The 39 Steps

1959

Comedy / Crime / Drama / Mystery / Thriller

8
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 68% · 3 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 68% · 500 ratings
IMDb Rating 6.6/10 10 2667 2.7K

based on novel or book chase remake murder on the run

Plot summary

In London, a diplomat accidentally becomes involved in the death of a British agent who's after a spy ring that covets British military secrets.

Director

Ralph Thomas Photo
Ralph Thomas

Top cast

Duncan Lamont Photo
Duncan Lamont as Kennedy
Harry Towb Photo
Harry Towb as Harold
Michael Brennan Photo
Michael Brennan as Detective on Train
Sam Kydd Photo
Sam Kydd as Train Steward
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
796.04 MB
962*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 26 min
Seeds 4
1.44 GB
1442*1080
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 26 min
Seeds 5

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by tonypeacock-1 7 / 10

Watch it standalone, ignore the Hitchcock comparisons

The main thing that springs to mind when watching this 1959 film, is the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock directed version. It puts this film at a disadvantage which I think is unfair.The 1959 version is in my opinion a highly watchable, colourful! Adventure featuring several facets of interest which I will briefly touch on:1) The cinematography is of course colour and the location photography in locales such as the Scottish countryside is a delight.2) The performance of Kenneth More as the character 'Richard Hannay' is unashamably English. More was a popular British actor of the period and I think he does well here.3) The production if of course in an era long before CGI (thankfully!) and relied on techniques such as rear screen projection especially of scenes on the Firth Railway Bridge. They are actually quite good for the time.Look out for some cameos by British stars of the time. I'm thinking of the late Sidney James.All in all a decent watch from the period.
Reviewed by robertconnor 7 / 10

A Feast Of Cameos

From the perspective of 2007, British cinema in the 1950s appears more notable for its supporting players rather than its leading lights, and Thomas's remake of The 39 Steps is no exception... look beyond Moore's 2D Hannay and we find a delicious roll call of character turns: De Banzie's aging nympho', Brook's enigmatic 'spook', Cruickshank's foolish sheriff and especially Joan Hickson's hilarious turn as Miss Dobson, all giggling gawkishness with sensible hair and shoes (look at Miss Marple, and then review Hickson's cinematic career - a real unsung hero if ever there was one). Even the schoolgirls on the train are familiar (Carol White became Loach's Poor Cow; Stranks was a 70s 'Magpie' presenter).Not a patch on Hitchcock's original nor the faithful 1978 interpretation, but as a snapshot of British 50s cinematic talent it's a must!
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