Rating: 
Summary: Another step.
Review: This special Criterion DVD edition of "The 39 Steps" is good, but not brilliant. It's lacking a bit in sharpness, but it's still without a doubt the best looking transfer out there, and until we see a better one it will have to do.
Rating:
Summary: Hopefully not the best it can look.
Review: This film is great, we all know that, so I won't bother you too much with endless "Hitchcock is a genius"-talk. Instead I'll say a little about one of the featured actors, and review the DVD itself and its content/quality. Frank Cellier who plays the sheriff in "The 39 Steps", was an interesting British character actor I've become aware of only quite recently. He was often cast in rather small supporting roles, and the sheriff part here is extremely small. -Two short scenes, to be precise. Hitchcock liked to work with the same actors again and again, but I wonder why he only used this tremendously carismatic actor in this one film, and never again. -This leads me to the picture quality of the Criterion DVD I'm reviewing here. Quite recently I saw a superb new print (on tape, no less !!!) of "The Man Who Knew Too Much" that just left me breathless. -Made the year before "Steps", it looked absolutely brilliant and a million times sharper, brighter and cleaner than this particular Criterion print of "Steps". -This minor "disappointment" regarding this DVD of "Steps", also prevents me from giving it 5 stars, but I live in the hope that we're yet to see the ultimate "Steps" some day. (-1936's "Sabotage" is another Hitch gem that never looked too crisp either, but worthy of a clean-up also.) Finally, I'll just say a few words about commentator Marian Keane's rather mediocre talk on the commentary track. It's one of those commentaries that mostly reflect on the obvious; that's the storyline and what we see on screen. My favorite kind of commentator gives us some background info on all the performers, and what went into making the film. Keane talks in an almost erotic (!) voice, as if she's reading aloud from some cheap romantic novel. (-Maybe it's her usual style, but let's just say she's no Bruce Eder.) One odd comment in particular had me almost falling down from the couch, when she proclaimed that the suspicious glare of the farmer Crofter through the window at his young wife and Hannay, "clearly" indicates that he (Crofter) is impotent! That's a new one to me, indeed. -I always just saw him as someone highly suspicious of all strangers, that's all. She also seem to lay way too much importance on every single shot in the film. Granted, Hitchcock's thrillers are seen as genius movie-making now (and rightfully so), but foremost I believe he was just trying to make good entertainment and suspenseful movies every time. He succeeded like few other directors have, surely that doesn't take a genius to see.
Rating: 
Summary: One of his earliest and finest works
Review: Well this is just another piece of evidence that proves Hitchcock as one of the greatest directors(if not the greatest)of all time. Once you've seen five minutes of this gem you know it's going to be great all the way through. However, It does'nt have as much depth as some of his other movies. It's more humorous and Charming then it is suspencefull. But it has a great balance of the three. There is virtualy no music at all in the film, witch is suprising to me.If you like 'Spell Bound' or 'Suspicion'you should like this.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Value
Review: This is a must buy for anyone who is an avid Alfred Hitchcock fan and doesn't want to spend the extra money for the Criteron editon. The picture and sound aren't perfect, but it's definitely watchable. This is a worthy addition to any classic or Hitchcock collection.
Rating:
Summary: After a couple steps you will know this film is great!
Review: I had never seen this film until recently. I only knew Hitchcocks later classics and this one is as good as many of them. I love this film. It is fast paced, its got the atmosphere and more. A great classic spy/mystery/suspense and more from the 30's.
Rating:
Summary: Early Hitchcock Classic!
Review: Sublime fun. Filled with lots of intrigue, light comedy and fluffy romance. Lightweight fun that's hard to beat. Extremely enjoyable. Robert Donat is spectacular as Hitchcock's 'innocent man on the run', a Canadian tourist who gets way over his neck when he gets entangled with an ultra-secret spy ring called the 39 steps. Madeleine Carroll gives a priceless performance as the beautiful but problematic 'blonde' (notice that Hitchcock, even in his early films, preferred the 'blonde goddess look', that would later be immortalized by Kim Novak, Eva Marie Saint, Grace Kelly and Janet Leigh) who melts under Donat's charm and is thrilled by the rush of the chase. Filled with many memorable episodes sprinkled with light comedy and witty dialogue. But Hitchcock added two unforgettably surreal elements that linger in the mind long afterwards, a missing finger and a music-hall performer that does his job a little too well. From a scale of 1-10 I give this film a 9!
Rating:
Summary: "The 39 Steps" As It Should Be Seen
Review: A stylish blend of mystery, romance and light humor, "The 39 Steps" is one of Alfred Hitchcock's finest achievements. Unfortunately, the public-domain status of this 1935 classic has resulted in plenty of inferior video copies at cheap prices. Avoid them! You're better off purchasing the Criterion release, which features a stunning 35mm print and some nice bonuses. "The 39 Steps" represents the highpoint of Hitchcock's British period and should be seen in the best possible quality. In terms of value for money, the Criterion version remains second to none. Accept no substitutes.
Rating:
Summary: The First of Hitch's Masterpieces
Review: The 39 Steps is one of the earliest examples of Hitchcock's impending greatness. For those who are casual fans of Hitchcock's more well-known work, the 39 Steps is an enjoyable addition to the Hitchcock compodium. For those who are serious students of the director, The 39 Steps is a must have work of brillance and an unequaled example of Hitchcock's artful skill. While the production values may not be up to the standards of Vertigo or The Birds, the direction is flawless. The 39 Steps is one of my favorite Hitchcock films, second only to Rear Window, and well worth the cost of the Criterion Edition.
Rating:
Summary: Criterion is eccellent.laserlight version is average.
Review: I don't know who praised the laserlight version of this film(perhaps a shareholder?)but my advice is-don't be fooled,get the Criterion version.The Laserlight version is a cheaply made copy with poor sound and a reasonable but much less clear picture.Criterion has made a quality print of a fine classic film and that is the one to get.
Rating:
Summary: Laserlight Edition a bargain
Review: For those of you concerned that Laserlight's inexpensive DVD of "The 39 Steps" might be lacking in quality, you needn't worry. The transfer was made from a good print, the picture and sound is fine, and there are even a few modest extras (including a trailer from the similarly-themed "North by Northwest" and a friendly, if not very illuminating, introduction by Tony Curtis). I'm sure the Criterion edition surpasses this Laserlight DVD in a number of areas, but fans who just want a nice solid copy of the film to enjoy from time to time should know that this inexpensive version is perfectly acceptable. I look forward to sampling more of the Laserlight DVDs of Hitchcock's early classics.
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