Review of The Lady Vanishes (1938) by Laurence T — 27 Jul 2007

Aside from the beautiful settings, inticing situations in tandem with the "tut, typical" British reactions to them, a welcoming structure and fine performances and interactions from the actors, the main attraction of this film is the intangible feeling that you've almost been there before, and are therefore faintly nostalgic as you can never go back. The Lady Vanishes is the sort of warm and witty (no pun intended) spy thriller that you couldn't recreate for all the warmth and wit in the world nowadays.

Hitch, our favourite auteur and artist, is responsible for this effortless combination of light pre-war comedy and highly suspenseful, almost Cold War-esque thriller. On paper this sort of amalgam seems like a nightmare for a director, but the concept is putty in the hands of the master. The mis en scene is tight and aethesthetically pleasing without being completely prosaic, and the fantastic script is handled with care. And, of course, it's British, oh so very British, to the point if it were any more so it might conquer a quarter of the globe and discuss it cordially with you over crumpets.

This isn't the sort of film that's going to leave you with new philosophies and outlooks on life, but it might remind you that life itself is a train ride. That and to check the cricket score as soon as you get home.