I was pleased with this. I'm a great fan of Hitchcock, but I've not seen many of the early films. This one did not disappoint. It is the sad eternal triangle. It's a time when a man's oath to his best friend supersedes all, even if it means giving up the woman he truly loves. The young lady in question is of the lower classes and beautiful. It would be normal for her to marry the laughing sailor. The lawyer is actually above her station. When news comes that he betrothed has died, it would be natural for her to marry the lawyer. However, he is fraught with contradictions. His father was a failure and he is in line for a judgeship. He gets her pregnant but won't fess up. The sailor returns from the sea. News of his death was incorrect. So now we have the problem. She loves the lawyer. She doesn't love the sailor. But she has given her word to wait. Instead of being honorable, the lawyer wants it both ways. it has a pretty harsh ending which I won't spoil. I thought for a film of 1929 this was pretty good
54 Reviews
"I resign this this dignity that I strove for"
Steffi_P29 November 2007
Hitchcock's final silent film is another drama focusing on a love triangle his primary plot basis in these early days before he became the master of suspense.
In many ways The Manxman can be seen as something of a loose remake of The Ring (1928), following a similar story of a love triangle between a man, his wife and his best friend, with similar characters and circumstances and the same lead man in Carl Brisson. However while that earlier boxing drama eventually pulled its punch (excuse the pun), The Manxman is a far harsher affair, with a ruthless disregard for its characters' fates that prefigures film noir.
As was Hitchcock's style from his earliest works, his aim here as a director is to place the audience inside the scenario, no matter how uncomfortable it makes them. The film is almost entirely composed of point-of-view shots, and an unusually large number of them in which an actor looks straight into the camera. Time and time again Carl Brisson's big innocent face stares out at us, as if implicating us in the guilt of the other two leads.
This also happens to be one of a small number of Hitchcock pictures which is very beautiful to look at. There are plenty of exquisite location shots and great use of natural lighting, in ironic counterpoint to the darkness of the story.
While not quite the best of them, The Manxman is perhaps the most confident of Hitchcock's silent pictures. Whereas the majority of his silents relied too much upon rather obvious expressionist camera techniques, The Manxman is shot much more straightforwardly, and yet it still has a smooth, flowing style and isn't cluttered up with too many title cards. For me though, Hitchcock didn't really become an interesting director until he started making talkies.
In many ways The Manxman can be seen as something of a loose remake of The Ring (1928), following a similar story of a love triangle between a man, his wife and his best friend, with similar characters and circumstances and the same lead man in Carl Brisson. However while that earlier boxing drama eventually pulled its punch (excuse the pun), The Manxman is a far harsher affair, with a ruthless disregard for its characters' fates that prefigures film noir.
As was Hitchcock's style from his earliest works, his aim here as a director is to place the audience inside the scenario, no matter how uncomfortable it makes them. The film is almost entirely composed of point-of-view shots, and an unusually large number of them in which an actor looks straight into the camera. Time and time again Carl Brisson's big innocent face stares out at us, as if implicating us in the guilt of the other two leads.
This also happens to be one of a small number of Hitchcock pictures which is very beautiful to look at. There are plenty of exquisite location shots and great use of natural lighting, in ironic counterpoint to the darkness of the story.
While not quite the best of them, The Manxman is perhaps the most confident of Hitchcock's silent pictures. Whereas the majority of his silents relied too much upon rather obvious expressionist camera techniques, The Manxman is shot much more straightforwardly, and yet it still has a smooth, flowing style and isn't cluttered up with too many title cards. For me though, Hitchcock didn't really become an interesting director until he started making talkies.
Overlooked, uncharacteristic Hitchcock gem
jpsgranville7 June 2009
Though immortalised for his thrillers, Alfred Hitchcock always wanted to try his hand at other genres, especially in his earlier British films. This film and 'Jamaica Inn' are two cases in point.
Above all what he wanted to do was to engage the audience with the emotions of the characters, and this he successfully achieves with what is essentially soap opera material with his usual technical mastery - such as the stern father seen from the fiancée's perspective through the glass of a window, or the girl's diary where she turns the pages and finds her true love's name gradually dominating her life. The locations are also uncommonly rich and beautiful for a Hitchcock film - more so than 'North by Northwest' or 'Vertigo' - with Cornwall very atmospherically standing in for the Isle of Man!
It was Hitch's last *total* silent ('Blackmail' came out in both sound & silent versions),and showcases the first Hitchcock blonde of sorts, pretty little Anny Ondra, whose career was sadly numbered once talkies came along - in 'Blackmail', her Swedish-accented voice was dubbed by Joan Barry.
Knowing it's Hitch, you expect a big action finale or an attempted murder of some kind, but it never happens. In terms of style I actually find Anthony Asquith's similar 'A Cottage on Dartmoor' much more exciting. But viewers should wash preconceived notions aside, and just enjoy the film for what it is.
Above all what he wanted to do was to engage the audience with the emotions of the characters, and this he successfully achieves with what is essentially soap opera material with his usual technical mastery - such as the stern father seen from the fiancée's perspective through the glass of a window, or the girl's diary where she turns the pages and finds her true love's name gradually dominating her life. The locations are also uncommonly rich and beautiful for a Hitchcock film - more so than 'North by Northwest' or 'Vertigo' - with Cornwall very atmospherically standing in for the Isle of Man!
It was Hitch's last *total* silent ('Blackmail' came out in both sound & silent versions),and showcases the first Hitchcock blonde of sorts, pretty little Anny Ondra, whose career was sadly numbered once talkies came along - in 'Blackmail', her Swedish-accented voice was dubbed by Joan Barry.
Knowing it's Hitch, you expect a big action finale or an attempted murder of some kind, but it never happens. In terms of style I actually find Anthony Asquith's similar 'A Cottage on Dartmoor' much more exciting. But viewers should wash preconceived notions aside, and just enjoy the film for what it is.
Early Hitchcock
Bucs19606 October 2003
This is a lovely, lovely film set on the Isle of Man, a place unfamiliar to many. The camera swoops over the cliffs and sea to highlight the stark beauty of the landscape which is the star of the film. Don't expect the usual Hitchcock touches that were present in his later films...he developed them more fully in his very early talkies "Murder" and "Blackmail" and somewhat in his silent "The Lodger". The use of inter-titles is limited and works well. The cast here is good, Carl Brisson (who would later become the father-in-law of Rosalind Russell) and Anny Ondra who Hitchcock would use again in "Blackmail"; however, some of the plot lines are not fully developed and one rather important element is left unsaid in the story's ending. Be that as it may, if you are a fan of the Master, it's required viewing. It will fill in the history of his work and although it is atypical of his later films, it is worth the watch.
