The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)

The year is 1914 and Richard Hannay, Mining Engineer who is visiting Britain for a short time before returning to South Africa, is shocked when one of his neighbours, Colonel Scudder, ... See full summary »

Director:

Don Sharp

Writers:

Michael Robson (screenplay), John Buchan (novel)

Stars:

Robert Powell, David Warner, Eric Porter

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Powell	...	Hannay
David Warner	...	Appleton
Eric Porter	...	Lomas
Karen Dotrice	...	Alex
John Mills	...	Scudder
George Baker	...	Sir Walter Bullivant
Ronald Pickup	...	Bayliss
Donald Pickering	...	Marshall
Timothy West	...	Porton
Miles Anderson	...	David
Andrew Keir	...	Lord Rohan
Robert Flemyng	...	Magistrate
William Squire	...	Harkness
Paul McDowell	...	McLean
David Collings	...	Tillotson

Storyline

The year is 1914 and Richard Hannay, Mining Engineer who is visiting Britain for a short time before returning to South Africa, is shocked when one of his neighbours, Colonel Scudder, bursts into his rooms one night and tells him a story that Prussian 'sleeper' agents are planning to pre-start World War I by murdering a visiting foreign minister. However, Scudder is murdered and Hannay is framed for the death by the 'sleepers'. Fleeing to Scotland Hannay attempts to clear his name and to stop the agents with the aid of Alex Mackenzie but not only is he is chased by Chief Supt Lomas for Scudder's death but by the agents who is headed by Appleton who has managed to hide himself in a high-placed position in the British Government...

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Plot Keywords:

scotland | boat | spy | railway station | bound and gagged | 

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Taglines:

A game of terror begins. The only clues... Are the victims.

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 May 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

The 39 Steps

Filming Locations:

Albert Bridge, Battersea, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rank Organisation, The, Norfolk International Pictures, Norfolk International Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last cinema film of Eric Porter.

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Goofs

As Hannay looks out the train window as Police Board the train, a "First Class" symbol appears on the window. This is in the BR "Totem" style, which did not appear until 1948 when the UK Railways were nationalized.

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Connections

Followed by Hannay (1988)

User Reviews

One of the best films ever made by Rank Org.

Most of the people I spoke with about the 39 steps refer to the Hitchcock's 1935 version as the best one. Well most of these people haven't seen the 1978 version. If any of you will have a chance to see it, don't miss it as this version is story closer to John Buchan's book than Mr. Hitchcock's film.

Unfortunately, the 1978 version wasn't released on video in Europe (I believe it was released only in the US).

Robert Powell - stunning; David Warner - excellent; Prussian Agents - villains at their best.

b.t.w. very good music by Ed Welch.