The Thirty Nine Steps Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Every second counts in the adventure of a lifetime!
A game of terror begins. The only clues... Are the victims.
The year is 1914 and Richard Hannay, Mining Engineer who is visiting Britain for a short time before returning to South Africa, is shocked when one of his neighbours, Colonel Scudder, bursts into his rooms one night and tells him a story that Prussian 'sleeper' agents are planning to pre-start World War I by murdering a visiting foreign minister. However, Scudder is murdered and Hannay is framed for the death by the 'sleepers'. Fleeing to Scotland Hannay attempts to clear his name and to stop the agents with the aid of Alex Mackenzie but not only is he is chased by Chief Supt Lomas for Scudder's death but by the agents who is headed by Appleton who has managed to hide himself in a high-placed position in the British Government...
| Robert Powell | Richard Hannay |
| David Warner | Sir Edmund Appleton |
| Eric Porter | Chief Supt Lomas |
| Karen Dotrice | Alex Mackenzie |
| John Mills | Scudder |
| George Baker | Sir Walter Bullivant |
| Ronald Pickup | Bayliss |
| Donald Pickering | Marshall |
| Timothy West | Porton |
| Miles Anderson | David Hamilton |
| Andrew Keir | Lord R |
| Robert Flemyng | Magistrate |
| William Squire | Harkness |
| Paul McDowell | McLean |
| David Collings | Tillotson |
| Don Sharp |
6.40 out of 10 (577 votes)
Visitor Reviews
A good yarn
posted on 31 Aug 2009A great film and underrated because of its predecessors over inflated significance. Robert Powell's finest hour and a great cast of actors and actresses. The period setting of very late Edwardian and early 1900's feel is very accurate and pleasing to the eye. The steam train and Big Ben scenes are magnificent. The characterization is superb and the acting first class. Making any other version very unlikely to reach the zenith of the performances in this dramatization.The Late Sir John Mills adds urgency and class to the film, and the scene where Scudder's identity is revealed to the Prussian agents outside in the street, outside his apartment, is brilliantly played, and draws us into the film and the musical score adds excitement, urgency, verve and great atmosphere and grace.The film's warning of impending war with Germany only adds to the fascination with the film, and through retrospect we know that the First World happens, but the film's message of British agents and anyone caught up in espionage, during these tense years. Only goes to show how Britain was buying time, and trying to hold off the advances of its rapidly catching up super-power neighbour, that was becoming Germany.The Grand finale at Big Ben at Westminster was a treat to watch.The film cannot be faulted, because everything is flowing in pure visual delight.
not to be taken serious!
posted on 31 Aug 2009Finally got to watch "39 Steps" with John Mills, David Warner etc! What a "Hoot". The entire production staff must have spent time in Northern Manitoba on a Reserve that was oversupplied with "Aeroplane Glue" and "Plastic Bags". I sure would like to talk with any one that was involved with this production. Those still alive must either cringe or break out in voluminous laughter every time the "39 Steps" is mentioned. The acting? Well let's be kind. We haven't seen this much "Ham" since Michael Flatley slapped all that bacon fat on his torso, greased his way into a pair of "Rubber Tights",donned a strange Bolero jacket with matching Head band,had his eyeliner permanetly tattoed and did a 100 yard step dance across a Las Vegas Show Stage. This is a classic tongue in cheeker! Sit back with your "Twinkies",pass the "Bong" and be prepared to "Piss Your Pants" A Definite "10"!! The period costumes especially the use of such a wide variety of "HATS" are well worth the price of admission! The steam locomotive trains,the Moors,the woods and "Harold Lloyd hanging from "Big Ben:" Go out, sell the farm and buy this "Great Video".
