The 39 Steps Reviews

A Classic

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.

Very Amusing

This is a classic Hitchcock film.

However I've only rated it three stars because it totally doesn't do justice to the original story that it?s based on. The 39 Steps is a brilliant classic novel, that?s complex and well worth reading. However the basic elements in that story do make a good starting point for this film, unfortunately that is it as it turns out to be a slight little story.

However it is full of thrilling spy moments and lots of excellent dark humour, which kept me amused throughout. There are also plenty of those trademark interesting camera effects and shots. Also (for the unobservant reviewer) the Man himself does make one of his trademark cameos.

A plus also on this DVD is the documentary on Hitchcock's early years in filmmaking, which was very interesting.

So if you forget that this is meant to be the story of the 39 Steps, despite the title, then this is definitely worth renting. Especially for all those interested in Hitchcock. It's a good example of his earlier work.

Wonderful, amazing, gripping

This was the 1st Hitchcock film I've really watched and I was absolutely amazed. It was incredibly dated - people look very strange when running etc - but it didn't matter one jot. I found this film absolutely gripping and compelling virtually from the start. Hitchcock is a genius and it is now my mission to start watching some more of his masterpieces. I would highly recommend this film to anyone.

Classic adventure

Having read the book 'The 39 Steps' several times I was intrigued to know what Hitchcock would make of this very well-known adventure story, as most of his viewers would know every twist of the story already. His solution was to change the story considerably, introducing (for example) the famous scene on the Forth Bridge, and several female characters who are not in the original. The result is fast-moving, gripping and satisfactory, providing you weren't expecting to see a film version of the book! There is also an interesting extra, a short documentary on Hitchcock's film-making.

This is like a bad school play

Classic is a word often used when describing an old film. But this film reminded me of sixth formers on a wobbly school set, which perhaps could also be called classic, but that wouldnt invoke the high number of stars this film claims in its headline review. It is perhaps harsh to cricise a film that is so old and loved like this..... But it's just so hammy.... There is for example a distinct delay between the pressing of light switches and the assistant switching on the light in one scene and the lines make you cringe like a period newsreel voiceover. I would suggest if you want classic stick to the book.

Great Film!

Rarely does a film so old stand the test of time as '39 Steps' did. I've yet to be disappointed by a Hitchcock film, as I work my way through his collection.

Hitchcock was Hitchcock in the 50's, we knew that. But Hitchcock was also Hitchcock in the 30's, making great films such as this one. A Must see!

dj152@aol.com

awesome!!

An abject lesson in filmmaking.

Brilliant acting, plot full of suspense - a classic that you should rent now!!!!!

tony.

This is a classic and must see early Hitch. Its fascinating to see how many of the dramatic ruses he uses in the film to build tension turns up in his later work. One difference though, you don't get to see the master doing his usual cameo appearance.

Robert Donat is undoubtedly the inspiration for Harry Enfield's Cholmondley-esque characters in this cheesy early Hitchcock film. I'm convinced Hitchcock does indeed do a cameo: it's just that maybe we should be looking for someone young, thin, and with hair, rather than a fat old perv. The Memory Man's dying scene is an absolute classic.

Through seeing this movie I learnt the true meaning of the word 'classic'. Try and remember the Smashing pumpkin's video 'Tonight Tonight', this movie is filmed just like that, but better. It was such a pleasure to watch it's so authentic I felt like I'd entered a time warp, brilliant!