BLOGGER-ARCHIVE FILM REVIEW
Alfred Hitchcock: The 39 Steps (1935)
The 39 Steps (1935)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2
***SPOILER ALERT***
This strikes me as the first great Hitchcock picture. With The 39 Steps (1935), he began to dial into what interested him and what was the basis for nearly every story he would tell in the future; the theme of suspense. I am paraphrasing here (or just making this up), but I remember hearing how Hitch saw it could be summarized in this hypothetical: Say there’s a play in which the plot involves two individuals sitting at a table. With their words, they can only access one dimension of conflict. A way to add layers of conflict is to put a ticking time bomb with a countdown underneath the table without the individuals’ knowledge; with only 30 minutes to spare. The writer/director shows the audience the threat…and suddenly the viewer knows something that the characters don’t know. Psychologically, we as the viewers feel a bit complicit and thus more immersed in the story. This displays suspense as the viewers are constantly aware a threat is coming (because they can actually see one, and it is more thrilling because of it. Hitch was a master of the concept of suspense and was really beginning to explore it in this film. In a story where someone is “on the run”, it is constantly entertaining if the stakes are high enough because there is a constant threat to the protagonist. If we relate to the characters, we feel we are there with them, being hunted down for whatever reason. This is demonstrated in all-time great films like this and The Fugitive (1993). (I wonder if that movie pays homage to this one in any way?
Tommy Lee Jones reading this blurb: “I Don’t Care.”
I feel that there is at least one hole in this story; Why would Mr. Memory spill the beans on stage in the end? Since he can memorize anything, is he burdened with having to regurgitate it at any given time? He coulda kept his mouth shut- that bothered me a bit. Despite this, I enjoyed that this film both began and ended with Mr. Memory’s show; it felt like everything went full circle which is always a nice feeling- like everything is wrapped up in a nice little bow.
One of the best scenes of this film is when Donat tries to escape by hiding (on stage?!) at a Scottish political rally. It is quite entertaining when Donat is mistaken for Captain Frasier- a soldier and political advocate for the candidate and he must give an impromptu speech in favor of him. Donat seizes the opportunity and gives an impassioned (yet politically generic) speech on the direction of Scotland. Its quite a show and the crowd loves it. Donat was one of Hitchcock’s best leading man; so charismatic, so British. Well acted.
I was not expecting this one to be as good as it was.
