Review of The Manxman (1929) by Tim H — 16 Nov 2007

So that's where that story came from! (Okay, so that's where the story was first remade. YOU CAN REMAKE A MOVIE 1929 FROM 1916? I'm pretty sure there were a lot of fresh stories ready to be made!) Okay, I love Hitchcock. I love him so much that I lurve him. He's my favorite director. Even the weaker films are still amazing. I even love the British films. That said...

Wow, I'm glad they developed sound. Not that I have a problem with silent film, because I don't. I love Metropolis, Pandora's Box,M, etc. But the master of suspese wasn't very suspenseful at the time. Heck, this movie is a straight up melodrama.

But here's the rub! Hitch still impresses me with this movie. He makes a very pretty picture using crazy locations and absolutely nerve wrenching moments. I actually screamed "Aw helllllll naw" at a film that was shot in 1929! That's gotta say something.

I watched this movie before I watched The Ring. (Not the one with the kid down the well.) There is some funky acting in silent movies....I'll put that out there. But I have to give Lionsgate credit. These movies look absolutely fantastic. I have the public domain version of this movie and I'm happy that this version came out as well because those things are pieces of crap. But before I give Lionsgate too much credit, realize that the true heroes in this release is Studio Canal+. Good on you, French gentlemen!