The 39 Steps

This suave, amusing spy melodrama is directed with so sure a touch that the suspense is charged with wit; it's one of the three or four best things Hitchcock ever did.

Hitchcock would make richer films in Hollywood, but The 39 Steps came off the line as the Model T of cinematic plot machines.

One of Hitchcock's best British films, and a prototype for so much of what would follow in his American career. For those who love a grand spy mystery, a wild chase, and a harrowing portrait of an innocent man struggling to prove his innocence while the world turns inexplicably against him, The 39 Steps is ideal.

The writing and twists elevated this to a spot among the master of suspense's best. [15 Aug 2019]

Yes, they can make pictures in England. This one proves it. International spy stories are most always good, and this is one of the best. [19 Jun 1935, p.21]

Other English Hitchcocks may be more provocative, but few offer such a ripping good yarn.

As an artist, Alfred Hitchcock surpassed this early achievement many times in his career, but for sheer entertainment value it still stands in the forefront of his work.

Remarkable film with a well-deserved title of "classic". Mastermind Hitchcock keeps audiences nearly a century in his future on the edge of their seats. Music seemed absent at key places and present at wrong ones. Technical marvel nonetheless.

Para mí, esta película tiene uno de los mejores finales hechos hasta la fecha. Lamentablemente, es totalmente inconsistente. Tiene puntos altísimos como dicho final, con el cual te quedas realmente perplejo, pero luego se desmorona cuando lo comparas con el principio, el cual es inverosímil. La forma en que se ve involucrado nuestro personaje principal, sin hacer objeción de nada de lo que ocurría, es irrisorio. De ahí en adelante va mejorando de a poco y no tiene demasiadas caídas, o por lo menos muy graves, pero si la base de tu película es la arena, por más linda que esté la fachada, se va a caer y es lo que pasa en esta película. Una más de Hitchcock en la que se conforma con que sea simplemente buena. Media hora mejor trabajada sería una obra maestra.

There are a few passages that make it feel too melodramatic for what is essentially an espionage story, but it's also fair to say that it was the 1930's and that sort of thing was to be expected. At the same time, though, it could be considered a weakness for more contemporary audiences. The 39 Steps is one of the best examples of Alfred Hitchcock's talent. Who with only 13 years of career as a director by that time, already had 20 credits to his name. Maybe I can't consider it among his best works, but I still enjoyed it.

Первый смотрибильный фильм Хичкока. Достаточно увлекательный и наивный комедийный детектив, который стоит посмотреть хотя бы ради того, чтобы узнать, что это за долбаные 39 ступеней =)