Rating: 
Summary: Why 39 Steps?
Review: I like this movie, the characters are believable and sympathetic, the action is riveting, and there is enough suspense . . . but . . . why is the plot so convoluted. Why involve Big Ben and why don't the bad guys just take out the good guys in a more conventional manner. But it is a good movie anyway, even if the basic premise doesn't make sense to me, and I would recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: A genuine early masterpiece from Hitchcock
Review: This is Hitchcock's first genuine, inarguable masterpiece, in which he takes a noirish spy story and cranks up the action and tension to unprecendented levels.Several Hitchcock hallmarks that would recur in his later, more lavish Hollywood movies are first seen here - the innocent man being suddenly catapulted by accident into the sinister world of spies and secret agents is very much like his later North By Northwest. There's a train journey as there are in many Hitchcock films, and of course, the icy, mysterious blonde, in this case the excellent Madeleine Carroll. The 39 Steps contains many memorable, and much-copied scenes: the two leads (who at this stage in the picture, hate each other) being handcuffed together has been seen many times since. Then there's the excellent scene where Richard Donat has to get off the train while it is on a bridge. The script crackles. The dialogue is sexy by 1930's standards, reminiscent somehow of Bacall and Bogart in The Big Sleep - the electricity between Carroll and Donat is a joy to watch. It's all innuendo, of course, which is far steamier than being explicit about things - but I bet it initially troubled the censors all the same. The acting too is top-notch. Donat is superb as a kind of proto-type James Bond, all debonair and very, very English. The film may not have the budget or the scale of some of Hitchcock's later work but there's no doubting his way with a story; for a movie of its vintage The 39 Steps sprints along. We are right into the thick of the story within about three minutes of the opening titles and it never lets up. It's action-packed. It's a great yarn. And the extras on the DVD are informative and interesting - although you'll probably only listen to the commentary once. It's the film that's the keeper; you'll play that, and enjoy it, dozens of times. A genuine masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: Takes All The Right "Steps"
Review: There are those who will agrue forever and a day about which Hitchcock was better. The American Hitchcock ("Rear Window", "Psycho", & "Rebecca") or the British Hitchcock ("The Lady Vanishes", "The Man Who Knew Too Much") and this film "The 39 Steps", often thought of as the best of Hitchcock's British films. In my personal opinion I like the American Hitchcock. His Britsh films, while very entertaining always seem to have smug characters. Maybe it's just because of who is playing the parts, but, I never find myself opening up to them. And his dry wit sometimes gets in the way of the over-all story. The entire set-up with Donat and Carroll handcuffed together would have fit perfectly in a screwball comedy. In fact if I remember correctly wasn't there a scene in "I Was A Male War Bride" that is quite similiar? Anyway, Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" is one of his best early films, my favorite of the British movies is "The Lady Vanishes". It has his favorite theme, the innocent man wrongfully accussed, as Robert Donat trys to prove his inncence when a woman is found dead in his apartment. She was a secret agent who brought Donat into her confidence regarding information concerning "the 39 steps". That same night two villians murder her, and now Donat, who knows what her next move would be must go find her contact and prevent the enemy from taking secret documents out of the country. Or as it is known throughout the film as "the thing". "The 39 Steps" based on a novel by John Buchan and written by Charles Bennett and Ian Hay does contain those moments of wit Hitchcock's films were known to have, and as I said before the handcuff scene could have been taken from a screwball comedy. Hitchcock directs the film with confidence as he keeps the story moving along nicely. It never has a boring moment. And the movie is just shy of ninety minutes. I also like the performances given by the two leads, Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll, who plays a woman who somehow gets mixed up in this whole affair on accident. Alfred Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors, and while I admit I don't think this is his best movie, it is still one that proves to entertain its audience. If your interested in seeing some of Hitchcock's early British films, "The 39 Steps" will prove to be a treat. And if you enjoy it please check out his other films such as "The Lady Vanishes" and "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (which is slightly better then the James Stewart remake). Bottom-line: One of Hitchcock's early British films has moments of dry wit and excitement. Perhaps not his best film, it is still entertaining. Worth a look if your a Hitchcock fan.
