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...

review

-I was never really crazy about the Hitchcock version of this story. Hitch too often "fiddled" with an original story, and although so often made a great movie, it was seldom true to the story as it was first written. The later remake with Kenneth Moore, was a little more glossy, but flat. But with this version, we finally get the story as it was written. Superior photography on location, really help to make this a real winner. Evenly paced, with fine acting performances by the entire cast, the whole film just flows. Excellent production values, recreate the period flawlessly. If I had a criticism, it would be of the rather fanciful climax, but it was still fun. This movie is for enjoying over and over again.



Director:Don Sharp
Writers:John Buchan (novel), Michael Robson (screenplay)

Robert Powell ... Richard Hannay
David Warner David Warner ... Sir Edmund Appleton
Eric Porter Eric Porter ... Chief Supt Lomas
Karen Dotrice Karen Dotrice ... Alex Mackenzie
John Mills John Mills ... Scudder
George Baker George Baker ... Sir Walter Bullivant
Ronald Pickup Ronald Pickup ... Bayliss
Donald Pickering Donald Pickering ... Marshall
Timothy West Timothy West ... Porton
Miles Anderson Miles Anderson ... David Hamilton
Andrew Keir Andrew Keir ... Lord R
Robert Flemyng Robert Flemyng ... Magistrate
William Squire William Squire ... Harkness
Paul McDowell Paul McDowell ... McLean
David Collings David Collings ... Tillotson



Country:UK
Language:English
Release Date:2 May 1980 (USA)
Also Known As:The 39 Steps
Filming Locations:Albert Bridge, Battersea, London, England, UK
Runtime:102 min
Sound Mix:Mono
Color:Color (Eastmancolor)