Plain film, gorgeous Ondra
Spondonman13 May 2005
First time of watching this simple silent, and of course I like it as I wouldn't comment on (subjective of course) crap! It's a plain tale of a love triangle set on the Isle of Man, the woman (Ondra) falls in love with the best friend (Keen) of her absent husband-to-be (Brisson). Thanks to having to get round the censorship rules, you have to pay attention about 48 minutes in (out of 82 minutes running time on my tape) although it should be fairly obvious what was going to happen. As the immortal Bard, Charlie Chaplin said in The 1942 Gold Rush "Buzz Buzz Buzz". As Ondra stays dressed I can only surmise that this was the angle from which Hitch got his kicks.
And Anny Ondra is wondrous to behold, she was a real beauty who still looks modern all the way from '29 and worth the price of any DVD alone. She held my attention anyway, and whatever the outcome of the story would have been I would have been on her side!
But what she saw in either of her lovers is beyond me I'm afraid - Brisson couldn't stop laughing and Keen looked as if he'd never smiled in his life. It's not quite up to the level of Flesh and the Devil, but there's so few British silent films extant that it's well worth a look, or even just to view Hitchcock's early efforts.
And Anny Ondra is wondrous to behold, she was a real beauty who still looks modern all the way from '29 and worth the price of any DVD alone. She held my attention anyway, and whatever the outcome of the story would have been I would have been on her side!
But what she saw in either of her lovers is beyond me I'm afraid - Brisson couldn't stop laughing and Keen looked as if he'd never smiled in his life. It's not quite up to the level of Flesh and the Devil, but there's so few British silent films extant that it's well worth a look, or even just to view Hitchcock's early efforts.
Hitchcock's last silent film, and one of his better ones
knoll36021 February 2011
The Manxman is Alfred Hitchcock's last silent film before he switched over to sound with Blackmail (1929). This movie is about a fisherman named Pete Quilliam and his childhood friend Philip Christian. Pete is in love with a girl named Kate but Kate's father disapproves of their marriage so he goes off to Africa to first make some money. He tells Philip to look after her while he is gone but Kate and Philip end up falling in love. Since Kate promised she'd wait for Pete she still ends up marrying him upon his return but she also has an affair with Philip and things start to turn ugly as Pete starts to learn more and more about what is going on. The film is based off of a novel and the story is very good and interesting although it seems to follow Hitchcock's typical theme of a love triangle which he has in many of his films.
The acting in the movie is very good overall with Carl Brisson as Pete. He pulls off happiness, sadness, anger, and concern all very well which is a wide spectrum of emotion for one actor. Malcolm Keen plays Philip who does a less spectacular but still decent job. And then there is Anny Ondra who plays Kate and she does a worthwhile job at showing love for Philip but not for Pete. So while all of the actors do a good job it is really Brisson who steals the show.
All of the special effects in the film seem pretty good with each of the sets looking nice. The courtroom, dock, house, and just about everything else looks right. And during a drowning scene it also looks pretty real. The musical score is mediocre and feels like it's just a lot of recycled music from earlier Hitchcock films but at least it gets the job done.
Overall this film isn't perfect by any means but it does have a lot of positive qualities which make it worth watching. The plot is really interesting and entertaining if you aren't already sick of Hitchcock's love triangle theme and the acting in the film is overall pretty good. And the special effects here are great even if the film does have some mediocre music. I'd say that this is one of Hitchcock's better silent films so give it a watch if you get the chance. Score: 7/10
The acting in the movie is very good overall with Carl Brisson as Pete. He pulls off happiness, sadness, anger, and concern all very well which is a wide spectrum of emotion for one actor. Malcolm Keen plays Philip who does a less spectacular but still decent job. And then there is Anny Ondra who plays Kate and she does a worthwhile job at showing love for Philip but not for Pete. So while all of the actors do a good job it is really Brisson who steals the show.
All of the special effects in the film seem pretty good with each of the sets looking nice. The courtroom, dock, house, and just about everything else looks right. And during a drowning scene it also looks pretty real. The musical score is mediocre and feels like it's just a lot of recycled music from earlier Hitchcock films but at least it gets the job done.
Overall this film isn't perfect by any means but it does have a lot of positive qualities which make it worth watching. The plot is really interesting and entertaining if you aren't already sick of Hitchcock's love triangle theme and the acting in the film is overall pretty good. And the special effects here are great even if the film does have some mediocre music. I'd say that this is one of Hitchcock's better silent films so give it a watch if you get the chance. Score: 7/10
a sweet and rich silent film that is maybe a little too long for its own good
TheUnknown837-118 November 2009
By 1929, Hitchcock was becoming quite the storyteller, but he wasn't the master of film-making just yet. Like many directors of his age, he started out making silent films and taking whatever plots and premises that would come his way. 1929's "The Manxman" was Hitchcock's last silent film and I think it's his most rich and interesting silent film. The story is another love-triangle that was popular in the era that this motion picture was made. And although the premise of this kind of movie is somewhat familiar, I did find "The Manxman" to be fairly interesting, if somewhat drawn out.
Acting by the cast was exceptionally well. Gorgeous silent movie actress Anny Ondra was very good as the girl who finds herself the embodiment of affection of two men she's fond of. Malcolm Keen and Carl Brisson were also very strong in their roles. And as silly-sounding as a story like this is, I enjoyed the movie quite a bit. Enough to take it seriously.
Now at two hours, "The Manxman" is a bit slow, maybe too much for its own good. Like a lot of Hitchcock's early-career films, it's a decent movie, but not a great one. It won't linger on in your memory forever like the masterpieces that Hitchcock would make later in his career. But hey, everybody has to start out somewhere.
Acting by the cast was exceptionally well. Gorgeous silent movie actress Anny Ondra was very good as the girl who finds herself the embodiment of affection of two men she's fond of. Malcolm Keen and Carl Brisson were also very strong in their roles. And as silly-sounding as a story like this is, I enjoyed the movie quite a bit. Enough to take it seriously.
Now at two hours, "The Manxman" is a bit slow, maybe too much for its own good. Like a lot of Hitchcock's early-career films, it's a decent movie, but not a great one. It won't linger on in your memory forever like the masterpieces that Hitchcock would make later in his career. But hey, everybody has to start out somewhere.
Last of the Silents
SendiTolver17 August 2018
By the 1929 Alfred Hitchcock was highly regarded as a film director, but still he was obliged to direct the movies British International Pictures chose for him. 'The Manxman' is one of those many mediocre (although technically superior) early Hitchcock's melodramas, still it is one of the strongest silents (after 'The Lodger' and 'The Ring') of 'The Master of Suspense'.
