Movie Review: The 39 Steps (1935)

The 39 Steps is a 1935 thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The 39 Steps stars Robert Donat and Madeline Carroll in the lead. The film is about a man who after a woman is murdered in his apartment, flees as a wanted person and tries to unveil the mystery of the 39 steps. Alfred Hitchcock has made some of the greatest movies ever created. His films aren't just great, but they are an art form in itself. The 39 Steps was really surprising, because even though this is not one of his newer, landmark films, this is still a great thriller with some really fantastic and intriguing make up to it. The first thing I instantly was drawn to in this movie are the set designs. This movie uses a true, real, physically attractive environment for their actors to move around with. Even some of the outdoor scenes are excellent examples of what real direction is. The direction of 39 Steps is amazing and I was blown away. That leads me to my next pro which is the fact that this movie doesn't ever get boring. Yes, it is short, but within that hour and twenty something minutes, it never feels long or meanders. This is a short and sweet thriller that is aware and knows how to set up conflict and suspense. As for the acting, it was fine. I didn't feel riveted by any of the performances however they did what they needed to do. One possibly negative thing (if you would even be bothered by this) is that this flick does look it's age. The 39 Steps hasn't aged very well. It's a very grainy black and white and while some shots have withstand the test of time, this is a movie where I don't think that happened. I personally did not mind the retro look and feel of 39 Steps, actually I enjoyed watching such an old looking picture. Also, the premise behind this film is something that goes throughout a lot of Hitchcock's movies, the idea of spies invading from foreign countries is something he touches on in movies like North By Northwest. It doesn't bother me, but this is not a unique film in terms of thematic elements, that is if we pair it with some of his other more well heard of works. Overall, The 39 Steps was a great thriller that satisfied me as a Hitchcock movie, a retro good time, and film that understands truly what it is. Three stars