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There is much debate about the various merits of each one, but the 1935 original with Robert Donat was directed by Hitchcock and is a classic. Whether as a misguided homage, or out of sheer laziness, this version copies much of that film down to the sets and individual shots but has adopted ... Read review
While it's true that this 1959 screen adaptation ofThe 39 Stepspales in comparison to ... more
Alfred Hitchcock's seminal 1935 version, it's still a thoroughly enjoyable romp that compensates for a lack of any tension whatsoever with a generous dose of genial g...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
While it's true that this 1959 screen adaptation ofThe 39 Stepspales in comparison to ... more
Alfred Hitchcock's seminal 1935 version, it's still a thoroughly enjoyable romp that compensates for a lack of any tension whatsoever with a generous dose of genial g...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
The second version of John Buchan's classic thriller sees Kenneth More (Reach for the Sky) ... more
as the innocent man caught up in international intrigue. Richard Hannay meets a young nanny and takes her back to his flat. He soon learns she is not all that sh...
Set in 1914, this suspenseful action thriller is much closer to John Buchan's original ... more
novel than Hitchcock's classic version.Colonel Scudder (John Mills), a member of British intelligence, discovers a plot to assassinate the Greek Prime Minister and trigger a war. After two of his colleagues are murdered, Scudder takes refuge with Richard Hannay (Robert Powell). Caught up in international intrigue and murder, Hannay soon finds himself on the run from the conspirators and the police.Featuring a marvellous cast of British characters actors and a nail-biting climax set on the face of Big Ben!
Richard Hannay gets caught up quite suddenly on a dull London afternoon in a situation of ... more
extreme danger. Before he knows what is happening he is the obvious suspect for a murder committed in his own flat, and has to go on the run to his native Scotland.
Adventurer Richard Hannay has just returned from South Africa and is thoroughly bored with ... more
his London life - until a murder is committed in his flat, just days after the victim had warned him of an assassination plot that could bring Britain to the brink of war.
Richard Hannay has just returned to England after years in South Africa and is bored with ... more
his life in London. But then a murder is committed in his flat, just days after a chance encounter with an American who had told him about an assassination plot which could have dire international consequences.
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: K.C. Bascombe - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jesse James, Rachel Skarsten, Charles Powell, Linda Purl, Kevin Zegars
Advantages: Now in Multi-Colour Disadvantages: Not directed by Hitchcock
With the 'Thirty Nine Steps' you are spoilt for choice - there is the Robert Donat version from the 1930's this Kenneth More film from the 50's and then the Robert Powell cover from the 70's. Although all three are based on the John Buchan novel, written around 1915, they all vary in the way it is portrayed, but all are equally enjoyable and available on DVD.
There is much debate about the various merits of each one, but the 1935 original ... ...of that film down to the sets and individual shots but has adopted the use of colour not readily available in the 1930s. Arguably, the the latest version is said my some to lack the wit and charm of its p
In any case, this is a classic British spy mystery set in 1914 and Europe is on the brink of war. Richard Hannay gets more than he bargained for when he brings home a mysterious woman who confesses to be a British agent on the hot ... more
With the 'Thirty Nine Steps' you are spoilt for choice - there is the Robert Donat version from the 1930's this Kenneth More film from the 50's and then the Robert Powell cover from the 70's. Although all three are based on the John Buchan novel, written around 1915, they all vary in the way it is portrayed, but all are equally enjoyable and available on DVD.
There is much debate about the various merits of each one, but the 1935 original with Robert Donat was directed by Hitchcock and is a classic. Whether as a misguided homage, or out of sheer laziness, this version copies much of that film down to the sets and individual shots but has adopted the use of colour not readily available in the 1930s. Arguably, the the latest version is said my some to lack the wit and charm of its p
In any case, this is a classic British spy mystery set in 1914 and Europe is on the brink of war. Richard Hannay gets more than he bargained for when he brings home a mysterious woman who confesses to be a British agent on the hot trail of a dangerous spy ring. The woman is killed in Donat's apartment and he immediately finds himself on the run, burdened with the charge for her murder and the dangerous knowledge of her mission. His only chance to clear his name is to discover the secret of the mysterious "39 Steps and there follows an exciting series of hair's breadth escapes as the plot twists and turns towards an exciting final conclusion.
If like some people you have an aversion to watching black & white films, then this is the perfect solution to viewing what some describe as one of Hitchcocks finest. Then again, why not join the debate and acquire of all three!
DVD Special feature - Theatrical Trailer
- 1978 directed by Don Sharp with Robert Powel - 1935 directed by Alfred Hitchcock with with Robert Donat
Advantages: Classic, Clever, Intriguing, Scenery. Disadvantages: No high speed chases, no gadgets, few special effects (but that's ok!!)
One of my favourite films! The ThirtyNineSteps is a classic everyday-hero-vs-spy race against time, set in the period of 1914 just before the outbreak of WW1. This is my favourite version on the film, which is based on a novel by John Buchan, and stars Robert Powell as the enigmatic Richard Hannay, the everyday hero.
The Plot.
Richard Hannay is a mining engineer who is spending a few weeks in his native Britain before returning to South Africa. One day he is called upon unexpectedly by one of his neighbours, one Colonel Scudder, who has been compiling information about a group of spys who are intending to coordinate an assasination on British soil. Unfortunately Scudder is assasinated himself and responsibility for the information he has compiled passes to Hannay. The police believe that Hannay is involved in Scudders' death ...
Advantages: Brilliant acting, enjoyable soundtrack, exciting, well made Disadvantages: None
of the planned assassination to attempt to prevent it and prove his innocence.
There have been three films made of this story, written by John Buchann and first published in 1915 by William Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh.
The book is a gripping read, and this film, made in 1978 and starring Robert Powell, is not far off.
This film is the closer to the original than the other two, who both use a music hall scene with a Memory Man to find out the truth behind the thirtyninesteps.
That isn't to say this version is completely loyal - there are some obvious changes and omissions, but it is enthralling all the same.
At first, Robert Powell seems a bit distant from his character (Richard Hannay), but gives a better and better performance as the film progresses. His acting in the hospital scene was incredible and I felt myself being affected by ...
Buchan's classic story of a plot to assassinate the Greek Prime Minister and precipitate the outbreak of war.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
ITV DVD; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date
07/07/2003
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
37115 04203
Barcode
5037115042033
Languages
Main Language
English
Hearing Impaired Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Theatrical Trailer
Aspect Ratio
4:3
Sound
Dolby Digital Mono
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital Mono English
DVD Description
Kenneth More stars as Richard Hannay in the second cinematic version of the classic John Buchan novel, THE 39 STEPS. When Hannay meets a young nanny, who is later murdered, he finds himself the prime suspect and on the run. His only chance to clear his name is to discover the secret of the mysterious "39 Steps."
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