The Lady Vanishes

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The Lady Vanishes

1938

1h 37m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

On a train headed for England a group of travelers is delayed by an avalanche. Holed up in a hotel in a fictional European country, young Iris (Margaret Lockwood) befriends elderly Miss Froy (Dame May Whitty). When the train resumes, Iris suffers a bout of unconsciousness and wakes to find the old woman has disappeared. The other passengers ominously deny Miss Froy ever existed, so Iris begins to investigate with another traveler (Michael Redgrave) and, as the pair sleuth, romantic sparks fly.

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Critics Consensus

One of Alfred Hitchcock's last British films, this glamorous thriller provides an early glimpse of the director at his most stylishly entertaining.

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

More than any of the English-speaking film men, Hitchcock is a one-man show, getting every detail straight in his head and the way he wants it before the first camera starts rolling.

Dec 26, 2023

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

An enjoyable mystery...

Oct 10, 2022

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John C. Mosher

The New Yorker

As full of surprises, horrors, thrills, even humor, as the other Hitchcock productions.

Aug 11, 2022

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

The movie remains marvelous, frothy and funny in a manner Hitchcock would not attempt again until 'North By Northwest.'

Jul 26, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The Lady Vanishes vies with 1935’s The 39 Steps as the greatest picture from Hitchcock's early UK years.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 17, 2025

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Hitchcock effortlessly navigates this vivid thriller from light comedy to high tension and back again, creating one of his most enchanting and entertaining mysteries.

Aug 19, 2023

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Ted B.

3.0 stars; Early Hitchcock at the end of his British productions. This film reminded me somewhat of "39 Steps." Hitchcock had an obsession with stories of ordinary people caught up in a larger-than-life conspiracy, such as "North by Northwest." You had to listen closely to the dialogue due to the heavy British accent in some scenes. Nonetheless, I found the plot very compelling, along with its sense of humor.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/10/25

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Joni M.

I enjoyed the two mains. The plots lame.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/19/25

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Ken K

How this movie got 98% is beyond me. I guess in 1938 plot coherence and some form of realism were not that abundant. "Stylish" for stylish sake can lead you into bizarre places.The first half sets up as an intriguing mystery and then it all falls apart. The denouement of the reveal is ridiculous as are the heroics of ordinary people. It all becomes a strange jumble stumbling to the finsh. And if Lockwood is supposed to be single, she wears an engagement ring the entire film. Vastly over rated.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

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John G

I assume that most of these enthusiastic reviews are some combination of British/Hitchcock fans. If you're not British, the first 50 minutes are barely understandable prattle. My wife finished the movie, but was shaking her head by the finish. Fortunately, this was his last British film. Hollywood turned out much better for him - and us.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/01/25

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Kim V

Classic Hitchcock, this movie is a 'must see' for any Hitchcock fan or, anyone period. The humor, suspence and all out unsuspecting ignorance all combine to keep you on the edge of your seat and yelling at your TV. You'll want to watch it again and again. Lockwood, Redgrave and Dame May Whitty are of course, extraordinary. Charters and Caldicott, classic tongue in cheek characters.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/25

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Stephen C

1 hour and 38 minutes of successful mystery solving. In British English with English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

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Alfred Hitchcock

Director

Margaret Lockwood

Iris Matilda Henderson

Michael Redgrave

Gilbert Redman

Dame May Whitty

Miss Froy, Governess

Paul Lukas

Dr. Hartz of Prague

Googie Withers

Blanche

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Synopsis

On a train headed for England a group of travelers is delayed by an avalanche. Holed up in a hotel in a fictional European country, young Iris (Margaret Lockwood) befriends elderly Miss Froy (Dame May Whitty). When the train resumes, Iris suffers a bout of unconsciousness and wakes to find the old woman has disappeared. The other passengers ominously deny Miss Froy ever existed, so Iris begins to investigate with another traveler (Michael Redgrave) and, as the pair sleuth, romantic sparks fly.

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Producer: Edward Black
Screenwriter: Ethel Lina White, Sidney Gilliat, Frank Launder
Distributor: Criterion Collection, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp., Gaumont British Distributors
Production Co: Gainsborough Pictures
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 1938, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 8, 2015
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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