Not a Hitchcock remake
posted on 31 Aug 2009I read one contribution here stating quite correctly that this is not a remake of the Hitchcock film, it is an entirely different treatment of the John Buchan book.Where I thoroughly disagree with that reviewer though is in his comment that some parts of the Hitchcock film were 'stodgy', "particularly the crofter scene"! How he could say that is beyond belief. The crofter scene is BRILLIANT! It involves fantastic acting from all 3 in the scene (including a young John Laurie from Dad's Army) who convey amazing thoughts and emotions without dialogue simply with their eyes and small gestures. It is pure cinema and pure genius as is the rest of that film.The Hitchcock version is light years better than this as a film (near perfect actually) but is only loosely based on a few ideas from the Buchan novel. This is more close to the novel but still strays from its source, wrongly so in this case. The novel is very good but this film drags and is quite poorly directed. It loses most suspense or interest and is very disappointing, I think.
Remake of a story filmed in 1935 and 1959, closer in plot to the source than either of its predecessors.
posted on 31 Aug 2009I'm not a big fan of remakes. In particular, the act of remaking a film that is already considered a classic seems pointless. If the original is so good that everyone speaks highly of it, what's the point in trying to retell the story again? Surely a better idea would be for the remake brigade to pick films that had good potential first time round but didn't quite come off as well as they might. This 1978 adaptation of The Thirty Nine Steps is one of the few films, I think, that has valid justification for revisiting a story that had already found critical and commercial success in an earlier version. Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 version of the story was a truly outstanding film cinematically-speaking, but it was not a very faithful rendition of John Buchan's source book. The 1959 remake, with Kenneth More, merely copied the Hitchcock version. This third stab at the story, directed by Don Sharp and scripted by Michael Robson, is the first to go back to the novel and attempt to use the original plot closely and faithfully. For once, we have a remake that exists for a purpose:- to tell the story as envisioned by Buchan.Mining engineer Richard Hannay (Robert Powell) befriends a man named Scudder (John Mills) who is on the run from enemy agents in 1914 London. Scudder is murdered for his troubles, but not before passing a notebook on to Hannay and giving him a few clues as to the nature of the enemy. Hannay finds himself suspected of the murder and is forced to flee by train to the north, eventually eluding his pursuers by hiding from them in the rolling slopes of the Scottish wilderness. After various adventures, Hannay discovers that his enemies are actually German spies plotting a terrible atrocity in London. Aided by a lady he has picked up during his escapades, Alex Mackenzie (Karen Dotrice), Hannay attempts to foil the sinister plot, culminating in a terrifying fight on the face of Big Ben as the clock ticks towards a catastrophic disaster.Powell is excellent as the hero, and isn't upstaged (as one might expect) by the stellar supporting cast. (In fact, Powell went on to portray the character in a successful series on British TV a few years later). Good character work is provided by the likes of Eric Porter, David Warner, George Baker and John Mills, while Dotrice makes an agreeable leading lady. The period detail is evoked reasonably well throughout. The climax on the face of Big Ben has been frequently criticised - it is one of the only parts of the film that differs significantly from the events in the book, which is perhaps why purists have been quick to "knock" the sequence. However, I find the Big Ben sequence to be both exciting and memorable. If anything, the film's weakness is a lack of urgency during the opening half-hour or so. For those who make it past the slightly stodgy opening act, this emerges a very enjoyable and worthwhile retelling of Buchan's celebrated novel.
A Ripping Yarn
posted on 31 Aug 2009This is about as far removed from the Hitchcock version as you could imagine. For starters, instead of a beautiful female spy you get John Mills, (though his demise with a knife in his back in the arms of the hero in a public place might be taken as a tribute to "North by Northwest"; it's even got Hannay menaced by a plane on a lonely moor). It is, in fact, a reasonably faithful rendition of the book where Hitchcock's was a fanciful re-imagining, (and a good deal more fun), but it's no disgrace. Indeed as a Boy's Own Adventure it's thoroughly enjoyable; a Ripping Yarn in fact, with a splendid cast of British character actors, good use of locations and a spiffing climax involving Big Ben.Robert Powell's Hannay is considerably more po-faced than Robert Donat's, (he's too stiff to be a proper action hero), and comes over as a bit of a boor. Still, you wish him well and are happy to perch close to the edge of your seat as he dodges both the police and the dastardly Huns as he attempts to clear his name. Love interest, for what it's worth, is provided by Karen Dotrice, and whose character is an amalgam of Peggy Ashcroft's and Madeline Carrol's, but this is a film in which soppy girls needn't bother us; the heroes and villains keep it ticking along nicely.