Rating: 
Summary: DISMAL TRANSFER OF A HITCHCOCK CLASSIC
Review: Alfred Hitchcock's initial British period in film-making proved to be a brilliant foray to his days in Hollywood. In "The 39 Steps" Hitch' perfectly captures the auora of swinging London and its music halls - except that this time they are the scene for murder mayhem and, one of Hitchcock's classic touches, the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. Robert Donat stars as that wrong man, forced to trek all over the British country side with a rather obstenant, Madeleine Carroll. TRANSFER: Criterion needs to atone for this one. Granted "The 39 Steps" was a film in genuinely bad shape, before this DVD came out. But this DVD is not "pristine" or "sparkling" - I can't remember which - as Criterion advertises it to be. Contrast levels are still low. There's an incredible amount of camera flicker in almost all of the scenes. Fine details are lost in darker scenes and only marginally visible during the brighter ones. There's also a limited amount of edge enhancement and shimmering of fine details to contest with. This is not an outstanding restoration or even a mediocre one. When I think of "pristine" and "sparkling" Warner Brothers' "Mildred Pierce" comes to mind. "The 39 Steps" is no Millie!!!
Extras: Fluff stuff - a bunch of written essays that are really, really boring. A documentary on Hitchcock's British period that is not comprehensive and is using source material found under a hay stack in Sussex. And this is what Criterion wants consumers to pay upwards of $40-$60 bucks - depending on the retailer. FORGET IT!
BOTTOM LINE: No way! No how! Not yet, any way!
Rating:
Summary: Raw, Influential, Early Hitchcock
Review: I must admit I am not a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock, particularly his later American work. I am more one to appreciate a good epic with some historical, literary, or social significance (like Lawrence of Arabia, Oliver Twist, or Mr. Smith Goes to Washington). Hitchcock's work, while usually entertaining, is rarely if ever encumbered by such weighty significance. That said, I did want to find a Hitchcock movie or two to complete my DVD collection, and this, along with Rebecca, are both on my list. The thing that most struck me about this film was its obvious influence on the recent blockbuster The Fugitive. The scene in Scotland where Robert Donat walks with a parade to allude the police was shamelessly lifted 100% by The Fugitive. The scenes with the river and waterfall were also extremely reminiscent of Harrison Ford's dam jump scene from that film. Also, I thought the interaction between Donat and Madeleine Carroll, although not as completely developed, was as delightful as Gable and Colbert in It Happened One Night. The scene where Carroll takes off her stockings whilst handcuffed to Donat was particularly notable in this regard (provocative stuff for 1935, and still fun to watch). Finally, I felt that the historical background of the film, regarding the impending conflict between Britain and Germany (both implied in the plot and later played out in real life) gave it just a nice bit of significance value. The 39 Steps certainly lacks the more developed and aerodynamic plot turns of Hitchcock's later work, but in my opinion, it was more fun. The Criterion DVD has plenty of extras which may be of some value to Hitchcock junkies. The image quality has not received the Jeanne D'Arc treatment, but its good enough. The only thing I would have liked to have seen were some Spanish subtitles for when I watch movies with my latino friends.
Rating:
Summary: Great Hitchcock
Review: Hitchcock considered "The 39 Steps" to be the culmination of his work in Britain, just as "North by Northwest" was a culmination of his work in America. The movie is well-paced, Robert Donat is charming, and Madeleine Carroll is beautiful. The commentary by Marian Keane is very insightful as she points out Hitchcock's "signatures" as the author of his films. Why did he choose a high angle shot? Why are the characters composed the way they are? Why does the camera dwell where it does? This is the first commentary I have heard from Keane, and I was not disappointed. The Criterion Collection transfer is a little grainy, and the intensity is a little inconsistent. Criterion's transfer of Hitchcock's "Rebecca" is far more flawless. Nevertheless, it is comparable to other transfers they have done of movies from that period (i.e., a little less grainy than "Trouble in Paradise"). Overall, an excellent purchase, and one I would recommend for anyone who liked "North by Northwest" or who is interested in seeing how Hitchcock developed as a filmmaker.
