Review of The 39 Steps (1935) by Daniel K — 05 Nov 2007

"The 39 Steps" is Alfred Hitchcock's film about a man who unexpectedly becomes involved in a plot involving foreign agents. The man, Richard Hannay, quickly finds that the only way to stay safe is to remain on the run.

Robert Donat convincingly plays the man on the run, Richard Hannay, and is along the way joined Pamela, charmingly played by Madeleine Carroll. Another performance of note is that of Peggy Ashcroft, who is enchanting as a stranger that aids Richard.

Even though the film's overarching premise is a spy story, ultimately the spy story is of secondary importance to showing a man on the run. I didn't mind that the spy story was ultimately even treated comically, but for me the film could have been more interesting by including more twists during Richard's almost constant fleeing. Hitchcock's more polished "North by Northwest" (1959) follows similar lines to this film, but benefited from having more intrigue interspersed into the "man on the run" story. However, the end scene concluded the spy story nicely and was very clever and surprising.

However, that is not to suggest that this film's "man on the run" story is ineffective. On the contrary, this film successfully mixes suspense, humor and romance to remain engaging. There are no dull moments in the chase, even if there could be more intrigue, and a number of exceedingly amusing moments such as Robert's ad hoc political speech. "The 39 Steps" is an absorbing thriller film from earlier in Hitchcock's career.