☰
Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The 39 Steps

Play trailer Poster for The 39 Steps 1935 1h 20m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
96% Tomatometer 55 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
While on vacation in London, Canadian Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) becomes embroiled in an international spy ring related to the mysterious "39 steps." Then he meets agent Annabella Smith (Lucie Mannheim), 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 (Godfrey Tearle) from sending secrets out of the country. Hannay is assisted by Pamela (Madeleine Carroll), an unwilling accomplice who discovers the truth.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps

What to Know

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More (55)
Kevin Maher The Times (UK) The 39 Steps is a masterclass in propulsive narrative cinema that even today's so-called blockbuster auteurs should study. Sep 9, 2015 Full Review Martin Chilton Daily Telegraph (UK) 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. Rated: 5/5 Dec 30, 2014 Full Review TIME Magazine 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. Aug 5, 2014 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand ... 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. Oct 5, 2023 Full Review Jorge Luis Borges Sur From an absolutely dull adventure story -- The Thirty-nine Steps by John Buchan -- Hitchcock has drawn a good film. He has invented episodes. He has inserted wittiness and mischievousness where the original contained only heroism. Dec 15, 2021 Full Review Forsyth Hardy Cinema Quarterly [Hitchcock] tells the story clearly and convincingly and the wildly melodramatic moments are in part offset by such well observed sequences as the Scottish political meeting, the Forth Bridge episode, and the discreetly managed scene in the inn bedroom. Feb 4, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More (1000+)
Mads M What a film! Loved it from start to finish Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/05/25 Full Review Stephen C A success for a spy movie in 1 1/3 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/02/25 Full Review jacob c The 39 Steps proves itself as an early triumph for Hitchcock, with solid performances, a sharp script, and a brisk, rousing and complex spy story. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/23/25 Full Review John P There are few scenes worth admiring and enjoying in this movie—Richard's initial escape aboard a Scotland-bound train was mildly exciting—but it never quite manages to amass any real momentum or tension, with Hitchcock's lackadaisical approach draining the proceedings of its suspense. It's an underwhelming vibe that's perpetuated by Donat's less-than-frantic turn as the laid-back central character, with Richard's consistently cavalier demeanor preventing the viewer from wholeheartedly working up any real interest in his supposed to be perilous plight. The lack of chemistry between Donat and Carroll's respective characters only compounds the hands-off feel, and it's clear, too, that the abrupt and anticlimactic finale ensures that the whole thing ends on a decidedly forgettable note, which finally confirms The 39 Steps' place as a fairly palpable misfire from Hitchcock. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 05/10/25 Full Review Russ G I have to utterly reject the premise of a man and woman handcuffed together for days on end. Think about it.... Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/24/25 Full Review Autumn M The 39 Steps is an early, mystery thriller from Alfred Hitchcock. It was interesting to see a 1930's mystery without the distractions of fancy costumes, set designs and explosions. This film is a just a good story, with convincing characters who find themselves in interesting predicaments. Recommended. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The 39 Steps

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

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

More Like This

View All
Secret Agent 86% 47% Secret Agent Watchlist The Man Who Knew Too Much 88% 67% The Man Who Knew Too Much Watchlist The Woman Alone 91% 70% The Woman Alone Watchlist Young and Innocent 100% 62% Young and Innocent Watchlist Saboteur 81% 72% Saboteur Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps (1935) The 39 Steps (1935) The 39 Steps (1935) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis While on vacation in London, Canadian Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) becomes embroiled in an international spy ring related to the mysterious "39 steps." Then he meets agent Annabella Smith (Lucie Mannheim), 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 (Godfrey Tearle) from sending secrets out of the country. Hannay is assisted by Pamela (Madeleine Carroll), 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
Most Popular at Home Now