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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
Product Description
Alfred Hitchcock's most celebrated British thriller, adapted from John Buchan's novel. Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) becomes the victim of mistaken identity when a female corpse is dumped in his flat by a spy ring. He tries to track down the true murderers whilst being pursued by the police, and hooks up with an unwilling accomplice (Madeleine Carroll). Their adventure eventually leads them to a music hall, where the secret of the 39 steps is revealed. Also included is the documentary 'Hitchcock - The Early Years'.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
102 of 105 people found the following review helpful
By R. Shore
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..
82 of 85 people found the following review helpful
By Dr T
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.
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
The transfer is a step up from the previous Carlton/Granada/ITV DVD releases and more detail is visible in the image. However, the film desperately needs restoration work and a transfer with better quality contrast. If you don't own the film on DVD at all, then this Bluray is worth considering, but don't expect a reference quality transfer.
If you own the Criterion DVD, then you're probably not going to notice much difference between the ITV Bluray and that DVD upscaled. Plus, the Criterion transfer has much better contrast.
In terms of extras, you get:
- audio commentary from Marian Keane (from the Criterion DVD)
- "Hitchcock: The Early Years" documentary
- short "On Location" ITV programme, with Robert Powell
- stills, on set photos, posters & publicity
Overall, a disappointing release of a early Hitchcock masterpiece.
If you own the Criterion DVD, then you're probably not going to notice much difference between the ITV Bluray and that DVD upscaled. Plus, the Criterion transfer has much better contrast.
In terms of extras, you get:
- audio commentary from Marian Keane (from the Criterion DVD)
- "Hitchcock: The Early Years" documentary
- short "On Location" ITV programme, with Robert Powell
- stills, on set photos, posters & publicity
Overall, a disappointing release of a early Hitchcock masterpiece.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
The 39 Steps (Alfred Hitchcock, United Kingdom, 1935) - Blu-ray Edition
3 Oct 2010
Format:Blu-ray
Specifications: -
Case - Standard U.K plastic Blu-ray case (14mm spine)
Disc - 25GB, MPEG-4 AVC encoded, Region B locked.
Video - 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio in a 16:9 frame (black bars appear at the sides of the picture), Black & White, 1080p/24fps.
Audio - Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono.
Subtitles - Optional English.
Supplements -
Commentary by Hitchcock scholar Marian Keene.
'The Art of Film: Vintage Hitchcock' Featurette (29mins in SD).
The Lux Radio Theater Adaptation (60mins -audio only).
'On Location' Featurette presented by Actor Robert Powell - (13mins).
Photo Galleries.
Censorship?: No censorship cuts have been made at all since the films release. The BBFC passed the film with a U Certificate, and the film does contain some very mild violence.
One of the best pre-world war II Hitchcock films, and also one of the first to incorporate the 'wrong man' theme. Even after 75 years since its release its still an enjoyable yarn, with some fine acting (for the time) and excellent cinematography.
The picture looks okay (but not brilliant) considering the films age and source material. Theres noticable grain throughout and it looks slightly sharper than the dvd edition but contast levels and blacks are very weak. Theres also some noticable artefacts in some scenes and the ocassional blurriness. This film needs a good re-mastering/re-storing. I know this is an old film but with a little re-mastering it could look pristine (see The Masters of Cinema's 'Fritz Lang's M' blu-ray for example)
The audio is bad. No lossless 2.0 mono just a bog standard Dolby Digital. I had to turn the volume up and down on my sound system very high just to hear the dialogue in some scenes - very frustrating.... Read more ›
Case - Standard U.K plastic Blu-ray case (14mm spine)
Disc - 25GB, MPEG-4 AVC encoded, Region B locked.
Video - 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio in a 16:9 frame (black bars appear at the sides of the picture), Black & White, 1080p/24fps.
Audio - Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono.
Subtitles - Optional English.
Supplements -
Commentary by Hitchcock scholar Marian Keene.
'The Art of Film: Vintage Hitchcock' Featurette (29mins in SD).
The Lux Radio Theater Adaptation (60mins -audio only).
'On Location' Featurette presented by Actor Robert Powell - (13mins).
Photo Galleries.
Censorship?: No censorship cuts have been made at all since the films release. The BBFC passed the film with a U Certificate, and the film does contain some very mild violence.
One of the best pre-world war II Hitchcock films, and also one of the first to incorporate the 'wrong man' theme. Even after 75 years since its release its still an enjoyable yarn, with some fine acting (for the time) and excellent cinematography.
The picture looks okay (but not brilliant) considering the films age and source material. Theres noticable grain throughout and it looks slightly sharper than the dvd edition but contast levels and blacks are very weak. Theres also some noticable artefacts in some scenes and the ocassional blurriness. This film needs a good re-mastering/re-storing. I know this is an old film but with a little re-mastering it could look pristine (see The Masters of Cinema's 'Fritz Lang's M' blu-ray for example)
The audio is bad. No lossless 2.0 mono just a bog standard Dolby Digital. I had to turn the volume up and down on my sound system very high just to hear the dialogue in some scenes - very frustrating.... Read more ›
20 of 22 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.
... Read more ›
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for anyone seeing the 39 Steps on stage.
Really good Boys' Own type film. Acting wooden, sets wobbly but great story and great package. Kenneth Moore version used to be my favourite, but this one has overtaken it.
Published 3 days ago by Mr. J. Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great quality blu-ray dvd
Have wanted this on bluray for quite a while. Thrilled with the quality of it as it is a very old classic film.
Published 23 days ago by Bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hitchcock's Masterly Espionage Template
This 1935 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock (which was based on John Buchan's novel of the same name) is, for me, one of the most brilliantly made and (for its time) innovative... Read more
Published 28 days ago by Keith M
1.0 out of 5 stars
Always read customer reviews
Note to self in future: always read customer reviews on amazon before purchasing anything new. I love this film and jumped at the chance to buy in blu ray, having missed the fact... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Elham Valley Man
5.0 out of 5 stars
The master at work
Hitchcock adapts John Buchan's novel into an effective action adventure chase film which works on every level. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Martin Thomas
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fun early Hitchcock
Firstly, I liked the period atmosphere of this movie. Splendid snapshots of the thirties include the music hall scenes, the train journey and the political meeting. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Iain C. Davidson
1.0 out of 5 stars
Another Bluray that won't play
This bluray won't even play in my Panasonic bluray player.
Very disappointed with old movies still released in region-protected formats.
Very disappointed with old movies still released in region-protected formats.
Published 2 months ago by JP
5.0 out of 5 stars
love it
never saw the origanal all the way through i have now and it was fantastic' great value great service would use again
Published 3 months ago by Ian
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fine fine fine Fine fine fine Fine fine fine Fine fine fine Fine fine...
I'm not writing any more Fine fine fine Fine fine fine Fine fine fine Fine fine fine Fine fine fine Fine fine fine fine fine Fine fine fine Fine fine fine Fine fine fine Fine fine... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr.T
2.0 out of 5 stars
39 seteps Robert Donay
Poor quality production of this novel. It has little coherence with the original book and lacks a sense of excitement as other versions have. Read more
Published 3 months ago by drrdf
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