Former boxer Carl Brisson stars as fisherman Pete Quilliam who falls in love into gorgeous Kate (gorgeous Anny Ondra). When Pete has to go to work in Africa he asks his best friend Philip (Malcolm Keen) to take care of his girlfriend. Unfortunately Kate and Philip start to feel more and more towards each other, and when Pete returns home, the emotions and tears start to flow.
Although very simple story 'The Manxman' stands above rest of the numerous similar melodramas because Hitchcock's masterful direction and he doesn't allow the film to turn into cheese fest. All three main actors are doing great job, but especially wonderful is Anny Ondra, who is simply mesmerizing on the screen.
Not the most memorable film, but it is worth to watch only for Anny Ondra.
Former boxer Carl Brisson stars as fisherman Pete Quilliam who falls in love into gorgeous Kate (gorgeous Anny Ondra). When Pete has to go to work in Africa he asks his best friend Philip (Malcolm Keen) to take care of his girlfriend. Unfortunately Kate and Philip start to feel more and more towards each other, and when Pete returns home, the emotions and tears start to flow.
Although very simple story 'The Manxman' stands above rest of the numerous similar melodramas because Hitchcock's masterful direction and he doesn't allow the film to turn into cheese fest. All three main actors are doing great job, but especially wonderful is Anny Ondra, who is simply mesmerizing on the screen.
Not the most memorable film, but it is worth to watch only for Anny Ondra.
In a nutshell, interesting photography on the Manx location but a sappy melodrama of a story.
ajoyce1va14 September 2007
My main complaint against this film is not the story, which hinges on the conflict of love versus class sentiments, and therefore is far more British than anything we can relate to in American cinema. No, the thing that struck me again and again as I watched this sudsy rubbish was the bad casting. The girl, a popular European 27 year old actress of that era, looks (intentionally, I think) like a ditzy 18 year old version of Jean Harlow. 18 may be a good age for a girl in trouble in traditional British lower class society, but it makes it hard to understand why the much older Philip would be in love with her, or why after her girl-in-trouble problem is solved, she would be so much in love with him as to push the love triangle into tragedy. The emotion flow doesn't make sense in either direction.
For the role of Philip -- good lawyer, unreliable friend and lover -- we see a man clearly in his 40's who looks old enough to be the girl's father. The third node in the triangle is Danish actor Carl Brisson (34 when this was made) , whose most often used talent in this film was his ability to grin glassy eyed into the camera, showing us two enormous dimple lines.
Despite the limitations of the casting and "Pete's" acting ability, the performance qualities aren't too bad. For example, when the town doctor comes down to announce the birth of the girl's child, he first asks "Who's the father?", as if he was the only person in a small fishing village who wouldn't know. Philip stands up excitedly and is about to claim the honor, but realizes that he can't give himself away, so he makes a small gesture to point at Pete. Nicely handled.
Bottom line is that there's very little evidence of Hitchcock's later, more polished style, and not much other reason to rent this movie.
For the role of Philip -- good lawyer, unreliable friend and lover -- we see a man clearly in his 40's who looks old enough to be the girl's father. The third node in the triangle is Danish actor Carl Brisson (34 when this was made) , whose most often used talent in this film was his ability to grin glassy eyed into the camera, showing us two enormous dimple lines.
Despite the limitations of the casting and "Pete's" acting ability, the performance qualities aren't too bad. For example, when the town doctor comes down to announce the birth of the girl's child, he first asks "Who's the father?", as if he was the only person in a small fishing village who wouldn't know. Philip stands up excitedly and is about to claim the honor, but realizes that he can't give himself away, so he makes a small gesture to point at Pete. Nicely handled.
Bottom line is that there's very little evidence of Hitchcock's later, more polished style, and not much other reason to rent this movie.
Wow...a film about the Island of Man!
planktonrules26 July 2009
The "Manxman" in the title refers to a person from the Isle of Man--an independent part of the British Crown but technically not part of the United Kingdom. This large island is located between Britain and Ireland and actually produces its own money and has its own particular language (though English is commonly spoken). Outside the UK, I doubt if that man people are familiar with this place or would recognize the three-legged symbol (the "triskelion") on its flag. Just a bit of history to put the whole thing in perspective. Plus, it's the only film I can recall having seen that's set on this island.
The film begins with two friends living on the island. Pete is a poor fisherman and Philip is from a well to do family. They both are in love with the same girl, though because Philip is such a nice guy, he stands aside and says nothing. However, the girl's father won't have Pete for a son-in-law because he's so poor, so Philip goes off to sea to earn his fortune. Unfortunately, word soon comes to everything that Pete has died, so Philip announces to the girl that he loves her. Coincidentally, it turns out she always loved Philip as well, so they plan on marrying. Then, out of the blue, Pete returns--he didn't die while at sea after all. The first thing he does is ask the girl again to be his bride. Heartbroken but feeling responsible since Pete asked her first, she agrees. Unfortunately, unknown to her and Philip is that she is carrying Philip's baby!! Yikes.
Well, after the baby is born, apparently Pete couldn't figure out that the kid was his and Philip moves to England to start life anew. However, soon she follows him--leaving poor Pete stuck at home with the kid. What a mess, but in spite of this Pete keeps up a brave face and tells everyone she's on holiday. Later, he comes to see Philip to ask him to help find his wife--little did he know that she was with his best friend all along.
If you think about it, this plot is very much like a soap opera and is nothing like the films for which Hitchcock became well-known. As far as the film goes, it is pretty interesting but the plot suffers from one problem. When Pete returned from sea, had they just told him the truth--that they fell in love AFTER they heard he was dead--then the whole mess could have been avoided. Sure, Pete would have been upset but would have no doubt understood. However, aside from this obvious solution, it's a pretty interesting film and is well made, though a tad predictable. As far as the acting goes, it's pretty good for a silent--without an serious over-emoting.
By the way, Hitchcock's next film (also 1929) turned out to be Britain's first sound film. While this was well behind the US move to sound, it was still early compared to the rest of the world.
The film begins with two friends living on the island. Pete is a poor fisherman and Philip is from a well to do family. They both are in love with the same girl, though because Philip is such a nice guy, he stands aside and says nothing. However, the girl's father won't have Pete for a son-in-law because he's so poor, so Philip goes off to sea to earn his fortune. Unfortunately, word soon comes to everything that Pete has died, so Philip announces to the girl that he loves her. Coincidentally, it turns out she always loved Philip as well, so they plan on marrying. Then, out of the blue, Pete returns--he didn't die while at sea after all. The first thing he does is ask the girl again to be his bride. Heartbroken but feeling responsible since Pete asked her first, she agrees. Unfortunately, unknown to her and Philip is that she is carrying Philip's baby!! Yikes.
