I have a National Diploma in Animal Management. I enjoy cycling, walking, reading, calligraphy, phot...
I have a National Diploma in Animal Management. I enjoy cycling, walking, reading, calligraphy, photography, dog training and behaviour and loads more!
Member since:18.08.2007
Reviews:29
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It's 1914 and Richard Hannay has just returned to Britain for a short visit from South Africa where he has worked as a mining engineer.
He hasn't been in Britain long before a neighbour, Colonel Scudder, appears at his apartment door, pushes his way in, threatens him with a gun and tells him that Carolides - the Greek Prime Minister - is to be assassinated by Prussian agents. If this were to happen, World War would immediately break out.
Scudder uses Hannay's apartment to hide for a day or two while he finishes his work. Unfortunately for Scudder and Hannay, Scudder is murdered and Hannay is the immediate suspect, with very little hope of being able to clear his name. To avoid being hung for murder and treason, he escapes to Scotland where he is hounded by the Police and the foreign agents.
Here he tries to work out the details 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 thirty nine steps.
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 the drug I hadn't been given.
His performance is outstanding and it was odd for me to see him in a serious role (after watching him act alongside Jasper Carrot in The Detectives).
John Mills also gives a brilliant - if shortlived - performance as Colonel Scudder.
I was glad to see the woman (Alex Mackenzie, played by Karen Dotrice) wasn't portrayed as some useless bimbo for once! She was quick-witted, brave and very helpful.
As for the soundtrack, I found it extremely enjoyable and relevant. It worked really well as is the sort of thing I like.
This is one very exciting, enjoyable film which is very well made. I will definitely be watching it again!
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Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Ian McShane, Dudley Sutton, Phyllis Logan, Chris Jury, Malcolm Tierney
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
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 t...
It is 1914. Europe is on the brink of war. London seems peaceful enough but a dangerous ... more
conspiracy is underway... Colonel Scudder of the British Intelligence has unearthed a plot to assassinate the Greek Prime Minister on a visit to London and thus p...
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Aug 26th, 2007
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