Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

jotix100 "The Thirty Nine Steps", the spy novel by John Buchan, has been adapted for the screen three times. The most famous one being the 1935 version by Alfred Hitchcock which still remains an old favorite by most viewers. The 1959 remake directed by Ralph Thomas was a vehicle for its star, Kenneth Moore. We were intrigued when the Don Sharp 1978 film version when it showed up on a classic channel not long ago.Not having read the novel, we cannot, in all honesty, make an objective assessment of how close to the written page the latest remake is, but we were pleasantly surprised by what Mr. Sharp was able to accomplish. The adaptation was written by Michael Robson. The action used a lot of well known backgrounds. The best of these is the one that takes place in the last sequence of the film in which we are taken inside Big Ben where Hannay, having solved the mystery, goes after the Prussian spies.Robert Powell was effective in his characterization of Hannay, the South African engineer that is drawn, against his will, to be at the center of a manhunt for something he never did. The cast was excellent. John Mills, Eric Porter, David Warner, Donald Pickering, Ronald Pickup, and Karen Dotrice, among them. John Coquillon was the cinematographer and the musical score was created by Ed Welch. Don Sharp's entertaining take on this classic is worth a look.

roger-763 A great film and underrated because of its predecessors over inflated significance. Robert Powell's finest hour and a great cast of actors and actresses. The period setting of very late Edwardian and early 1900's feel is very accurate and pleasing to the eye. The steam train and Big Ben scenes are magnificent. The characterization is superb and the acting first class. Making any other version very unlikely to reach the zenith of the performances in this dramatization.The Late Sir John Mills adds urgency and class to the film, and the scene where Scudder's identity is revealed to the Prussian agents outside in the street, outside his apartment, is brilliantly played, and draws us into the film and the musical score adds excitement, urgency, verve and great atmosphere and grace.The film's warning of impending war with Germany only adds to the fascination with the film, and through retrospect we know that the First World happens, but the film's message of British agents and anyone caught up in espionage, during these tense years. Only goes to show how Britain was buying time, and trying to hold off the advances of its rapidly catching up super-power neighbour, that was becoming Germany.The Grand finale at Big Ben at Westminster was a treat to watch.The film cannot be faulted, because everything is flowing in pure visual delight.

kenharris8 Much like "North by Northwest" but without a name star like Cary Grant attached to it. Great performances turned in by Robert Powell and, albeit briefly, Sir John Mills. David Warner gives a very good turn as the ringleader of a group of spies in 1914 Britain, before the start of WWI. Powell becomes the center of their attention when he comes to the aid of Colonel Scudder played by John Mills. Powell escapes from the spies clutches and the chase across England is on as Powell tries to decipher the mystery of the thirty-nine steps. Karen Dotrice turns up near the end to help our man Powell stop the spy ring. The only bad thing about this movie is the absence of any feel of the historic time period. While England's presumed entry into WWI is mentioned it isn't really relevant to the story. The same story could have been told using any time period.

Beastify POSSSIBLE Spoilers This movie is awesome. Although I have not seen the original I have heard this one is better. This movie is very enthralling throughout. The best part is the cat & mouse which occupies most of the film. Another good part of the movie is when he comes down the stair drugged up on a wheelchair. I also liked setting of the movie. Seeing Powell ramble through the our countryside was awesome and adds quality to the movie.The acting was very good. I thought Robert Powell was amazing and is one of the most underrated actors ever (cant believe hes down graded himself to Holby City). He was great in the detective's too with Jasper Carrot which is one of my fave shows ever.Very good film and I recommend this for anyone.