- Actors: Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim, Godfrey Tearle, Peggy Ashcroft
- Directors: Alfred Hitchcock
- Writers: Charles Bennett, Ian Hay, John Buchan
- Producers: Ivor Montagu, Michael Balcon
- Format: Black & White, DVD-Video, Special Edition, NTSC
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: U
- Studio: Criterion
- DVD Release Date: 2 Nov 1999
- Run Time: 86 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
- ASIN: 0780021967
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 23,711 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
A high point of Hitchcock's pre-Hollywood career, 1935's The Thirty-Nine Steps is the first and best of three film versions of John Buchann's rather stiff novel. Robert Donat plays the rancher embroiled in a plot to steal British military secrets. He finds himself on the run; falsely accused of murder, while also pursuing the dastardly web of spies alluded to in the title. With a plot whose twists and turns match the hilly Scottish terrain in which much of the film is set, The Thirty-Nine Steps combines a breezy suavity with a palpable psychological tension. Hitchcock was already a master at conveying such tension through his cinematic methods, rather than relying just on situation or dialogue. Sometimes his ways of bringing the best out of his actors brought the worst out in himself. If the scene in which Donat is handcuffed to co-star Madeline Carroll has a certain edge, for instance, that's perhaps because the director mischievously cuffed them together in a rehearsal, then left them attached for a whole afternoon, pretending to have lost the key. The movie also introduces Hitchcock's favoured plot device, the "McGuffin" (here, the military secret), the unexplained device or "non-point" on which the movie turns. --David Stubbs
Amazon.co.uk Review
A high point of Hitchcock's pre-Hollywood career, 1935's The Thirty-Nine Steps is the first and best of three film versions of John Buchan's rather stiff novel. Robert Donat plays Richard Hannay, who becomes embroiled in a plot to steal military secrets. He finds himself on the run; falsely accused of murder, while also pursuing the dastardly web of spies alluded to in the title. With a plot whose twists and turns match the hilly Scottish terrain in which much of the film is set, The Thirty-Nine Steps combines a breezy suavity with a palpable psychological tension. Hitchcock was already a master at conveying such tension through his cinematic methods, rather than relying just on situation or dialogue. Sometimes his ways of bringing the best out of his actors brought the worst out in himself. If the scene in which Donat is handcuffed to co-star Madeline Carroll has a certain edge, for instance, that's perhaps because the director mischievously cuffed them together in a rehearsal, then left them attached for a whole afternoon, pretending to have lost the key. The movie also introduces Hitchcock's favoured plot device, the "McGuffin" (here, the military secret), the unexplained device or "non-point" on which the movie turns. --David Stubbs
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
63 of 63 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I watched this on a rental last night and I am very glad I did not buy it! The film is fantastic with humour, great actors and stunning cinematography for its time. However the transfer is very, very poor. After seeing some great remasters recently, this is very disappointing indeed. As mentioned by the other reviewers, the picture lacks detail, contrast, stability (it wobbles a lot) and has significant damage. The audio is also very poor. Both the video and audio elements need a lot of work. Unless there's a vastly improved re-issue, I cannot recommend this Blu-ray at all. Very sad.
67 of 68 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a fan of this 1935 classic, I was so looking forward to this HD release. With the exception of the aspect ratio on Thunderbirds, ITV blu-ray haven't put a foot wrong so far. This release breaks that record. A candidate for the worst HD release ever. What went wrong?. No restoration, print damage evident all the way through, no contrast, greys instead of rich blacks and picture so soft, it could almost be a VHS tape converted to HD. Avoid this like the plague and purchase the excellent Criterion DVD instead. The picture quality on this blu-ray release really is that bad. ITV, hang your head in shame at this travesty of a disc..
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Without a doubt, this is the best Hitchcock chase movie, and certainly one of his most enjoyable. Many may be put of by the somewhat shaky production values and the age (I was), which makes the film seem tremendously old. Coupled to this, Robert Donat's hair and moustache does the film no favours. However those who turn a blind eye to this gem will kick
themselves. The film IS better than North By Northwest. Now I have watched the latter film 3-4 times since, but I cannot shake the feeling it is somewhat overrated but by just. It is still an excellent film, but by no means up there with his best. The 39 Steps is better. The story has better pacing, a wittier interchange between the 2 leads (and from the supporting characters - i.e. the 2 gentlemen in the train) and some subtler comedy substances. Plus the fact the locations are moodier - London, and dark, misty Scotland! The chemistry between the two leads is phenomenal much better than in North by Northwest, and yet, is based purely on the their mental and verbal interactions rather than their physical.