Well, after the baby is born, apparently Pete couldn't figure out that the kid was his and Philip moves to England to start life anew. However, soon she follows him--leaving poor Pete stuck at home with the kid. What a mess, but in spite of this Pete keeps up a brave face and tells everyone she's on holiday. Later, he comes to see Philip to ask him to help find his wife--little did he know that she was with his best friend all along.
If you think about it, this plot is very much like a soap opera and is nothing like the films for which Hitchcock became well-known. As far as the film goes, it is pretty interesting but the plot suffers from one problem. When Pete returned from sea, had they just told him the truth--that they fell in love AFTER they heard he was dead--then the whole mess could have been avoided. Sure, Pete would have been upset but would have no doubt understood. However, aside from this obvious solution, it's a pretty interesting film and is well made, though a tad predictable. As far as the acting goes, it's pretty good for a silent--without an serious over-emoting.
By the way, Hitchcock's next film (also 1929) turned out to be Britain's first sound film. While this was well behind the US move to sound, it was still early compared to the rest of the world.
Like an episode of Eastenders (but not quite as bad)
JoeytheBrit29 June 2011
Anny Ondra, eh? What a woman.
The plot of Hitchcock's last silent movie reads like a storyline from the unaccountably popular Brit soap 'EastEnders.' Even though she doesn't really love him, Kate (the truly delectable Anny Ondra), a flirtatious pub landlord's daughter, rashly promises to wait for her young beau Pete (a hulking Carl Brisson) to return from Africa where he plans to go to make his fortune after the surly pub landlord refuses him her hand in marriage. She loves Philip (Malcolm Keen), an up-and-coming lawyer who just happens to be Pete's best mate and who also reciprocates her feelings of ardour. Lord only knows what she sees in him though, as he comes across as something of a stuffed shirt and looks like Piers Fletcher-Dervish. Anyway, word comes from Africa that Pete has died, leaving Kate and Philip free to declare their love for one another – something neither had felt able to do when poor old Pete was alive.
Of course, this being an opera of the soapiest kind, it turns out the jungle drums got it wrong and Pete isn't dead after all! He returns to the Isle of Man a wealthier man, instantly making himself more acceptable to Kate's father. Now this is where you'd think Kate and Philip would come clean – after all, they thought Pete was dead – but instead they keep quiet about their affair and Kate marries Pete out of a sense of obligation.
There's plenty more plot to follow, but suffice it to say that a lot of hand-wringing and soul-searching follows. And either Kate and Phil were still at it after Pete returned from Africa, or Pete's too thick to do the maths and release that he was still ocean-bound when his loving wife conceived.
The plot summary above actually makes the film sound more interesting than it really is. Everyone over-acts terribly, and all the characters are too shallowly drawn to be of much interest. The plot grows increasingly silly as coincidence is piled upon contrivance, and the downbeat ending proves an inadequate pay-off.
The plot of Hitchcock's last silent movie reads like a storyline from the unaccountably popular Brit soap 'EastEnders.' Even though she doesn't really love him, Kate (the truly delectable Anny Ondra), a flirtatious pub landlord's daughter, rashly promises to wait for her young beau Pete (a hulking Carl Brisson) to return from Africa where he plans to go to make his fortune after the surly pub landlord refuses him her hand in marriage. She loves Philip (Malcolm Keen), an up-and-coming lawyer who just happens to be Pete's best mate and who also reciprocates her feelings of ardour. Lord only knows what she sees in him though, as he comes across as something of a stuffed shirt and looks like Piers Fletcher-Dervish. Anyway, word comes from Africa that Pete has died, leaving Kate and Philip free to declare their love for one another – something neither had felt able to do when poor old Pete was alive.
Of course, this being an opera of the soapiest kind, it turns out the jungle drums got it wrong and Pete isn't dead after all! He returns to the Isle of Man a wealthier man, instantly making himself more acceptable to Kate's father. Now this is where you'd think Kate and Philip would come clean – after all, they thought Pete was dead – but instead they keep quiet about their affair and Kate marries Pete out of a sense of obligation.
There's plenty more plot to follow, but suffice it to say that a lot of hand-wringing and soul-searching follows. And either Kate and Phil were still at it after Pete returned from Africa, or Pete's too thick to do the maths and release that he was still ocean-bound when his loving wife conceived.
The plot summary above actually makes the film sound more interesting than it really is. Everyone over-acts terribly, and all the characters are too shallowly drawn to be of much interest. The plot grows increasingly silly as coincidence is piled upon contrivance, and the downbeat ending proves an inadequate pay-off.
excellent love triangle on the Isle of Man
didi-56 June 2009
Hitchcock's final silent, 'The Manxman', has two stars you'll see elsewhere in his films - Carl Brisson, from 'The Ring', and Anny Ondra, from 'Blackmail'. It's a tale of three friends, a promise, a search for riches, and forbidden love. Malcolm Keen plays the friend who finds his loyalties tested while he strives to make good in his chosen career of the law.
Beautifully shot and quite modern in tone, this boasts a lovely performance from Ondra, while Brisson convinces as a fisherman who trusts too much and sees too little. At times this story seems to veer towards the tragic, but has an ending which does work. The Cornish scenery which stands in for the Isle of Man is lovely, while the Hitchcock trademarks are clearly there. Well worth a look and very enjoyable.
Beautifully shot and quite modern in tone, this boasts a lovely performance from Ondra, while Brisson convinces as a fisherman who trusts too much and sees too little. At times this story seems to veer towards the tragic, but has an ending which does work. The Cornish scenery which stands in for the Isle of Man is lovely, while the Hitchcock trademarks are clearly there. Well worth a look and very enjoyable.
Hitchcock Got Better!
Sylviastel15 August 2013
This film was much better than an earlier film, "The Farmer's Wife." In this film, the cast included Malcolm Keen (Geoffrey Keen's father). This film has a great cast even I don't know them very well. The story of a young beautiful woman, an innocent, and two men. She was the mistress to a powerful man and marries a young man. They become a family. The story is set on the Isle of Man. The story gets better and intrigue follows the small cast of characters. The courtroom scene is not to be missed. I enjoyed watching this film and see Hitchcock's growing fascination into the macabre that he became best known for but lets not forget his sense of humor and wit. The film is much shorter than the previous mentioned film which helped me get through it. Still if you're a film buff, a Hitchcock fan or student, this film is a must see even with a strange title.
