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Foreign Correspondent

Play trailer Poster for Foreign Correspondent 1940,  1h 59m,  Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 95% 41 Reviews Tomatometer 81% 5,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
95% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Crime reporter John Jones (Joel McCrea) is turning in nothing but dull copy. His editor, unhappy with his work, hopes a change of scenery will be the thing Jones needs to get back on track. Re-assigned to Europe as a foreign correspondent, Jones is very much out of his element. When he stumbles on a spy ring, he feels ill-equipped to unravel the truth alone, and he seeks help from a beautiful politician's daughter (Laraine Day) and an urbane English journalist (George Sanders).
Foreign Correspondent

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Alfred Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent features a winning combination of international intrigue, comic relief, and some of the legendary director's most memorable set pieces.

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Critics Reviews

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Kim Newman Empire Magazine Nov 3, 2020
4/5
Heavy-handed but still poignant patriotism in this Hitchcock thriller. Go to Full Review
Keith Phipps The Dissolve Feb 20, 2014
4.5/5
It's such an entertaining film that it's almost possible to forget its didactic agenda, which is certainly part of the point. Go to Full Review
Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Mar 27, 2009
This film contains one of Hitchcock's most famous set pieces -- an assassination in the rain -- but otherwise remains a second-rate effort, as immensely enjoyable as it is. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 11, 2025
3.5/4
While Albert Bassermann earned an Oscar nomination for a somewhat hammy turn, the best performance comes from George Sanders, atypically cast as a fearless and resourceful hero rather than the cads and scoundrels he generally played. Go to Full Review
Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Jan 6, 2024
This is Hitch doing a fleet, action-packed thriller. His love of set-pieces and landmarks makes the most of London and Holland, where the windmills become a natural location for dangerous business. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Mar 5, 2022
4/4
The film can be seen as more than simply escapism but an entrenched anti-Nazi statement by a seemingly apolitical filmmaker. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Feb 1, 2019 The best thrilling movie ever made!
Finn S Nov 27, 2018 A spy thriller from Hitchcock which is fascinating in part because of its timing, with the world right on the cusp of war â" and in fact, it appeared in theaters in America just as the Battle of Britain began. Itâ(TM)s a propaganda film, and much as itâ(TM)s difficult to see those advocating peace or expressing optimism as being naïve, clearly it was on the right side of history. Itâ(TM)s a little awkward in some of its mechanics, melodramatic in its love story, and dubious on a central plot point, that thereâ(TM)s a secret clause in a treaty with vital national security information, not written down and only memorized by a single man on each side. You have to look past some of that to enjoy the film. There are several fantastic scenes, which (without spoiling them) include those on the steps leading to the conference and later inside a windmill in the Netherlands, at the top of Westminster Cathedral Tower, and in the airplane flying back to America towards the end. The film also has a strong cast, including Joel McCrea, Herbert Marshall, George Sanders, and Laraine Day. See more
Rey R Sep 15, 2018 Foreign Correspondent features a number of suspenseful moments in a variety of locations and circumstances. However, I feel like Hitchcock could have trimmed some fat from this film. The moments between the memorable parts tend to drag and even get bogged down in politics. Still, this is a well-crafted movie. See more
Albus L Sep 2, 2018 I can't say that any of the characters, including the main ones, are particularly engaging or interesting, but thankfully, the story is. Full of intrigue, mystery and a non-stop adventure for the protagonist that keeps you (and him) on your toes, there aren't many dull moments to be had. And thanks to the wonderful direction from Hitchcock, as well as some truly lovely set-pieces and cinematography, it's very nice to look at, too. See more
Anakin L Jul 9, 2018 Joel McCrea stars as an American crime reporter sent to Europe to cover the pre-WWII situation. He stumbles on a plot involving a political assassination, a kidnapping and a plot by the enemy to get a jump in the war that's soon to be. Hitchcock could make fairly routine thrillers really hum with energy and this is a prime example. In other hands it would be forgettable. Although some of that has to do with Hitchcock's direction, a great deal of the credit belongs with the very solid supporting cast ... Herbert Marshall, George Sanders, Robert Benchley and Edmund Gwenn all have prominent roles. See more
Poe M Jan 14, 2018 A bad Hitchcock movie that nearly put me to sleep. As much as I wanted to like it for its American patriotism I can't vouch for this. Very overrated! (First and only viewing - 1/14/2018) See more
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Foreign Correspondent

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Movie Info

Synopsis Crime reporter John Jones (Joel McCrea) is turning in nothing but dull copy. His editor, unhappy with his work, hopes a change of scenery will be the thing Jones needs to get back on track. Re-assigned to Europe as a foreign correspondent, Jones is very much out of his element. When he stumbles on a spy ring, he feels ill-equipped to unravel the truth alone, and he seeks help from a beautiful politician's daughter (Laraine Day) and an urbane English journalist (George Sanders).
Director
Alfred Hitchcock
Screenwriter
Charles Bennett, Joan Harrison, Ben Hecht, Robert Benchley, James Hilton
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Walter Wanger Productions, Inc.
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 16, 1940, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 19, 2016
Runtime
1h 59m
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