The 39 Steps

Name: The 39 Steps
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Film-Noir
Released: August 1, 1935
Duration: 86 min
Rating: 93
Cast: Frank Cellier, Godfrey Tearle, Gus McNaughton, Helen Haye, John Laurie

1935

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Gaumont British Distributors | Release Date: August 1, 1935 | TV-G

Starring: Frank Cellier, Godfrey Tearle, Gus McNaughton, Helen Haye, John Laurie, Lucie Mannheim, Madeleine Carroll, Peggy Ashcroft, Robert Donat, Wylie Watson

Summary: A man in London tries to help a counter-espionage Agent. But when the Agent is killed, and the man stands accused, he must go on the run to save himself and stop a spy ring which is trying to steal top secret information.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Film-Noir

Rating: TV-G

Runtime: 86 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Andre Sennwald

By comparison with the sinister delicacy and urbane understatement of The Thirty-nine Steps, the best of our melodramas seem crude and brawling. Read full review

100

Thomas Dawson

A significant precursor to the same film-maker's North by Northwest, it remains a supremely entertaining and accomplished work in its own right. Read full review

100

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

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. Read full review

The Telegraph Robbie Collin

Alfred Hitchcock is at the height of his skin-prickling powers in this brisk spy story, seasoned with oodles of humour and a dash of kink. [14 Jun 2013]

J. Hoberman

The movie with which Hitchcock became Hitchcock. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

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]

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

It is witty, daring and exuberant; like his hero, Hitchcock shows himself to be energetic and resourceful in dealing with changes in locale. [11 Apr 2008, p.10]

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User Reviews

Habibiehakim

Jul 26, 2021

The 39 Steps is just another fantastic and incredible film from Hitchcock's, The 39 Steps is the beginning of his success and that's about 100% right, the movie is fun, enjoyable, pretty intense, and it's great, it's awesome, it's incredible, i've had a lot of fun with The 39 Steps andThe 39 Steps is just another fantastic and incredible film from Hitchcock's, The 39 Steps is the beginning of his success and that's about 100% right, the movie is fun, enjoyable, pretty intense, and it's great, it's awesome, it's incredible, i've had a lot of fun with The 39 Steps and that's making it one of the most entertaining Hitchcock's movie i've ever watch.… Expand

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Bradh6886

Jan 15, 2021

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.

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JLuis_001

Jan 12, 2022

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.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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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