934 version, which is far & away a better piece of work.
An entertaining thriller - By: S J Buck, 18 Nov 2007 
Hitchcock's 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' is a remake of his own black & white film from 22 years earlier. By this stage of his career Hitchcock was at his peak producing classic film after classic film. Two years after this film Vertigo would follow, then North By Northwest & then Psycho. That this film isn't quite as good as those three doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it, as I'm sure it will benefit from repeated viewings & the great scenes (and there are quite a few) are stunningly good.
James Stewart plays Dr McKenna, who with his family is on holiday in North Africa when he unwittingly becomes involved in a murder plot. Stewart as always is very watchable & Doris Day is rather good as his wife. As always with Hitchcock there are a number of stunning set pieces which merit purchase of the film in their own right. Perhaps best of alll is the extended scene at the Albert Halll which is marvellously shot. I thought this was especiallly great as the film composer Bernard Hermann is seen conducting the Orchestra & is credited on the billboard outside the halll as well. Hermann did the music for Citzen Kane, Psycho, Taxi Driver & Cape Fear & its rare to see film of him.
For me its only real flaw was that it was a little too long. Still thats always subjective & if Hitchcock thought 1 hour 55mins was the right length who am I to argue with the master. So be of no doubt this is a film thats worth buying. It is also in the 14 film Hitchcock box set, which if you can get a decent price is a great buy as well.
One of his time fillers - By: Lou Knee, 12 Aug 2007 
This film starts very well with a gripping murder scene & some intriguing developments on location in North Africa. When the couple return to London, the viewer is reallly expecting a lot more suspense to be delivered by Hitchcock, but he seems to be a bit off form in this picture. His handling is not as intense as it usuallly is & I was feeling less intrigued than fed up waiting for the rather obvious type of ending. The story was there for it to be a much better suspense, but it sort of just fizzled out by the time the handover came. I agree that casting the too perfect Miss Day was an error. She is not a Hitchcockian female in the slightest. (I realise the focus of the film wasn't on her, but you want a female lead with a bit more mystery about her in any Hitchcock movie, as this is what you look for.) This should have been a much better film, but you just sense that Hitchcock had his mind on other more challlenging projects.
