This classic espionage Hitchcock film is based on the novel ¨The wheel spins¨ by Ethel White . It concerns a woman caught in an intriguing thriller and being visually interesting and mostly involving , exciting and mysterious . A beautiful girl (Margaret Lockwood , though Vivien Leigh tested for the role that eventually went to Margaret) aboard the transcontinental express awakes from a nap to be aware herself that the elderly woman (a delightful Dame May Witty) seated near to her was abducted . After that , she meets a musician scholar (film debut of Michael Redgrave) eager to help her .Comedy! Chills! Chuckles! In a Mystery Express!.The Film That Made ALFRED HITCHCOCK Master of Suspense! Spies! Playing the game of love - and sudden death!
The picture contains suspense , romance , tension , unlimited excitement and plenty of plot twists blended with brief doses of humor . A similar premise is subsequently repeated in ¨Foreign correspondent¨ (1940) but with a male role , an elderly diplomat with a dangerous secret . Besides , it has a literately witty dialog (writings credits by Frank Lauder and Sidney Gilliat) with the usual Hitch's characters , as the smart as well as elegant baddie , a brave , valiant woman and typically distinctive touches as a nun (Catherine Lacey film debut ) wearing high heels or the filming on a train , the vehicle preferred for the director and usually shot in scale model , maquette and transparency . The set in which the movie was shot on was only ninety feet long . Superb performances from main characters (a madcap heroine Margaret Lockwood and a brilliant Michael Redgrave) who develop a ¨screwball¨ relationship , and top-notch acting by supporting roles (particularly May Witty and Paul Lukas , Cecil Parker, Basil Sidney). Hitchcock's first real winner along with ¨39 steps¨ . Filmed in pre-war British time who Hitchcock called adventures period ; later on , he was contracted by David O'Selznick , as he goes to USA to make ¨Rebeca¨ , although his last British film was ¨Jamaica Inn¨ . Rating : Above average , having rave reviews by Orson Welles who reportedly saw this film eleven times and François Truffaut claimed this movie was his favorite Hitchcock and the best representation of Alfred Hitchcock's work . Reworked in 1979 by Anthony Page with Cybill Sheperd and Eliott Gould and Angela Lansbury as as the lady who disappears aboard a Swiss transcontinental express train.
The picture contains suspense , romance , tension , unlimited excitement and plenty of plot twists blended with brief doses of humor . A similar premise is subsequently repeated in ¨Foreign correspondent¨ (1940) but with a male role , an elderly diplomat with a dangerous secret . Besides , it has a literately witty dialog (writings credits by Frank Lauder and Sidney Gilliat) with the usual Hitch's characters , as the smart as well as elegant baddie , a brave , valiant woman and typically distinctive touches as a nun (Catherine Lacey film debut ) wearing high heels or the filming on a train , the vehicle preferred for the director and usually shot in scale model , maquette and transparency . The set in which the movie was shot on was only ninety feet long . Superb performances from main characters (a madcap heroine Margaret Lockwood and a brilliant Michael Redgrave) who develop a ¨screwball¨ relationship , and top-notch acting by supporting roles (particularly May Witty and Paul Lukas , Cecil Parker, Basil Sidney). Hitchcock's first real winner along with ¨39 steps¨ . Filmed in pre-war British time who Hitchcock called adventures period ; later on , he was contracted by David O'Selznick , as he goes to USA to make ¨Rebeca¨ , although his last British film was ¨Jamaica Inn¨ . Rating : Above average , having rave reviews by Orson Welles who reportedly saw this film eleven times and François Truffaut claimed this movie was his favorite Hitchcock and the best representation of Alfred Hitchcock's work . Reworked in 1979 by Anthony Page with Cybill Sheperd and Eliott Gould and Angela Lansbury as as the lady who disappears aboard a Swiss transcontinental express train.