themselves. The film IS better than North By Northwest. Now I have watched the latter film 3-4 times since, but I cannot shake the feeling it is somewhat overrated but by just. It is still an excellent film, but by no means up there with his best. The 39 Steps is better. The story has better pacing, a wittier interchange between the 2 leads (and from the supporting characters - i.e. the 2 gentlemen in the train) and some subtler comedy substances. Plus the fact the locations are moodier - London, and dark, misty Scotland! The chemistry between the two leads is phenomenal much better than in North by Northwest, and yet, is based purely on the their mental and verbal interactions rather than their physical.
There are also some great touches such as that famous sound cut to the roaring train when the first murder is discovered, and just the small, finer creative flourishes littered throughout the film (including an early great continous cut in the car, somehting he would try later in Rope). These touches add so much to the enjoyment value if you can appreciate them. The set pieces, although more brief and low key compared to his later films, they complement the story to no end. They all fit in with the natural flow of the film as opposed to being flamboyant showpieces. For me North by Northwest is a more glossier affair and is a great example of the stereotypical Hollywood romance including the long gazes, passionate kisses, and reliance on star charisma to give charisma.
The 39 Steps is something special and deserves to be in the BFi's greatest list. Certainly at LEAST as good as the THIRD MAN - okay I lie, its better. Thats how good this is. While not as deep or psychologically complex as some of his other works - for pure entertainment, atmosphere and storytelling its hard to beat. What I like about Hitchcock, is the fact that he was always in it for good, intelligent entertainment (fused with creative art) - and certainly the amount of interest and exhaustive examination into who Mr Hitchcock was, is utterly pointless - people need to spend more time watching his films, rather than partaking in pointless exercises. The 39 Steps is the most entertaining, fun and thrilling film I have ever witnessed. A masterpiece in every sense of the word.
PS the similarities of this film to 1942s Saboteur (an underrated Hitchcock movie) are extraordinary, if it were not for the fact that both films are made by him it would be plagiarism. Similarities extend to the device with the handcuffs, the somewhat feisty and hysterical blonde, journeys to the middle of nowhere to confront the mastermind, and the way the main protagonist is helped by locals who are all too quick to place faith in believing him.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Thirty Nine Steps Trip Up
The DVD arrived promptly,unfortunately about two thirds of the way through it failed completely. I tried it on other laptops but the same thing happened,it therefore ended up as an... Read more
Published 1 month ago by harkforrard
Splendid, old boy.
Very few films can boast real, believable, chemistry between a male and a female lead. Hithcock's two stars here are excellent and thier relaxed, naturalistic performances are way... Read more
Published 4 months ago by CLINT McGAVIN
DVD sound very poor
I bought the non-Blu Ray DVD and the sound on that too was very poor.
I tend to think only people deeply interested in the history of film could give this 5* today. Read more
I tend to think only people deeply interested in the history of film could give this 5* today. Read more
Published 7 months ago by D. J. Keyworth
39 Steps
A classic! Considering the technology available for making films in those days, Alfred Hitchcock does a very good job of emanating the mystery and drama. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Raymond Pembroke
Hitchcock's the best!
Having recently purchased and viewed all the four generally available versions of this Buchan story one realises the crafting that Hitchcock put into his work. Read more
Published 10 months ago by moneyshelly
Great film, Poor sound.
It might seem strange to rate something 3 stars and then complain about the sound quality, but that's because it would have been 4 or 5 if I was rating just the film itself, which... Read more
Published 10 months ago by WinkingMan2011
The thirty-nine steps
A real classic masterpeice from Alfred Hitchcock - better than any of the remakes thus far! Pacy, amusing, exciting - the cast are fantastic. Worth watching over and over again...
Published 11 months ago by jrjb
Vital scene is missing
Great film but this DVD version is missing the chase along the roof of the train, possibly the most famous part of the film and a complete let-down. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Michael Joseph
Alfred Hitchcock At His Early British Best!
I will never ever get bored of this film. This film's novelty never wears off with repeated viewings and so what if it was made in the mid-30s - so were plenty of brilliant... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Melissa
The 39 Steps
This is one of the most wonderful movies ever made. It will charm the pants off you. And the stage play is currently playing at The Criterion Theatre in the centre of London. Read more
Published 19 months ago by AngusM
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