Rating:
Summary: "Have you ever heard of the 39 Steps?"
Review: Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" is a rough template for much more superior efforts that the director would produce in the years to come. Yet this does not detract from the fact that it is still a quality film on its own. "The 39 Steps" begins with Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) attending a show featuring the recall talents of Mr. Memory (Wylie Watson). At the conclusion of the show, a mysterious woman (Lucie Mannheim) approaches Hannay and asks if she could accompany him home. Hannay agrees and soon finds himself embroiled in an espionage operation when the woman reveals her true identity. Matters become worse when she is killed and Hannay becomes a suspect in her murder. He flees and circumstances lead him to another woman (Madeleine Carroll) and a valuable "state secret" that must not fall into the arms of the enemy. The key to stopping its export is to figure out how the "39 steps" fit into the picture. "The Wrong Man" premise that Hitchcock would employ later in his career can trace its early roots to this film. The "MacGuffin" also is here in the form of the state secret. What is not here is the thematic complexity, symbolism, rousing music, and technical sophistication that would characterize Hitchcock's later films. "The 39 Steps" is a simplified straightforward suspense film that amuses but does measure up to "North By Northwest," "Psycho," "Rear Window," "Vertigo," and "The Birds." It is an example of the first baby steps Hitchcock would take in establishing his cinematic legacy. However, it must be remembered that early Hitchcock is still better than the efforts of many seasoned directors. In this regard, "The 39 Steps" is not classic cinema but is definitely entertaining cinema.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have for Your Hitch Collection.......
Review: One of his masterpieces! From 1935.. "The Thirty Nine Steps" has Hitch's trademark style all through it.An innocent man gets involved with spies and counter spies. He is at the music hall, watching a "Memory Act"(which is quite a scene in itself),there's a gun shot, panic erupts and everyone runs out. A mysterious woman attaches herself to him and comes home with him. She reveals she is spy and others are after her. She mentions the mysterious "Thirty Nine Steps", and the next morning he finds her dead. He goes on the run for fear he will be implicated in the murder and in order to prove his innocence he must uncover this spy ring on his own. His path is fraught with danger, suspense and of course a beautiful woman. It stars Robert Donat,Madeline Carroll(you know how Hitch loved those beautiful cool blondes!), and Lucie Mannheim(as Annabela the spy).Also look for his trademark staircase scene. Looking for Hitch: Less than 10 minutes in, you'll spy him. What a litter bug! A must have to add to any Hitch collection...enjoy...Laurie
Rating:
Summary: Classic Hitchcock Suspense!
Review: Richard Hannay visits the Music Hall to see a show where "Mr. Memory" displays his intellectual ability to answer random questions. During the show a brawl starts and someone pulls the trigger on a gun. All the visitors including Mr. Hannay escape the Music Hall after the shooting, once outside Mr. Hannay meets a young woman. The woman wants to go home with Mr. Hannay and it appears that the woman is a spy. She then tells him that she needs to go to Scotland and says something about 39 steps. Later that night the woman comes stumbling into Mr. Hannay's room and she has been stabbed in the back. 39 Steps is a suspenseful film that is both witty and intelligent and will entertain and baffle the audience.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting and edge-turning
Review: This breathtaking story of a man who sees an agent murdered and is chased by the police was one of Hitchcok's best movies, and I must say that it was such a good movie with no language and very little violence that it could be almost perfect for kids 10 or older. And as the story goes on, it gets more interesting and eventually seems funny. When Donat and Caroll are cuffed together, they seem to keep their wits up, and are really good at keeping secrets and staying safe. In the end, they really appreciate it. So, I hope you have the chance to watch this wonderful movie, because it is one of Hitchcock's best.
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