#56: HITCHCOCK, Alfred: The 39 Steps (1935)

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HITCHCOCK, Alfred (United Kingdom)
The 39 Steps [1935]
Spine #56
Blu-ray


A heart-racing spy story by Alfred Hitchcock, The 39 Steps follows Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) as he stumbles upon a conspiracy that thrusts him into a hectic chase across the Scottish moors — a chase in which he is both the pursuer and the pursued — as well as into an unexpected romance with the cool Pamela (Madeleine Carroll). Adapted from a novel by John Buchan, this classic wrong-man thriller from the Master of Suspense anticipates the director's most famous works (especially North by Northwest), and remains one of his cleverest and most entertaining films.

86 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2012

Director/Writers


Adapted from the novel by John Buchan.
Adaptation by Charles Bennett.
Dialogue by Ian Hay.

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

DVD: Six-page wraparound featuring an essay by Marian Keane.
Blu-ray: Fourteen-page booklet an essay by David Cairns.

Commentary

DVD/Blu-Ray: By Hitchcock scholar Keane.
DVD/Blu-ray: Lux Radio Theatre

The complete 1937 broadcast, performed by Robert Montgomery and Ida Lupino.
DVD: The Art of Film: Vintage Hitchcock
Blu-ray: Hitchcock: The Early Years (2000)

A Janus Films documentary detailing the director’s British period.
DVD/Blu-ray: Original production design drawings

Original footage

Blu-ray: From British broadcaster Mike Scott’s 1966 television interview with Hitchcock.

Excerpts

Blu-ray: Visual essay

By Hitchcock scholar Leonard Leff.

Blu-ray: Visual essay

By Hitchcock scholar Leonard Leff. 

Blu-ray: Audio excerpts

From François Truffaut’s 1962 interviews with Hitchcock. 

DVD: From the original 1935 press book.

DVD: Audio essay

By Keane.

DVD: Theatrical trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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