The 39 Steps

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The 39 Steps

1935,

1h 20m,

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

96%

56 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

While on vacation in London, Canadian Richard Hannay becomes embroiled in an international spy ring related to the mysterious "39 steps." Then he meets agent Annabella Smith, who is soon killed in his apartment. He must elude the police, who are hunting him for murder, while he tries to stop Professor Jordan from sending secrets out of the country. Hannay is assisted by Pamela, an unwilling accomplice who discovers the truth.

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Critics Consensus

Packed with twists and turns, this essential early Alfred Hitchcock feature hints at the dazzling heights he'd reach later in his career.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Sep 9, 2015

The 39 Steps is a masterclass in propulsive narrative cinema that even today's so-called blockbuster auteurs should study.

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Martin Chilton

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Dec 30, 2014

5/5

The scene in which Mr Memory is asked at the London Palladium "What are the 39 Steps?" remains one of 20th-century cinema's most gripping moments.

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TIME Magazine

Aug 5, 2014

The Thirty-Nine Steps neatly converts its essential implausihility into an asset by stressing the difficulties which confront its hero when he tries to tell outsiders about the predicament he is in.

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Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

Jun 13, 2026

8/10

The screenplay by Charles Bennett and Ian Hay is also loaded with offhand remarks that prove to be prophetic, making this film particularly good for rewatching.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 11, 2025

4/4

The 39 Steps is sexy, exciting, and wholly unpredictable, with an ending that nicely loops back to the start.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Oct 5, 2023

... an effortless balance of romance and adventure set against a picaresque landscape populated by eccentrics and social register smoothies, none of whom what they appear to be.

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Hagrid G

Apr 15, 2019

An early Hitchcock movie that isn't his best. Donat is surprisingly wooden in the lead role and though it is atmospheric, this spy movie is as likely to generate yawns as much as thrills.

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George R

Jan 10, 2019

39 Steps has Hitchcock really starting to find his groove. Great blend of suspense and comedy, with the chemistry between Donat and Carroll standing out in particular. Cracking good fun, what!

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Hermione L

Nov 20, 2018

Early archetypal innocent man on the run thriller from Hitchcock. This is funny, romantic, classy and superbly directed. There is sparkling dialogue but a scene at a farmhouse table where no words are used and simple looks and gestures communicate so much epitomises the genius of Hitchcock.

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Luke L

Nov 6, 2018

This film was almost good.

Draco S

Oct 15, 2018

I really liked Robert's character and was delighted to see so many surpising twists.

Leia R

Sep 8, 2018

The 39 Steps stressed me out, in a good way. I kept putting myself in the shoes of the protagonist and wondering what I would do. This film is a strange mix of a romantic comedy and a spy thriller. Aside from a few minor missteps, this is a solid Hitchcock movie.

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Alfred Hitchcock

Director

Robert Donat

Richard Hannay

Madeleine Carroll

Pamela

Godfrey Tearle

Professor Jordan

Lucie Mannheim

Miss Annabella Smith

Peggy Ashcroft

Margaret, crofter's wife

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Synopsis

While on vacation in London, Canadian Richard Hannay becomes embroiled in an international spy ring related to the mysterious "39 steps." Then he meets agent Annabella Smith, who is soon killed in his apartment. He must elude the police, who are hunting him for murder, while he tries to stop Professor Jordan from sending secrets out of the country. Hannay is assisted by Pamela, an unwilling accomplice who discovers the truth.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Producer: Michael Balcon, Ivor Montagu
Screenwriter: John Buchan, Charles Bennett, Ian Hay
Distributor: LS Video, Gaumont British Distributors, Grapevine Video
Production Co: Gaumont British Picture Corporation Ltd.
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 1935, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 12, 2017
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Mono

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