The 39 Steps (TV 2008)

Richard Hannay, a mining engineer on holiday from the African colonies, finds London socialite life terribly dull. Yet it's more then he bargained for when secret agent, Scudder, bursts ... See full summary »

Director:

James Hawes

Writers:

John Buchan (novel), Lizzie Mickery (screenplay)

Stars:

Rupert Penry-Jones, Lydia Leonard, David Haig

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rupert Penry-Jones	...	Richard Hannay
Lydia Leonard	...	Victoria Sinclair
David Haig	...	Sir George Sinclair
Patrick Malahide	...	Professor Fisher
Patrick Kennedy	...	Hellory Sinclair
Eddie Marsan	...	Scudder
Alex Jennings	...	Captain Kell
Steven Elder	...	Vicar / Wakeham
Werner Daehn	...	Ackerman
Peter Stark	...	Engel
Del Synnott	...	London Constable
Roger De Courcey	...	Ventriloquist
David Gallacher	...	Professor's Butler
James Bryce	...	Concierge at Club
Stewart Preston	...	Waiter at Club

Storyline

Richard Hannay, a mining engineer on holiday from the African colonies, finds London socialite life terribly dull. Yet it's more then he bargained for when secret agent, Scudder, bursts into his room and entrusts him a coded notebook with map, concerning the impending start of World War I. In no time both German agents and the British law are chasing him, ruthlessly coveting the Roman numerals code, which Hannay believes he must crack himself. Masquerading as a liberal party pundit, Richard also gets stuck with parliamentary candidate Sir George Sinclair's sister Victoria. They must survive with the secrets and decide who they can trust and how to keep it from others.

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Plot Keywords:

false identity | beating | fall | number in title

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

28 December 2008 (UK)

Also Known As:

39 Lépcsőfok

Filming Locations:

Argyll's Lodging, Stirling, Scotland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

At the end of the movie Hannay is leaving London for the western front, but from St Pancras. He's at the wrong station. The line from there goes to the English Midlands, not the channel ports.

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Quotes

Richard Hannay: So, what's the story?
Scudder: [hesitantly] I am a freelance agent for the British Secret Service Bureau.
Richard Hannay: My housekeeper told me you were an accountant.
Scudder: I don't make a habit of telling people that I'm a spy. Last night I was supposed to meet someone from the Bureau to exchange information, but it was a double-cross. Obviously I've been betrayed. I've been on the trail of a German espionage ring and I've tracked down their headquarters to a village in Scotland.
Richard Hannay: [sarcastically] You should contact the Weekly...

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Connections

Version of The 39 Steps (1935)

User Reviews

39 what?

I really don't understand why film makers feel the need to change the plot of books. Then if you apply this to an absolute classic it seems totally crazy. The result is like a mutant spawn from the Hallmark channel and Barbara Cartland. Now, I have nothing against either in their own right but for the BBC to claim to be the forefront of drama and then to produce this stuff is pushing it a bit far. I considered putting forward a number of goofs but lost count of the possible entries as there were so many, a simple check of locations and weather conditions would have given the story a little more credibility.All this is a shame as the actors seem to be trying their best to spark some excitement in the script.To avoid spoiling the end I will just add it needs to be seen to be believed, in fact it may even need more than that. There are much better versions of this book, in fact I think all of them are, even Kenneth More will be turning in his grave never mind Robert Donat!