If
Hitchcock's version of "The 39 Steps" is the Mona Lisa then this
version is the Mona Lisa painted by a second-rate art student or even a
not-very-talented child. It was directed by Ralph Thomas, which says a
lot, and written by Frank Harvey and they change things just enough not
to make it a carbon copy, using actual Scottish locations and casting
Kenneth More, who is a very different Richard Hannay from Robert Donat.
Actually More was a very personable actor and it's he, and he alone,
who makes this as entertaining as it is; just don't expect too much from
the poor man. Taina Elg is the pretty but pretty non-descript heroine
though Barry Jones is an excellent villain and Brenda De Banzie does her
best to banish thoughts of Peggy Ashcroft. Photographed in colour by
Ernest Steward so its also quite easy on the eye.
If
Hitchcock's version of "The 39 Steps" is the Mona Lisa then this
version is the Mona Lisa painted by a second-rate art student or even a
not-very-talented child. It was directed by Ralph Thomas, which says a
lot, and written by Frank Harvey and they change things just enough not
to make it a carbon copy, using actual Scottish locations and casting
Kenneth More, who is a very different Richard Hannay from Robert Donat.
Actually More was a very personable actor and it's he, and he alone,
who makes this as entertaining as it is; just don't expect too much from
the poor man. Taina Elg is the pretty but pretty non-descript heroine
though Barry Jones is an excellent villain and Brenda De Banzie does her
best to banish thoughts of Peggy Ashcroft. Photographed in colour by
Ernest Steward so its also quite easy on the eye.
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