Foreign Correspondent Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A reporter walks into a windmill and chaos ensues, but mostly for the audience trying to figure out what’s happening.

🍿 Foreign Correspondent: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An American Reporter in Europe

Johnny Jones (Joel McCrea), a crime reporter for a New York newspaper, is sent to Europe by his editor, Mr. Powers, to cover the growing tensions and the possibility of war. Powers is tired of the dry, uninformative reports he’s been receiving. Jones is rebranded as ‘Huntley Haverstock’ to sound more impressive and is tasked with getting the inside scoop on the political climate.

The Van Meer Incident

Haverstock’s initial assignment involves interviewing diplomat Van Meer (Albert Bassermann), a key figure in peace negotiations. He meets Van Meer and Stephen Fisher (Herbert Marshall), the head of a peace organization, and Fisher’s daughter, Carol (Laraine Day). During a conference in Amsterdam, Van Meer is seemingly assassinated, leading Haverstock on a dangerous pursuit of the killer.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

Haverstock, along with Carol and fellow journalist Scott ffolliott (George Sanders), discovers that the assassinated man was an impostor and that the real Van Meer has been kidnapped. Their investigation leads them to a windmill where they find Van Meer drugged. Haverstock’s attempts to expose the truth are met with disbelief, forcing him to uncover a deeper conspiracy linked to Fisher’s peace organization.

Exposing Stephen Fisher

Back in London, Haverstock realizes that Stephen Fisher is the mastermind behind the conspiracy. He attempts to convince Scotland Yard but is unsuccessful. As war breaks out, Haverstock tries to protect Carol, who initially refuses to believe her father’s involvement. The climax sees them on a flight back to America when their plane is attacked.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• John Jones (Joel McCrea): An American reporter, initially ignorant of foreign affairs, who becomes entangled in an international spy ring while investigating the events leading up to World War II.
• Carol Fisher (Laraine Day): The daughter of a prominent peace activist who finds herself torn between her love for John and her loyalty to her father.
• Stephen Fisher (Herbert Marshall): The leader of the Universal Peace Party who is secretly a key figure in a Nazi spy ring.
• Scott Ffolliott (George Sanders): A British reporter who aids John in uncovering the spy ring and provides witty commentary.
• Van Meer (Albert Bassermann): A Dutch diplomat whose kidnapping sparks the investigation and exposes a conspiracy threatening European peace.
• Stebbins (Robert Benchley): The original foreign correspondent whom John Jones replaces, representing the apathetic attitude towards the rising international tensions.
• Rowley (Edmund Gwenn): A seemingly affable but deadly assassin hired to eliminate John Jones and maintain the secrecy of the spy operation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• John Jones: “Give me an expense account, and I’ll cover anything.” – Said by Jones when his editor asks him to become a foreign correspondent.
• John Jones: “Hmm… that cuts down our love scene quite a bit, doesn’t it?” – Jones jokes after Carol instantly reciprocates his declaration of love.
• John Jones: “Hello America, hang onto your lights, they’re the only lights left in the world!” – Said during a live radio broadcast from London as bombs fall, urging America to wake up to the war.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,500,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $4,000,000

💥 Foreign Correspondent Reviews

Personal Review

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! The suspense was incredible, and the scene in the windmill kept me holding my breath. Joel McCrea was fantastic, and the romance added a nice touch. It definitely made me appreciate classic thrillers even more.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Alfred Hitchcock”
  • “Lovers of classic spy thrillers”
  • “Those interested in pre-World War II history”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Brief torture scenes”
  • “Themes of war and espionage”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Hitchcock delivers a masterclass in suspense, blending thrills with subtle humor. Joel McCrea shines as the determined reporter, and the film’s timely message resonates even today. A must-see for any Hitchcock fan.
• The New York Times: “Foreign Correspondent is a gripping thriller that showcases Hitchcock’s innovative filmmaking. The windmill scene is a standout, and the finale is unforgettable. Despite its age, the film’s themes of espionage and political intrigue remain relevant.

Audience Reactions

The plane crash scene was absolutely mind-blowing for its time!: Viewers loved the mix of suspense, action, and humor.

Overall Consensus: A classic Hitchcock thriller that remains engaging and relevant, despite its age.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Alfred Hitchcock made a cameo appearance as a man reading a newspaper on the street.”
• “The dramatic plane crash sequence was achieved using miniatures and innovative special effects for the time, including a large-scale model plane and a water tank.”
• “The final radio broadcast scene was added late in production, prompted by the real-life bombings of London, to heighten the film’s urgency and relevance.”

🖥️ How to Watch Foreign Correspondent?

Foreign Correspondent is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Foreign Correspondent, you might like these similar films:

• The 39 Steps (1935): A classic Hitchcock thriller featuring an innocent man caught up in a web of espionage and international intrigue, similar to Jones’s predicament.
• Notorious (1946): Another Hitchcock film dealing with espionage and Nazi conspiracies, showcasing suspenseful storytelling and complex character relationships.
• All the President’s Men (1976): Features investigative journalism uncovering a political conspiracy, highlighting the importance of a free press, much like Jones’s mission to expose the truth.

🛒 Foreign Correspondent Related Products

• Foreign Correspondent (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A beautifully restored edition of Hitchcock’s classic thriller, featuring insightful commentary and behind-the-scenes features. A must-have for any serious film collector.
• Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection [Blu-ray]: This collection includes Foreign Correspondent and many other of Hitchcock’s best known films.
• Foreign Correspondent Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Perfect for adding a touch of classic Hollywood to any room.

🎧 Soundtrack

Foreign Correspondent features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Rule Britannia” – performed by Thomas Augustine Arne

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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