Mr. Christian -- take a hike.
rmax30482312 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Here, the director seems to be in search of a style. What we see of this love triangle on the Isle of Mann, involving an honest fisherman, his gorgeous wife, and his principled but weak friend, is all overacting. The conventions of silents like this must have been imported from the stage though, to be sure, Hitchcock's grounding was in film from the beginning.
Still it's distracting to see the characters over-do every expression and gesture, as if making sure that no one in the rear of the theater misses the reactions of the live people on stage.
Pete Quilliam (Carl Brisson) is the fisherman who loves the daughter (Anny Ondra) of the dour pub owner. Anny is flirtatious but uncertain. Pete wants to marry her but her father objects that Pete is too poor to be a husband. Off sails Pete to Africa to make his fortune, or his misfortune if it comes to that. He leaves Anny's welfare in the hands of his best friend, Phillip Christian (Malcolm Keen), which is always a mistake.
During honest Pete's absence, Anny and Phillip fall in love, and when they receive a telegram saying that Pete has met his demise, they are free to marry. But they've kept their love a secret, partly because Phillip is ashamed and partly because he is in line for a judgeship, and the outcome of that election might get a little problematic if he were mixed up with a mere barmaid. Meanwhile, nothing prevents Anny and Phillip from doing the horizontal mambo in out-of-the-way places.
But -- surprise! Pete isn't dead at all! He debarks from his ship, rich, ebullient, but dumb. Anny marries him out of a sense of obligation while Mr. Christian sulks in the background, carrying his burden of guilt. Anny gives birth to Phillip's child and Pete exults, "I'm a father!" (Still as dumb as ever.) Then things get twisted. Phillip becomes the judge his family wanted him to be, Anny tries to commit suicide, and Pete finally wises up. Phillip resigns. He, Anny, and their child, march off bravely into the sunset, scorned by the villagers but determined to start anew -- somehow.
As distracting as the overblown acting is, I forgive Anny Ondra because, let's face it, I'm a latent heterosexual. My God, she's cute. A tiny blue-eyed blond with winsome features, narrow shoulders, and gracile form. Any normal man would want to squeeze and bite her.
It's Malcolm Keen's duty, as Phillip Christian, to look glum and contrite. As Pete, Carl Brisson acts as if he needs a clinical dose of lithium. His eyes bulge with effervescence and his smile is like that of a chimpanzee with its lips pulled back in that sly way that chimps have.
And when you come right down to it, it's mostly Anny's fault. After all, as a flighty young girl, she flightily gave her word to Pete that she would remain faithful to him. And she was morally loose with Mr. Christian the moment Pete's ship was hull down on the horizon. Then she allowed good old Pete to think the baby was his. And instead of resigning herself to a career as a dutiful wife in marriage to a man she liked but didn't love, she has to leave the baby, take off, live in Phillip's closet for a week or so, and then jump in the harbor. She thinks of nobody but herself. Yet, again, I forgive her.
The two guys are no paragons either. Pete belongs in a home for the criminally naive, and Phillip should have sentenced himself to one week in the Hudson County Jail in Jersey City. That would have taken some of the starch out of him.
It's not a bad film, just rather ordinary. Hitchcock had yet to find his métier, and this isn't it.
Still it's distracting to see the characters over-do every expression and gesture, as if making sure that no one in the rear of the theater misses the reactions of the live people on stage.
Pete Quilliam (Carl Brisson) is the fisherman who loves the daughter (Anny Ondra) of the dour pub owner. Anny is flirtatious but uncertain. Pete wants to marry her but her father objects that Pete is too poor to be a husband. Off sails Pete to Africa to make his fortune, or his misfortune if it comes to that. He leaves Anny's welfare in the hands of his best friend, Phillip Christian (Malcolm Keen), which is always a mistake.
During honest Pete's absence, Anny and Phillip fall in love, and when they receive a telegram saying that Pete has met his demise, they are free to marry. But they've kept their love a secret, partly because Phillip is ashamed and partly because he is in line for a judgeship, and the outcome of that election might get a little problematic if he were mixed up with a mere barmaid. Meanwhile, nothing prevents Anny and Phillip from doing the horizontal mambo in out-of-the-way places.
But -- surprise! Pete isn't dead at all! He debarks from his ship, rich, ebullient, but dumb. Anny marries him out of a sense of obligation while Mr. Christian sulks in the background, carrying his burden of guilt. Anny gives birth to Phillip's child and Pete exults, "I'm a father!" (Still as dumb as ever.) Then things get twisted. Phillip becomes the judge his family wanted him to be, Anny tries to commit suicide, and Pete finally wises up. Phillip resigns. He, Anny, and their child, march off bravely into the sunset, scorned by the villagers but determined to start anew -- somehow.
As distracting as the overblown acting is, I forgive Anny Ondra because, let's face it, I'm a latent heterosexual. My God, she's cute. A tiny blue-eyed blond with winsome features, narrow shoulders, and gracile form. Any normal man would want to squeeze and bite her.
It's Malcolm Keen's duty, as Phillip Christian, to look glum and contrite. As Pete, Carl Brisson acts as if he needs a clinical dose of lithium. His eyes bulge with effervescence and his smile is like that of a chimpanzee with its lips pulled back in that sly way that chimps have.
And when you come right down to it, it's mostly Anny's fault. After all, as a flighty young girl, she flightily gave her word to Pete that she would remain faithful to him. And she was morally loose with Mr. Christian the moment Pete's ship was hull down on the horizon. Then she allowed good old Pete to think the baby was his. And instead of resigning herself to a career as a dutiful wife in marriage to a man she liked but didn't love, she has to leave the baby, take off, live in Phillip's closet for a week or so, and then jump in the harbor. She thinks of nobody but herself. Yet, again, I forgive her.
The two guys are no paragons either. Pete belongs in a home for the criminally naive, and Phillip should have sentenced himself to one week in the Hudson County Jail in Jersey City. That would have taken some of the starch out of him.
It's not a bad film, just rather ordinary. Hitchcock had yet to find his métier, and this isn't it.
A Lesser Hitchcock That Still Has Some Real Strengths
Snow Leopard4 September 2001
Though it is a lesser Hitchcock, "The Manxman" has several strengths, and indeed it could have been a fine film if not for some major flaws in the story. The settings and photography are excellent, the acting is generally good, and the story's setup is believable and had possibilities.
The best part of the movie is the setting on the Isle of Man, which is done very nicely, with well-chosen settings and terrific photography. The setting is woven into the story very well, and many of the scenes are given backgrounds and props which re-emphasize the distinctive setting and/or give useful symbolism to the events in the plot. Fishing boats, an old water mill, and the island's rocky beauty are all used effectively.
