The 39 Steps

Country: UK
Year: 1935
Running time: 86 mins
Language: English
Certificate: U
Format: Digital Cinema and 35mm
Sound: Mono
Picture: Black & White
Projected ratio: Academy (1.33:1)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim

Synopsis:

The original version of the classic thriller, starring legendary British heart-throb Robert Donat, was a highlight of Hitchcock’s career.

While sitting in a London theatre watching a man perform dazzling memory tricks, Richard Hannay and the rest of the audience flee after hearing a gunshot. Making his way to the exit, Hannay encounters a young woman who asks if she may come along with him. Fascinated by her apparent terror he agrees. During the night, however, she is murdered in his flat forcing Hannay to become involved in a search for a master spy trying to obtain British Defence secrets – and avoiding the police long enough to find the real killers and clear his name.

Press quotes:

‘a thrilling roller-coaster romp made before the phrase ‘roller-coaster romp’ existed’
Ian Freer, Empire

‘tight, expertly paced and boats an array of finely drawn supporting characters’
Henry Fitzherbert, Sunday Express

‘Oodles of English pluck and some sizzling (kinky even) sexual chemistry’
Thomas Dawson, The Independent

‘Donat is peerless’
Angie Errigo, Mail on Sunday

‘witty, daring and exuberant’
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

‘Hitch manages to pile on intrigue, slapstick, romance, claustrophobia and comedy and the mix is pitch-perfect’
Dave Calhoun, Time Out

‘An action movie with style and substance’
Kevin Maher, The Times

‘on the big screen it really shines’
Chris Sullivan, The Big Issue

‘marvellously inventive’
Philip French, The Observer

‘one of Hitchcock’s best films from any period’
Tim Robey, The Daily Telegraph