Good The 39 Steps reviews

The 39 Steps

1935

Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5

from 11,747 members

This classic British thriller was one of Alfred Hitchcock's first major international successes, and it introduced a number of the stylistic and thematic elements that became hallmarks of his later work. Richard Hannay (Robert Donat), a Canadian rancher on vacation in England, attends a music hall performance by Mr. Memory (Wylie Watson); in the midst of the show, shots ring out and Richard flees the theater. Moments later, a terrified woman (Lucie Mannheim) begs Richard to help her; back at his room, she tells him that she's a British spy whose life has been threatened by international agents waiting outside. Richard is certain that she's mad until she reappears at his door in the morning, near death with a knife in her back, a map in her hand, and muttering something about 39 Steps. Discovering that a group of thugs are indeed waiting outside, Richard slips away and takes the first train to the Scottish town on the dead woman's map. Richard learns that he's now wanted by the police for murder, and he must find a way to clear his name. He begins trying to do so with the help of a woman he meets en route, Pamela (Madeleine Carroll), who serves as his unwitting assistant, even after she tries to turn him in. The 39 Steps was later remade in 1959 and 1978 -- both without Hitchcock's participation.~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

The 39 Steps details

Formats:	U DVD, Blu-ray
Starring:	Lucie Mannheim, Godfrey Tearle, Helen Haye, Peggy Ashcroft, Frank Cellier, Wylie Watson, Madeleine Carroll, Robert Donat, John Laurie
Director:	Alfred Hitchcock
Genres:	Action/Adventure, Thriller - Horror
Studio:	ITV STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Collections:	100 Top Thrillers

Name	Discs
The 39 Steps	U Feature

DVD Information

Run time:	1 hour 18 minutes
Rental release:	13 Aug 2001
Main languages:	English
Hearing impaired subtitles:	English

Name	Discs
The 39 Steps	U Feature

Blu-ray Information

Run time:	1 hour 18 minutes
Rental release:	19 Oct 2009
Main languages:	English

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Most helpful review The 39 Steps

A Classic

By AlyT from Hertofrdshire , 05 Jan 2004

[Highly rated reviewer]

If you love an oldie, a brit flick, and something with cloak and dagger in it then this is the film that invented the 'Ordinary Guy becomes Hero' Genre.

The acting is fantastic and the plot is flawless. All I can say is that its a true British Classic film...one we will always be proud of.

Add it to your queue now.
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The 39 Steps

By a customer from Braintree , 13 May 2009

A Great Old film, well worth a watch if you like old movies.
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39

By polperro (2 reviews) from Dinas Powys , 24 Apr 2009

dated but still a good story
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not a classic

By bazm (22 reviews) from Lewes , 16 Apr 2009

Now I know where Harry Enfield got his character Mr Cholmondley-Warner from! I also expected Paul Whitehouse on stage saying 'have you seen me washboard!' The story starts with such an enormous plothole that disengages the viewer from the off and makes the whole film pointless (and there are others too).

Theres better out there than this
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Classic

By a customer from Enfield , 20 Feb 2009

Brillintly funny and clever. A wonderful Hitchcoco. The film quality is really poor though as the film is so old
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The 39 Steps

By Jamsie (1 review) from Dundee , 17 Feb 2009

This a truly awful film. The acting is hammy (even for the period) and the cinematography reminded me of the Keystone Cops. The more recent attempts to tell this story through film are much better.

I could not finish watching this film.
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