The characters are presented well, and you quickly get to know them and sympathize with them. The first part of the story moves quickly, and efficiently establishes the love-triangle theme. The three leads (Carl Brisson, Anny Ondra, and Malcolm Keen) are all quite good in this part.
Unfortunately, the rest of the story is rather a disappointment, moving very slowly at times, and often painful to watch because of some notable flaws in the ways the characters act. All this really detracts from the continuing good direction and camera work. There is a very nicely conceived jump cut at one point that could have been very powerful if the story were better, and the climactic sequence does hold some real irony and suspense, but it just doesn't have the impact that it could have had. Hitchcock does his best with things, but it's too bad that he did not have a freer hand with the material, which was apparently based on a novel that for whatever reason had acquired a certain popularity at the time.
Ultimately, this movie is just average. But there are still some strengths here, and it is probably worth a look for silent film fans who especially appreciate good black-and-white photography, or for devoted Hitchcock fans who will appreciate the touches he added to an otherwise unsatisfying story.
The best part of the movie is the setting on the Isle of Man, which is done very nicely, with well-chosen settings and terrific photography. The setting is woven into the story very well, and many of the scenes are given backgrounds and props which re-emphasize the distinctive setting and/or give useful symbolism to the events in the plot. Fishing boats, an old water mill, and the island's rocky beauty are all used effectively.
The characters are presented well, and you quickly get to know them and sympathize with them. The first part of the story moves quickly, and efficiently establishes the love-triangle theme. The three leads (Carl Brisson, Anny Ondra, and Malcolm Keen) are all quite good in this part.
Unfortunately, the rest of the story is rather a disappointment, moving very slowly at times, and often painful to watch because of some notable flaws in the ways the characters act. All this really detracts from the continuing good direction and camera work. There is a very nicely conceived jump cut at one point that could have been very powerful if the story were better, and the climactic sequence does hold some real irony and suspense, but it just doesn't have the impact that it could have had. Hitchcock does his best with things, but it's too bad that he did not have a freer hand with the material, which was apparently based on a novel that for whatever reason had acquired a certain popularity at the time.
Ultimately, this movie is just average. But there are still some strengths here, and it is probably worth a look for silent film fans who especially appreciate good black-and-white photography, or for devoted Hitchcock fans who will appreciate the touches he added to an otherwise unsatisfying story.
Interesting early Hitchcock film and quite good overall
TheLittleSongbird16 September 2013
Not one of the finest hours of the Master of Suspense Alfred Hitchcock, but not one of his weakest either. The Manxman is rather lengthy and does feel too long, the second half does drag with the storytelling getting increasingly old-fashioned and melodramatic and the music did come across as forgettable and somewhat recycled-sounding. The Manxman is great to look at though, with the lovely scenery and very professional photography it is one of Hitchcock's better-looking early films and maybe even one of his better looking films full-stop. The first half is well-paced and compelling where you could relate to the characters and their situations and Hitchcock directs splendidly with a great atmospheric touch. The acting is very good, particularly from Carl Brisson while Anny Ondra is not just beautiful but brings a lot of heart to her character and Malcolm Keen completes the love triangle with an equally likable performance. All in all, interesting and quite good but Hitchcock has done better. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Love triangle, Hitchcock style
grantss11 February 2024
Pete, a fisherman, and Philip, a lawyer, grew up together and are as close as brothers. Pete is in love with Kate, the publican's daughter, and wants to marry her but her father believes that Pete is not good enough for her. To prove himself worthy of Kate Pete sets off overseas to seek his fortune and Kate promises to wait for him. This promise is tested when Kate and Philip start to keep each other company and slowly begin to fall in love. They both are aware of the promise Kate made so are wary of progressing the relationship. Then a telegram arrives that both simplifies and complicates things.
A silent era romantic drama, directed by the great Alfred Hitchcock. He had not yet found his niche in thrillers - his silent era films cover a broad variety of genres, even comedies - so not too surprising to see him directing a romantic drama.
The film is quite interesting with an intriguing love triangle as the main plot line. Quite original and unpredictable as you don't know where the relationships and story will go. The ending is maybe a smidge unsatisfactory but it doesn't stop this from being solid effort from Hitchcock.
A silent era romantic drama, directed by the great Alfred Hitchcock. He had not yet found his niche in thrillers - his silent era films cover a broad variety of genres, even comedies - so not too surprising to see him directing a romantic drama.
The film is quite interesting with an intriguing love triangle as the main plot line. Quite original and unpredictable as you don't know where the relationships and story will go. The ending is maybe a smidge unsatisfactory but it doesn't stop this from being solid effort from Hitchcock.
When The Boat Comes In...
morrison-dylan-fan13 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Since hearing about the legendary comedies of Charlie Chaplin,and the 1927 Fritz Lang film Metropolis,I have always been meaning to (at least) have a bit of a look at the "silent" era of film making,sadly it has always ended up being something that I have kept pushing back,mostly due to always ending up having far too many "sound" films to watch.With being a long time fan of Have I Got News For You,I was very intrigued to find out that Paul Merton had made a three part documentary about the Silent film making era in Hollywood called Birth of Hollywood.During my viewing of this tremendous series,I became very keen on at last watching a silent film.Looking round to see what silent films were in my collection,I was thrilled to find that a Hitchcock boxset called The Early Hitchcock Collection. (that also contains the fun,haunted-house style sound film Number Seventeen )Checking the collection ,I was very happy to discover a selection of Hitchcocks silent films in the set,looking at the films,I decided that I would pick this film as the first silent film that I would ever watch.
The plot:
On a small island called the Isle of Man,an unlikely friendship is struck between a poor fisherman named Pete,and a budding lawyer called Philip.The friendship is built on trust and loyalty,with Pete being impressed that Philip is the only lawyer on the island who defends the rights and working conditions of the fishermen,and Philip having a deep respect for the intense amount of hours that Pete spends doing a very tough job.On a night night out,Pete falls in love,at the very first sight of a girl called Kate.Pushing Philip to ask Kate's father if Pete can take his daughters hand in marriage,Pete is left with a huge amount of disappointment and anger,when the Kate's father tells Philip that he will never let his best friend marry his daughter,due to him being "not worthy" and too low down on the food chain.Infuriated by her dad's response,Pete announces that he is going to go on a trip to Africia right away,so that he can come back wealthy,and at last get Kate's hand in marriage.Just before he leaves,Pete makes sure to tell Philip to look after Kate,whilst he is away.Agreeing to this,Philip and Kate start to become great friends,with Kate's sense of anticipation for Pete's return,increasing day by day.Suddenly,Philip and Kate's lives start to spiral out of control when news reaches them that Philip has died.Attempting to comfort her,Philp's and Kate's friendship gradually begins to develop in to a much more romantic one,to the point where they have both settled down together,and have had a baby.Early one morning,whilst Kate is on her own feeding the baby,the front door to the house suddenly opens,and Pete suddenly appears!.Whilst She tries to make sense of what is happening,Pete tells Kate that he has spoken to her father,and he has at last agreed to the marriage.Looking around the room,Pete is filled with joy to see that she has had a baby,due to him thinking that he must have gotten Kate pregnant just before he left..
