Movie Summary: [Mystery/Suspense]

    The best known of Hitchcock's British films, this civilized thriller follows the escapades of Richard Hannay (Robert Donat), who stumbles into the midst of a conspiracy that involves him in a hectic chase across the Scottish moors--a chase in which he is both the pursuer and the pursued. This classic Hitchcock "wrong man" thriller includes stops in John Laurie's crofter's cottage, a political meeting where Hannay improvises a speech without knowing who or what he's supporting, and a period when he's handcuffed to the resentful heroine (Madeleine Carroll). Adapted from John Buchan's novel, "The 39 Steps" encapsulates themes that set the stage for Hitchcock's biggest American thrillers and remains a standout amongst his early works.