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39 Steps (Alfred Hitchcock)
Phoenix Lazarus
Posts: 17,306 Forum Member
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Just watched this on YouTube. In some ways, a little bit slow and dull by today's standards. On the other hand, the absence of an excess of loud background music, stunts, rapid cutting about, violence and flashy hi-tech gadgetry is refreshing in comparison to today's thrillers. The scenes out on the Scottish moors at night were extremely atmospheric, as well.
I've heard the novel on which the film was based was actually very different to the film, and also the central character, Hannay, appeared in several other novels, in which he was a secret agent. It is never actually stated what he does for a living in the film, or why he has come to England temporarily from Canada, as the film makes clear he has.
Anyone else seen this film (as if a film by Hitchcock will have been unwatched by visitors to a film sub-forum!)?
I've heard the novel on which the film was based was actually very different to the film, and also the central character, Hannay, appeared in several other novels, in which he was a secret agent. It is never actually stated what he does for a living in the film, or why he has come to England temporarily from Canada, as the film makes clear he has.
Anyone else seen this film (as if a film by Hitchcock will have been unwatched by visitors to a film sub-forum!)?
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Liked the Robert Powell version too. Apparently closer to the book, although suspect the clock face Harold Lloyd stuff at the end wasn't in the book? The Hitchcock version definately brings back memories of the days the BBC used to regularly show old films during the day. Cosy times.
Snap - mine too(and I put Psycho and The Lady Vanishes 1st and 2nd as well). I must admit that when I first saw The 39 Steps - I didn't get it. But on a re-watch many years later - I did. It's Hitchcock's best "man on the run" film. Most of it was shot in a studio - you can hardly tell. The most tense bit is the
Added to stripecats list I would put the new trick of wiping from the shot of Hanney, the girl and the two police impersonators in the back of the car, ( studio shot) using the side of the car to wipe to the outdoor shot of the car driving away down the road making it look like one continuous shot as though the camera had pulled out of the moving car window as it turned the corner.
You probably have to see it to understand what I am blathering on about.
He was the grand master and invevtor of many camera tricks taken for granted now.
I thought he had made his fortune by mining in Africa and was, therefore a gentleman of leisure. I thought he was visiting England on business.
The Robert Powell film version of the story is also quite good. Some great outdoor shots of Scotland.
I did like the Hitchcock one - but I actually prefer the 1959 version with Kenneth More. The version with Robert Powell is also very good.