View on the film:
The first people that I feel deserve a huge amount of praise for the film,is the DVD company Canal+,who have taken this great film out of it's worn out Public Domain past,and have now given it a new coat of paint,with the image being surprisingly very clean,and the new piano music score being able to brilliantly give more depth to the dramatic moments,as well as making the early,light-hearted moments much more playful.Looking at the cast,Malcolm Keen gives a brilliant performance as Philip Christan,who although oddly giving a strong vibe that he might be about to star in Unerversal Studio's next monster horror movie,Keen is still able to cleverly show Christan's change,from someone who is willing to do as much as possible for everyone,to a person who tries to keep to himself as much as possible to himself,whilst always making sure that he never let's the character completely fall into the shadows of darkness For what would turn out to be his last ever silent film,Hitchcock show's a huge bundle of creative idea's that he would continue to use and expand upon,for the rest of his legendary career.One of the main things,that makes this a key piece of his film career,is Hitchcock making Anny Ondra (Kate Cregeen) his first Blonde leading lady,although here,he interestingly gives the character a very noticeable wide-eyed innocent side,whilst letting the icy side of Kate ,only be shown as the film reaches its ending.Along with the creation of the Hitchcock Blonde,Hitchcock shows strong hints in his great directing for this film, of some moments that would be reused and expanded upon in the future,with a sequence which involves a character attempting to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff,being something that he would return to for his classic film Vertigo,although in this case,he chooses to end the scene with a startling fade-out,which helps to give the scene a very haunting feel,as well as showing that the film is now going into a much more bleak direction.
Final view on the film:
For his last ever silent film,Hitchcock leaves the era with style,by making a very entertaining drama,that also has him showing some of his main idea's and themes that he would expand and build upon for the rest of his astonishing career.
The plot:
On a small island called the Isle of Man,an unlikely friendship is struck between a poor fisherman named Pete,and a budding lawyer called Philip.The friendship is built on trust and loyalty,with Pete being impressed that Philip is the only lawyer on the island who defends the rights and working conditions of the fishermen,and Philip having a deep respect for the intense amount of hours that Pete spends doing a very tough job.On a night night out,Pete falls in love,at the very first sight of a girl called Kate.Pushing Philip to ask Kate's father if Pete can take his daughters hand in marriage,Pete is left with a huge amount of disappointment and anger,when the Kate's father tells Philip that he will never let his best friend marry his daughter,due to him being "not worthy" and too low down on the food chain.Infuriated by her dad's response,Pete announces that he is going to go on a trip to Africia right away,so that he can come back wealthy,and at last get Kate's hand in marriage.Just before he leaves,Pete makes sure to tell Philip to look after Kate,whilst he is away.Agreeing to this,Philip and Kate start to become great friends,with Kate's sense of anticipation for Pete's return,increasing day by day.Suddenly,Philip and Kate's lives start to spiral out of control when news reaches them that Philip has died.Attempting to comfort her,Philp's and Kate's friendship gradually begins to develop in to a much more romantic one,to the point where they have both settled down together,and have had a baby.Early one morning,whilst Kate is on her own feeding the baby,the front door to the house suddenly opens,and Pete suddenly appears!.Whilst She tries to make sense of what is happening,Pete tells Kate that he has spoken to her father,and he has at last agreed to the marriage.Looking around the room,Pete is filled with joy to see that she has had a baby,due to him thinking that he must have gotten Kate pregnant just before he left..
View on the film:
The first people that I feel deserve a huge amount of praise for the film,is the DVD company Canal+,who have taken this great film out of it's worn out Public Domain past,and have now given it a new coat of paint,with the image being surprisingly very clean,and the new piano music score being able to brilliantly give more depth to the dramatic moments,as well as making the early,light-hearted moments much more playful.Looking at the cast,Malcolm Keen gives a brilliant performance as Philip Christan,who although oddly giving a strong vibe that he might be about to star in Unerversal Studio's next monster horror movie,Keen is still able to cleverly show Christan's change,from someone who is willing to do as much as possible for everyone,to a person who tries to keep to himself as much as possible to himself,whilst always making sure that he never let's the character completely fall into the shadows of darkness For what would turn out to be his last ever silent film,Hitchcock show's a huge bundle of creative idea's that he would continue to use and expand upon,for the rest of his legendary career.One of the main things,that makes this a key piece of his film career,is Hitchcock making Anny Ondra (Kate Cregeen) his first Blonde leading lady,although here,he interestingly gives the character a very noticeable wide-eyed innocent side,whilst letting the icy side of Kate ,only be shown as the film reaches its ending.Along with the creation of the Hitchcock Blonde,Hitchcock shows strong hints in his great directing for this film, of some moments that would be reused and expanded upon in the future,with a sequence which involves a character attempting to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff,being something that he would return to for his classic film Vertigo,although in this case,he chooses to end the scene with a startling fade-out,which helps to give the scene a very haunting feel,as well as showing that the film is now going into a much more bleak direction.
Final view on the film:
For his last ever silent film,Hitchcock leaves the era with style,by making a very entertaining drama,that also has him showing some of his main idea's and themes that he would expand and build upon for the rest of his astonishing career.
Pretty good, for an old Hitchcock film
Jeremy_Urquhart23 April 2020
Two men, one a fisherman and the other a lawyer, who have been friends since they were children, both fall in love with the same woman. Another love triangle film, but this one is a little different to The Ring because one of the men is not aware for most of the film that his friend is in love with the same girl he is. It's also less predictable than The Ring, but maybe not quite as entertaining. The characters are fairly compelling, and the performances quite good also. Unfortunately, Hitchcock doesn't have a lot of opportunities to inject the film with his traditional style, but the film's fairly good despite this. 6.5/10
Alfred Hitchcock Ends His Silents
wes-connors19 August 2009
It's an old story. Poor fisherman Carl Brisson (as Pete Quilliam) goes off to sea, to make his fortune, and is presumed dead. Well-heeled boyhood chum Malcolm Keen (as Phil Christian), whom he's asked to look after fickle sweetheart Anny Ondra (as Kate Cregeen), accomplishes what you'd expect. Then, Mr. Brisson returns
This variation on an often-told tale was director Alfred Hitchcock's last silent film. And, not a moment too soon. The old-fashioned picture's main strength is Mr. Hitchcock and photographer Jack Cox' beautiful use of the "Isle of Man" locations; if only D.W. Griffith could have filmed his "Enoch Arden" there...
