Review of The 39 Steps (1935) by William B — 13 Apr 2011
Alfred bloody Hitchcock...
What a man hey?
He literally put the F in Film, I think cinema would be very different if he hadn't had made films like Psycho, The Birds, Rear Window and The 39 Steps. These are all timeless classics that when I wacthed them realised that they are 100 times better than most of the bullshit that hollywood churns out every year: Boring, samey with a few expections.
But with old Hitchcock he simply couldn't really make a bad film, he saw the countless ideas that films that film makers of that time just couldn't see and he pluck them from his brain and made then into the best films of that year and probably of the decade...
The 39 Steps (As soon as I finished the viewing) was immediatly added to his long chain of classic films, and when I had watched the first ten minutes I was worried that Alfred had gone all soft of the difficult story plots and countless obstacles given for the characters, but then I saw the knife sticking out of the back of a woman...and well I was hooked.
This film combines huge scenes of slapstick comedy mixed with shock and confusion humour the mixed once more with the interesting thrilling plot which un folded slowly until BANG there it was right in your face almost like you knew all the time. Genius.
As well as the plot and comedy the lead actor, Robert Donat, performed a flawless performance of the posh london man accused of murder being hunted through of all scotland and somehow keeping his charm and nerves calm throughout his struggle. Then along with performance Madeleine Carroll (first on the train, then later on near the end) played the genius role of the 'crazy dame' handcuffed to Donat's character and once again causing him nothing but trouble but slowly realising that maybe this charming londoner wasn't a blood thristy murderer without any mercy. Dam Hitchy can we ever stop you?
A definite addition to a list of films YOU should see, and a definite addition to the list of the best British films of all time.
R.I.P Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (1980), never again will there be a director who can relly capture what a Thriller is really about. Peace out bro.
5/5.
This review of The 39 Steps (1935) was written by William B on 13 Apr 2011.
The 39 Steps has generally received very positive reviews.
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