Not really a remake
posted on 31 Aug 2009It's hardly fair to compare this to the Hitchcock version (which was made when Buchan was not yet a well-known author). I think the Hitchcock film is the better as a film, although there are a few stodgy moments (with the crofter, for instance), but lots of lovely visual ideas to compensate (the Bridge scene, the missing digit, and the ending). But Hitchcock's is not a filming of Buchan's novel. It's something quite different. The first remake (with Kenneth More) was a remake of the Hitchcock film, not the book. With this version, we were told it would be faithful to the original, but, yes, the ending is stolen from an old Will Hay film (which was very much before its time, with its black humour). So this is not really a remake of the Hitchcock film, but neither is it faithful to Buchan (which I must re-read). But it is enjoyable, the period feel is good, and I personally like Ed Welch's concerto score.
Pale Poor Imitation of Hitchcock's Classic
posted on 31 Aug 2009This is a dated and rather corny remake of one of Alfred Hitchcock's finest films. The plot is preposterous, Hannay for example jumps the London to Scotland train to avoid the police somewhere across the border and is within minutes tracked by his enemies, this despite being set in the 1st world war period when transport was severely limited. The music soundtrack is bombastic and over-egged ( I thought I was watching a 70's ITV drama serial,) but typical of British films in the 70's.The characterisation is either stereotyped or totally lacking in emotion. David the fiancé of the female lead is murdered and she shows no sign of mouning or trauma smiling at her new love Hannay over a "cup of breakfast tea" Robert Powell was a matinée idol and this vehicle was all abhout showcasing him and taking advantage of his then UK popularity.End scene at Big Ben is the signature moment and is spectacular. The best past of this below par work.
Cinematography, acting and pace outstanding
posted on 31 Aug 2009cinematography, acting and pace outstanding. Better than the Hitchcock original (and I thought it was superb also). Where can I obtain a DVD or VHS? John Buchan's novel is tweaked a bit to bring the plot to a more contemporary milieu as opposed to a prior to the Great War time, but the excitement of the chase and the quick witted competence of the Renaissance man Richard Hannay (as played by Richard Powell) stands up well to the many action heroes of present day cinema (Bruce Willis, Matt Damon, the new James Bond, etc.). Also, one of the best performances by David Warner I have seen - truly sinister! Hitchcock actually thought Buchan's "Greenmantle" was a better novel, but it has never been produced. I wish Bevis, Clarke and Smith would produce a sequel!!!!
From the decade that style forgot....it's got style.
posted on 31 Aug 2009John Buchan like Dornford Yates and "Sapper" is terribly unfashionable and Ur - British with his ex-public school men roaming the Empire and having "Good" wars before settling down and marrying upper middle class gels who may not be particularly bright but have a good seat and are fearless in The Hunt.Richard Hannay is one such hero,recently returned from the colonies and at a bit of a loose end in London,he is drawn into a plot to drag Britain into a war with a European neighbour. As played by Mr Robert Powell,Hannay is courageous,resourceful and clever,attributes that will be tested to the utmost before good triumphs over evil as,fortunately,it tended to in the innocent days before the first world war. Whilst Robert Donat was rather effete and Kenneth More too hearty by half,Mr Powell makes Hannay a formidable opponent for the diabolical machinations of David Warner. Director Don Sharpe brings with him the lessons learned from his TV work,this is a clean,no frills,crisply - photographed film with every shot counting.You can feel the cold of the British winter in every exterior. The late Sir John Mills has a small part as Col. Scudder.However handsome and charming Mr Powell is,Sir John is the focal point for all their scenes together - his very presence compels you to watch him for the whole time he is on the screen.It is one of my favourites amongst his later performances. "The 39 Steps" is the sort of film I like to recommend to my friends and sit back smugly - mightily pleased with myself - when ,without fail, they say how much they enjoyed it. From the decade that style forgot - it's got style.
