The 39 Steps

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The 39 Steps

1935

1h 20m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

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56 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

While on vacation in London, Canadian Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) becomes embroiled in an international spy ring related to the mysterious "39 steps." Then he meets agent Annabella Smith (Lucie Mannheim), who is soon killed in his apartment. He must elude the police, who are hunting him for murder, while he tries to stop Professor Jordan (Godfrey Tearle) from sending secrets out of the country. Hannay is assisted by Pamela (Madeleine Carroll), an unwilling accomplice who discovers the truth.

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Critics Consensus

Packed with twists and turns, this essential early Alfred Hitchcock feature hints at the dazzling heights he'd reach later in his career.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

09/09/2015

The 39 Steps is a masterclass in propulsive narrative cinema that even today's so-called blockbuster auteurs should study.

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Martin Chilton

Daily Telegraph (UK)

12/30/2014

5/5

The scene in which Mr Memory is asked at the London Palladium "What are the 39 Steps?" remains one of 20th-century cinema's most gripping moments.

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TIME Magazine

08/05/2014

The Thirty-Nine Steps neatly converts its essential implausihility into an asset by stressing the difficulties which confront its hero when he tries to tell outsiders about the predicament he is in.

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Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

Jun 13

8/10

The screenplay by Charles Bennett and Ian Hay is also loaded with offhand remarks that prove to be prophetic, making this film particularly good for rewatching.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 11

4/4

The 39 Steps is sexy, exciting, and wholly unpredictable, with an ending that nicely loops back to the start.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

10/05/2023

... an effortless balance of romance and adventure set against a picaresque landscape populated by eccentrics and social register smoothies, none of whom what they appear to be.

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BO S

@boknows40 3d

Suspenseful. Clever, entertaining dialogue. One of my all-time favorites!

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke Apr 13

Fast from the opening scene and consistently entertaining, with not a wasted moment. It even slips into laugh-out-loud humor at times. It’s easy to see how much it shaped the thrillers that followed. Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll are perfectly matched, her cool, quick intelligence and look reminded me a bit of Jean Arthur. Remarkably, despite having seen it three times before, it all felt fresh, we had almost no memory of it.

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paul O

@Paulo190408 Feb 26

Came out in 1935 and very much showing its age. Not Hitchcocks best film by a long way.

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Bill T.

@btreakle Feb 7

“39 Steps” This film is about a everyday guy trying to help a counter espionage agent escape From some men who are chasing her trying to kill her. But it was too late this lady counter espionage agent was murdered by her foes but this stranger ended up being charged with her murder. This is his story as he alludes police from destination to destination on trains and and bridges and and all that you can imagine. In the end he's cleared of all charges and the perpetrator is caught and hauled off the jail. But there’s so much more between that happened. So hope you enjoyed this Alfred Hitchcock one and it doesn’t disappoint in typical Alfred Hitchcock fashion. Highly recommend this film.

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Chris H

@RT60525826 Nov 4

This is a great film, full of intrigue and derring do. You need to remember that it was made before WWII, so the spy theme clearly has a timeless quality. Looking at it with 21st century eyes, it must be said that it reflects the ideas of the time (especially as regards relationships with women) and this is unfortunate; hence half a star knocked off, although perhaps that's unfair.

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David K

@RT61474040 Oct 22

Hitchcock hitting his stride. Excellent by any standards.

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Alfred Hitchcock

Director

Robert Donat

Richard Hannay

Madeleine Carroll

Pamela

Godfrey Tearle

Professor Jordan

Lucie Mannheim

Miss Annabella Smith

Peggy Ashcroft

Margaret, crofter's wife

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Synopsis

While on vacation in London, Canadian Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) becomes embroiled in an international spy ring related to the mysterious "39 steps." Then he meets agent Annabella Smith (Lucie Mannheim), who is soon killed in his apartment. He must elude the police, who are hunting him for murder, while he tries to stop Professor Jordan (Godfrey Tearle) from sending secrets out of the country. Hannay is assisted by Pamela (Madeleine Carroll), an unwilling accomplice who discovers the truth.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Producer: Michael Balcon, Ivor Montagu
Screenwriter: John Buchan, Charles Bennett, Ian Hay
Distributor: LS Video, Gaumont British Distributors, Grapevine Video
Production Co: Gaumont British Picture Corporation Ltd.
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 1935, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 12, 2017
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Mono