This is by all accounts a brilliant film, the best that Hitchcock ever made. From the opening scene in the crowded music hall the action and intrigue run unabated, with one harrowing escape after another. I was particularly struck by the high quality of the performances. I don't believe Hitchcock was able to put together such a consistently outstanding group of players under his aegis in any other film, either before or since. Imagine the likes of Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Godfrey Tearle, and Peggy Ashcroft appearing together in an Alfred Hitchcock film! Shakespeare anybody?
The other reviewers have covered thoroughly the various details and highlights of this film, either pro or con, so I have little to add. Let me just say that I can't recall a film, regardless of the genre, that was so thoroughly satisfying on all levels. Choose your taste: dramatic intensity, action and intrigue, wit and humor, beautiful women(who can act)--it even has a rousing music hall finale that will keep you tapping.
In this film the great director achieved his masterpiece. So how do you figure the people at TCM in a recent tribute to Hitchcock failed to include it in their offerings? Just go out and buy it. It's cheap enough and you won't waste your time changing channels.
The other reviewers have covered thoroughly the various details and highlights of this film, either pro or con, so I have little to add. Let me just say that I can't recall a film, regardless of the genre, that was so thoroughly satisfying on all levels. Choose your taste: dramatic intensity, action and intrigue, wit and humor, beautiful women(who can act)--it even has a rousing music hall finale that will keep you tapping.
In this film the great director achieved his masterpiece. So how do you figure the people at TCM in a recent tribute to Hitchcock failed to include it in their offerings? Just go out and buy it. It's cheap enough and you won't waste your time changing channels.