Missing Bike
posted on 31 Aug 2009Hannay's bike disappears. When Hannay leaves the political rally, he steals a bike. Later he is seen running across the moors and his bike reappears. All in all a very good film for a Sunday Snooze. The love interest scenes tend to drag on a little bit for my taste, but the scenes where he is drugged are funny.It is a remake of the Kenneth Moore film and Robert Powell put his own stamp on it the payoff where Hannay escapes from the room whilst paralysed is excellent. the locations are rather twee and typical of the major b films of the seventies. Obviously the final scene at the Palace of Westminster are a fitting climax to the film
Full of fun and excitement
posted on 31 Aug 2009I remember watching this film for the first time in India at the Lido in the city of Bangalore in the company of 18 people. I came away fascinated and the memory of the movie in the company of friends when you are a teen only adds to the nostalgia. Anyway, this is a period piece (pre WWI) whose plot is to drag England into a European war by assassinating the premier of Greece as he plans a speech at the parliament. They got the atmosphere down very well indeed with all the fog, gray London and the dampness of the English countryside. The Prussian agents are perfectly cast (stern and determined) as is the villain, David Warner (see him in Titanic, Holocaust, etc). Some sections of the film are very slapstick studio such as the rolling of a car in the thick of a London fog. All in all the atmosphere is very English and so is the direction. If it were not for the nice old motorcars, it'd be a period piece from the Victorian years. Anyway, this is early Georgian England in the wake of the Victorian era and consequently you'll see top hats worn by men and long bubble dresses worn by ladies (with umbrella and all). There are other nice touches in that an old bus with Shepard's bush written on the plates i thought was rather cute. The film is gripping and fast paced (and the English very well spoken and also with some South African slang such as 'dorp'). I wish there can be an NTSC version. However, it looks like IMDb needs to update the availability section because i purchased this film in DVD format at the Virgin store in London and the availability section makes no mention of the various formats.
Excellent "man on the run" movie
posted on 31 Aug 2009Much like "North by Northwest" but without a name star like Cary Grant attached to it. Great performances turned in by Robert Powell and, albeit briefly, Sir John Mills. David Warner gives a very good turn as the ringleader of a group of spies in 1914 Britain, before the start of WWI. Powell becomes the center of their attention when he comes to the aid of Colonel Scudder played by John Mills. Powell escapes from the spies clutches and the chase across England is on as Powell tries to decipher the mystery of the thirty-nine steps. Karen Dotrice turns up near the end to help our man Powell stop the spy ring. The only bad thing about this movie is the absence of any feel of the historic time period. While England's presumed entry into WWI is mentioned it isn't really relevant to the story. The same story could have been told using any time period.
Awesome
posted on 31 Aug 2009POSSSIBLE Spoilers This movie is awesome. Although I have not seen the original I have heard this one is better. This movie is very enthralling throughout. The best part is the cat & mouse which occupies most of the film. Another good part of the movie is when he comes down the stair drugged up on a wheelchair. I also liked setting of the movie. Seeing Powell ramble through the our countryside was awesome and adds quality to the movie.The acting was very good. I thought Robert Powell was amazing and is one of the most underrated actors ever (cant believe hes down graded himself to Holby City). He was great in the detective's too with Jasper Carrot which is one of my fave shows ever.Very good film and I recommend this for anyone.
Hannay must figure out who and what are being threatened while trying to save his own life and that of a lovely young lady.
posted on 31 Aug 2009This is much better than the Hitchcock version - which is saying a lot. There is much more to the story and more twists and turns. Wish I could find a copy! The story is also much truer to the written version and should be shown more often and made available on DVD. If you have only seen the Hitchcock version, you are missing out. Hanny's character is well presented - not arrogant but self-assured. There are enough twists too keep the viewer guessing. I would rank it up there with Hitchcock's "The Lady Vanishes", an all time wonderful suspense movie. It has been a long time since I have seen this version and would love to see it again. Enjoy if you ever get the chance.
tedious
posted on 31 Aug 2009The trouble with this version of John Buchan's book is really rather poor. Robert Powell isn't my idea of Richard Hannay - doesn't look right, not the dashing and charismatic adventurer he should be - and the climax at Big Ben is too far-fetched.The film itself, despite good production values and a fairly decent cast (David Warner, Eric Porter, John Mills, Timothy West, Ronald Pickup), is deadly boring. Maybe it has been shown on television too many times but it is unengaging and was done far better in the two previous versions.Give me Madeleine Carroll and Robert Donat handcuffed together any day. This version is a lame TV movie at best.
