The 39 Steps Reviews

(OK) Anticipation of "The lady vanishes", the same speed and humour and 'I'm not that man believe me' stuff, great imagen as tha woman with the paper and the knive in her back...

Since I'm a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock's work, I was really eager to check this flick. Apparently, it is his oldest movie I have seen so far (almost 80 years old now!) and, I must confess, I'm not a huge fan of his very old British features. I mean, they are old pretty good and entertaining, that's for sure, but except for 'The Lady Vanishes' which really impressed me, none of them actually blew me away and this movie was not an exception. It seems that it is a very popular story since it has been adapted 4 times already and, apparently, this version is the most acclaimed one. Basically, it is one of those many British spy movies Hitchcock made back in those days and even though I enjoyed it, I couldn't shake the thought that he was still rehearsing before creating all his masterpieces he made in the 40's and the 50's. Still, this movie is considered as a major British film of its time so I might re-watch it at some point in the future to make up my mind for good. To conclude, even though it didn't really blow me away, it is still a very entertaining vintage spy feature and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you are interested in Hitchcock's work.

Robert Donat no doubt was the King of the 30's. He was one of the best talents to hit the screen with such delicate and precise acting that leaves you in wonder. A charming, graceful actor and a talent beyond it's time.

Robert Donat appears in this Hitchcock classic as Richard Hannay, a man wrongfully accused of murder and must prove his innocence in a sure-fire Oscar role. Accompanying him is the beautiful Madeleine Carroll as Pamela. Even for it's time The 39 Steps was a little salacious such as Pamela taking off her stockings and Hannay putting his hand on her thigh and such but that's Hitchcock and he can do anything!

Also, this is one of the many films of Hitchcock which has the theme of an innocent man on the run and is greatly told and is no wonder why It's one of the best British film. Also, according to me, this could very well be the forerunner to the James Bond films that arrived 30 years later. Secret organization, agents, sidekick girls with a hero, reluctant or not, in the lead... Oh, well!

In conclusion, one of Hitchcock's best films and if you're not aware of Robert Donat or want to know more, then start with this one!

"The 39 Steps" was one of Alfred Hitchcock's early British film successes before he left for Hollywood where he achieved even greater fame and celebrity status. The story begins with Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) enjoying a variety show at a London theatre when he meets a mysterious young woman named Annabella Smith (Lucie Mannheim) who is in trouble and seeks his help. He takes her back to his flat where she gives him some important information about a gang of spies who she says are trying to kill her. (Hannay: "It sounds like a spy story". Smith: "That's exactly what it is"). During the night she is indeed murdered with Hannay of course the chief suspect. Although innocent he goes on the run from the police taking a train to Scotland. During the train journey he meets Pamela (Madeleine Carroll) who initially thinks he is a killer but later reluctantly teams up with him when they get to Scotland and she eventually believes his story and realises that he is innocent after all. They get involved in many dangerous situations together and are trapped in one tight corner after another while trying to avoid both the villains and the police. They return to London to attempt to solve the mystery where the film reaches a dramatic but satisfactory conclusion. "The 39 Steps" was remade in colour in 1959 with Kenneth More and again in 1978 with Robert Powell but neither of these remakes can compare with the original black and white Hitchcock version. For anyone who might be interested in spotting Hitchcock's regular cameo appearance this comes quite early in the film as Hannay and the girl he meets at the theatre board a bus to go back to his flat. (Hitchcock is seen as a passer-by throwing some litter into the street). I rate this as one of Hitchcock's most entertaining films with the popular "innocent man on the run" theme he was so fond of.
Favourite lines:
Wylie Watson (Mr Memory): "Am I right sir?".
Lucie Mannheim (to Robert Donat): "I had to get away from the theatre quickly. There were two men there who wanted to kill me".
Mannheim (to Donat): "Have you ever heard of the thirty nine steps?".
Donat (to Madeleine Carroll): "There are 20 million women on this island and I've got to be chained to you".
Donat (to Carroll): "May I ask what earthquake caused your brain to work at last".

This film was the first clear creative peak in Hitchcock’s British period, and the first fully successful film in his deepening oeuvre.

This film introduced one key Hitchcock first: the notion of the wrong man, the innocent bystander accused, pursued or punished for a crime he didn’t commit.

Nonstop string of action sequences, chase scenes punctuated by witty dialogue and riveting suspense.