MovieChat Forums > The 39 Steps (1935) Discussion > Loved this film, hated North by Northwes...

Loved this film, hated North by Northwest

posted 11 years ago by Mr_Ectoplasma
11 replies | jump to latest

I'm taking a film studies elective course at my university on Alfred Hitchock; I've taken several film studies courses in the past, but never anything on Hitchcock, and I've only seen his most obvious films (Psycho, The Birds, Rear Window).

Long story short, we started out the semester by watching North by Northwest, and I can assuredly say that I did not like it whatsoever. It was plodding, the tone of it was unappealing, I found the characters uninteresting and the humor displaced and awkward in the context of the plot. I just... yuck. Didn't like it.

The following week we screened The 39 Steps, which my professor described beforehand as "almost the source material for North by Northwest" (i.e. that North by Northwest was practically a remake). I thought to myself "Oh dear god, not again." I expected it to be even worse, but to my absolute and utter shock, I LOVED this film. Absolutely loved it. Perhaps it was gorgeous black and white photography, or that it was a bit more dark in tone, or that I enjoyed the characters and the actors more— whatever it was, I found this film infinitely more enjoyable and much more fascinating than North by Northwest (I also got to see it on a big screen in the university auditorium, so that made the experience even better). I was gripped by this film, and knew I was in for a treat immediately after Annabella's death scene. I continued to have my eyes locked to the screen and my mind pondering the pieces for the duration of the film, whereas during North by Northwest I was practically dozing off at times.

It seems that most people have the reverse opinion of this and hail North by Northwest while dogging The 39 Steps, but I'm in the minority of those who thought this was unsurpassed. Lovely cinematography, a dark noir feel to it, and much more mysterious and offbeat— definitely more on the "thriller" side of things than North by Northwest, IMO. Anyone else in my camp on this? I loved this movie so much that I went to Barnes & Noble this week and spent a whopping $35 on the Criterion DVD, if that tells you anything.

[–] Spicy_Club_Sauce 11 years ago

I'm right there with you. I also took a Hitchcock course in undergrad (such a fun class), and I was pretty surprised by how much I didn't care for Hitchcock's most renowned films (Psycho, North by Northwest, The Birds, etc) and by how much I loved some of his lesser known films (The 39 Steps, Strangers on a Train, Shadow of a Doubt, The Lady Vanishes). Actually, I take that back. I really enjoyed Rear Window, which everyone knows and loves.

But yeah, absolutely no interest in rewatching North by Northwest. Cary Grant? Yawn. Give me some Robert Donat or Jimmy Stewart any day of the week.

At this point, I can easily say that The 39 Steps is my favorite Hitchcock film, but I still haven't seen Saboteur, The Wrong Man, or Foreign Correspondent, and I hear they're all fantastic, so that might change things up a bit. Either way, North by Northwest will likely remain at the bottom of my Hitchcock list, right next to Marnie, The Birds, and To Catch a Thief.

[–] Mr_Ectoplasma 11 years ago

THANK GOD I'm not alone in this. I mean, I like Psycho just fine, and Rear Window is great, but there's something about his earlier British productions that I find much more… genuine? I loathed North by Northwest, and we recently watched Vertigo which I could take or leave. I really liked Strangers on a Train though as well, and I enjoyed Notorious too. The Lady Vanishes was a personal favorite as well. Basically, we've yet to watch a film in that class since we began with North by Northwest that I disliked even remotely as much.

[–] Shiddy 11 years ago

The 39 Steps is indeed more interesting to me, I found the dialogue pretty hilarious at times, with all the different British accents, particularly the main guy Hannay, and it's from the 1930s so interesting to see those times

and Cary Grant is legendary and I love him, but he was better in To Catch A Thief, just really boring in North By Northwest (which isn't a bad movie, just overrated I guess)

[–] clivey6 11 years ago

For me, Grant is like Moore in a Bond film in NBNW, while Donat's 39 Steps is an early Connery Bond film. I just never take the danger seriously in North by Northwest.

That said, the later film might be a more enjoyable movie for the cinema crowd or watching as a family on TV, it is more glamorous and fun, lightweight. The 39 Steps is one for watching alone in the dead of night.

[–] gamertrav 11 years ago

I agree the danger in The 39 Steps did seem less outlandish and more threatening. I think both are good films though, and it's interesting how the same director can set such a different tone in 2 movies that are pretty similar in plot.

[–] TheMociety 10 years ago

I can understand why you feel this way as there is many times I like some of the lesser known films more than the popular ones with Directors. Having said that, I like them both in a different way.

If you're not taking any steps forward, you're not moving at all.

[–] NxNWRocks 9 years ago

Not sure how a movie about a man on the run can be called "plodding?"

"Worthington, we're being attacked by giant bats!"

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] louiseculmer 8 years ago

i like them both, though i prefer North by Northwest. i find it more amusing on th whole. I've always found the music hall part of 39 Steps a bit unsatisfactory.

[–] DracTarashV 8 years ago

From the direction to the pure entertainment value, I prefer North By Northwest myself. Neither film's plot is any more gripping than the other in my eyes, but overall I find NBN to be a more flavorful (if you will) and ambitious Hitchcock film. The only thing I like better about The 39 Steps (a very fine film), is Robert Donant as the leading man. He's slightly more interesting to watch than Grant.

You want something corny? You got it!

[–] Cult_of_Kibner 8 years ago

39 Steps is good, North by Northwest is better.