One of our favorite films
posted on 31 Aug 2009This is an exciting, well acted version of the Thirty Nine Steps. David Warner is appropriately evil as the head of the Nazi's moles, Robert Powell is a convincing reluctant hero who has been thrust into mystery & danger, Sir John Mills is great as the voice of warning and reason against the pending threat of war, and Karen Dotrice is very sweet as the romantic interest now that she is all grown up. Compared to the earlier Hitchcock version (which we also like) this story is much more believable and less campy. We love it and watch it every few months. Our only disappointment is that our VHS is getting worn and we can't find a replacement in either VHS or DVD.
The closest version to the book
posted on 31 Aug 2009While it may not be the best version of the film, it is certainly the best interpretation of Buchan's book. I personally am not a great fan of Robert Powell, and it's this that may hinder this film, but I do believe he has caught the character of Richard Hannay, a cocksure South African mining engineer back in the 'old country' bored and ready to return when he meets a spy (Scudder) who is killed in his apartment.The character of Scudder is excellently played by John Mills, and is a prefect recreation of the character in the book.If you've not done so, read the book. There's no silly handcuffed love interest in it and is a fascinating read. Then, move onto "Greenmantle", and the rest of Buchan's books containing Hannay,
As good as and often better than the Hitchcock original.
posted on 31 Aug 2009This 1978 version of "The 39 Steps" is an excellent film, well worth one's time. The film follows the John Buchan novel closely, except for its climax which, according to Halliwell, is taken from Will Hay's "My Learned Friend"; thus, there is little similarity in plot and characters between this film and the Hitchcock version. There are no handcuffed characters racing about (Thank God!) nor villains with truncated digits.This film is well cast and performed throughout, with special mention of Robert Powell, John Mills, and David Warner. Made in color, it features beautiful scenery, especially the train trip to Scotland and Hannay's flight over the moors. It has fine period detail and costumes, the equal of anything in Merchant-Ivory films. And it has a lush, romantic score that swept me right along into the film.The film does reference Hitchcock in a number of ways, most obviously in the plane search for Hannay, which recalls the plane attacking Cary Grant in "North by Northwest." And the climax that takes place on the face of Big Ben is exactly the sort of thing Hitchcock might have done, what with his fondness for using famous landmarks in his films.The suspenseful climax is as good as anything Hitchcock ever did. But throughout, the film has good suspense. Hannay's escape from the train on the bridge here is better than the Hitchcock scene. And the terrorists' activities as shown here are very modern in that they are ruthless killers.The people who were involved in making this film have nothing to apologize for. It's a fine film, and it's too bad that it has been overshadowed by the Hitchcock version. Don't miss this one.
Nothing learnt
posted on 31 Aug 2009The finale on Big Ben is thrilling, but in the main, this version of John Buchan's classic adventure 'The 39 Steps' only suggests that little has been learnt since Hitchcock made his celebrated version over 40 years earlier. There's minimal atmosphere, and plot, characterisation and acting are all poor. At one point, the heroine's fiance is murdered and she barely bats an eyelid (it's also quite funny watching her attempt to run away from the evil Prussian agents). Ridiculous and dull.
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A truly great film--better than Hitchcock's
posted on 31 Aug 2009This version of The Thirty Nine Steps is the best of the lot. It is truly a pity that it has been totally overshadowed by the earlier Hitchcock version, which comes across somewhat stark and dingy in comparison.The Rank Productions version with Robert Powell keeps the suspense moving throughout, and the ending is a cliffhanger in the best tradition of the genre.I have looked for a copy of this for years, and have yet to find it released here. I am saddened that this version has never been released on DVD (at least not in the USA) and wish it was given its due, especially considering all the drivel that is released on a daily basis. This is one older movie that deserves better exposure, and credit, than it has.