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IMDbPro

The Thirty Nine Steps

  • 19781978
  • PGPG
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.5K
YOUR RATING
The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
  • Crime
  • History
  • Mystery
In March 1914, a mining engineer named Richard Hannay tries to prevent Prussian Agents from executing a political assassination designed to trigger World War I.In March 1914, a mining engineer named Richard Hannay tries to prevent Prussian Agents from executing a political assassination designed to trigger World War I.In March 1914, a mining engineer named Richard Hannay tries to prevent Prussian Agents from executing a political assassination designed to trigger World War I.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Don Sharp
  • Writers
    • Michael Robson(screenplay)
    • John Buchan(novel)
  • Stars
    • Robert Powell
    • David Warner
    • Eric Porter
Top credits
  • Director
    • Don Sharp
  • Writers
    • Michael Robson(screenplay)
    • John Buchan(novel)
  • Stars
    • Robert Powell
    • David Warner
    • Eric Porter
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 47User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos14

    The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
    Raymond Young in The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
    Karen Dotrice and Robert Powell in The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
    Karen Dotrice and Robert Powell in The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
    Robert Powell in The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
    Karen Dotrice in The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
    Karen Dotrice in The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
    Karen Dotrice and Robert Powell in The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
    David Warner and Robert Powell in The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
    The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
    The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)
    The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Powell
    Robert Powell
    • Hannayas Hannay
    David Warner
    David Warner
    • Sir Edmund Appletonas Sir Edmund Appleton
    Eric Porter
    Eric Porter
    • Lomasas Lomas
    Karen Dotrice
    Karen Dotrice
    • Alexas Alex
    John Mills
    John Mills
    • Scudderas Scudder
    George Baker
    George Baker
    • Sir Walter Bullivantas Sir Walter Bullivant
    Ronald Pickup
    Ronald Pickup
    • Baylissas Bayliss
    Donald Pickering
    Donald Pickering
    • Marshallas Marshall
    Timothy West
    Timothy West
    • Portonas Porton
    Miles Anderson
    Miles Anderson
    • Davidas David
    Andrew Keir
    Andrew Keir
    • Lord Rohanas Lord Rohan
    Robert Flemyng
    Robert Flemyng
    • Magistrateas Magistrate
    William Squire
    William Squire
    • Harknessas Harkness
    Paul McDowell
    • McLeanas McLean
    David Collings
    David Collings
    • Tillotsonas Tillotson
    John Normington
    John Normington
    • Fletcheras Fletcher
    John Welsh
    John Welsh
    • Lord Belthaneas Lord Belthane
    Edward de Souza
    Edward de Souza
    • Woodvilleas Woodville
    • (as Edward De Souza)
    • Director
      • Don Sharp
    • Writers
      • Michael Robson(screenplay)
      • John Buchan(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Robert Powell was cast in the lead role of Richard Hannay due to his popularity from starring in Jesus of Nazareth (1977).
    • Goofs
      Whilst in Scotland, as a guest at the ancestral home and on the heaths, Hannay, wears Cherry Red Dr Marten Airwear boots (first invented in 1960). These are first seen under a chair whilst he is changing in the bedroom.
    • Quotes

      Hannay: I thought he was a harmless lunatic!

    • Crazy credits
      SPOILER: Closing credits epilogue: Edward Appleton was convicted of treason in May 1914.

      And thanks to Richard Hannay, Britain gained valuable time to prepare for The Great War.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Clock (2010)

    User reviews47

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Not really a remake
    It's hardly fair to compare this to the Hitchcock version (which was made when Buchan was not yet a well-known author). I think the Hitchcock film is the better as a film, although there are a few stodgy moments (with the crofter, for instance), but lots of lovely visual ideas to compensate (the Bridge scene, the missing digit, and the ending). But Hitchcock's is not a filming of Buchan's novel. It's something quite different. The first remake (with Kenneth More) was a remake of the Hitchcock film, not the book. With this version, we were told it would be faithful to the original, but, yes, the ending is stolen from an old Will Hay film (which was very much before its time, with its black humour). So this is not really a remake of the Hitchcock film, but neither is it faithful to Buchan (which I must re-read). But it is enjoyable, the period feel is good, and I personally like Ed Welch's concerto score.
    helpful•21
    3
    • falconer99
    • Mar 18, 2007

    FAQ6

    • What is "The Thirty-Nine Steps" about?
    • Is "The Thirty-Nine Steps" based on a book?
    • Who are the "sleepers"?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 2, 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die 39 Stufen
    • Filming locations
      • Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland, UK
    • Production company
      • Norfolk International Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £1,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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