***** The Manxman (1/21/29) Alfred Hitchcock ~ Carl Brisson, Malcolm Keen, Anny Ondra, Randle Ayrton
***** The Manxman (1/21/29) Alfred Hitchcock ~ Carl Brisson, Malcolm Keen, Anny Ondra, Randle Ayrton
A mixed blessing!
JohnHowardReid30 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This Alfred Hitchcock outing is no longer covered by copyright and is thus available on at least 5 DVD labels.
I recommend the St Clair Vision DVD, which has a reasonable music score and at least 9/10 image quality (probably 10/10 considering the movie was photographed by Jack Cox. Jack absolutely doted on grays, but hated pure blacks and pure whites).
Mind you, "The Manxman" has little to recommend it, other than its novelty value. All told, it is a dreary movie with very few Hitchcock touches. What is worse, it's way over-acted by the main players, particularly smiling, over-hearty Carl Brisson and determined-to-be-dull Malcolm Keen.
On the other hand, I enjoyed Anny Ondra;s performance, despite the fact that she was tied up, pouting and glum, in a web that took forever for the various characters to pace through.
All told, "The Manxman" relied on a familiar (but fatally flawed in this account as the hero is believed dead), melodramatic plot, set against a realistic background on the Isle of Man.
I recommend the St Clair Vision DVD, which has a reasonable music score and at least 9/10 image quality (probably 10/10 considering the movie was photographed by Jack Cox. Jack absolutely doted on grays, but hated pure blacks and pure whites).
Mind you, "The Manxman" has little to recommend it, other than its novelty value. All told, it is a dreary movie with very few Hitchcock touches. What is worse, it's way over-acted by the main players, particularly smiling, over-hearty Carl Brisson and determined-to-be-dull Malcolm Keen.
On the other hand, I enjoyed Anny Ondra;s performance, despite the fact that she was tied up, pouting and glum, in a web that took forever for the various characters to pace through.
All told, "The Manxman" relied on a familiar (but fatally flawed in this account as the hero is believed dead), melodramatic plot, set against a realistic background on the Isle of Man.
The Manxman (1929) **1/2
Bunuel19764 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I hadn't watched that many Silent Hitchcock films prior to this one - THE LODGER (1926), THE RING (1927) and the rarely-screened "original" version of BLACKMAIL (1929) - but they were good ones; I knew going in this wouldn't be a thriller but it was still a disappointment, coming from one of my favorite film-makers! Melodrama was never Hitchcock's forte and the pseudo-realistic background of a fishing community only accentuates further the director's incompatibility with the material at hand. That said, the film is nicely photographed and the resolution of the main plot is unconventional, to say the least - as the girl (played by the lovely Anny Ondra, who also starred in BLACKMAIL) chooses the company of the scholarly, upper-class lover over her rugged, more handsome husband!
The Last of an Era
blatherskitenoir24 March 2007
This beautiful film is Alfred Hitchcock's last silent creation. Truly wonderful, this is a bit of a thought piece as the characters struggle with the moral dilemmas inherent in the plot. Should one stay loyal to a friend's trust or choose personal happiness at the expense of another's? Is status and appearance worth the sacrifice? Can love be forced or forgotten? This is a film that leaves you twisted and thoughtful. The actors, particularly Carl Brisson and Anny Ondra, are all wonderfully expressive. Words aren't needed to know what they are saying and what they are feeling. Miss Ondra was ethereally beautiful and heartbreakingly convincing as Kate. Very highly recommend for all true Hitchcock fans and a must for the connoisseur of the silent genre.
Hitchcock's Last Silent Film
springfieldrental18 June 2022
In Hitchcock's final silent film, Anna Ondra didn't have to worry about her speaking accent in January 1929's "The Manxman." Adapted from the 1894 romantic novel of the same name by author Hall Caine, Hitch's film unveils the story of a fisherman, Pete (Carl Brisson), who's in love with a tavern-owner's daughter (Ondra). The fisherman is rejected by her father. He's determined to make his fortune in Africa to boast his chances with Ondra's dad, and asks his best friend, lawyer Philip (Malcolm Keen) to look after her. The homebodies fall in love, complicating a situation when Pete returns with money oozing out of his pockets. The now millionaire discovers the love-of-his life is pregnant shortly after his return.
Hitchcock in retrospect called "The Manxman" trite. But critics say his location work on the Isle of Man was stunning. In actuality, the director couldn't wait to finish his filming there since the novel's author, Caine, a resident in the Isle, was constantly in Hitch's ear offering him advice. In addition, Hitch was anxious to return to London to be with his newborn daughter, Patricia, who was delivered by his wife Alma just two weeks before he left to film in the Isle. Pat was to be the couple's only child.
The casting of actor Carl Brisson, who played the fisherman-turned-millionaire, is ironic. Brisson was a professional boxer in the mid-1910s before turning to acting. Ondra later married a professional boxer, heavyweight champion Max Schmeling.
Hitchcock in retrospect called "The Manxman" trite. But critics say his location work on the Isle of Man was stunning. In actuality, the director couldn't wait to finish his filming there since the novel's author, Caine, a resident in the Isle, was constantly in Hitch's ear offering him advice. In addition, Hitch was anxious to return to London to be with his newborn daughter, Patricia, who was delivered by his wife Alma just two weeks before he left to film in the Isle. Pat was to be the couple's only child.
The casting of actor Carl Brisson, who played the fisherman-turned-millionaire, is ironic. Brisson was a professional boxer in the mid-1910s before turning to acting. Ondra later married a professional boxer, heavyweight champion Max Schmeling.
Not one of my favorite Hitchcock silent films
utgard1412 July 2017
Alfred Hitchcock's final silent film is an adaptation of a then-popular novel about a love triangle. This is the second film adaptation of that novel. Basically it's a soaper that begins with a tired premise. Two boys from opposite sides of the tracks are friends and both fall in love with the same girl. That's routine enough but the plot takes some twists and turns to keep things from being too predictable. The trade-off for those twists, however, is the characters become less likable as the movie goes on. By the end I was not invested in who wound up with who. I was kind of hoping for a triple suicide.
It's not a bad film by any stretch. Hitch certainly gives it a professional polish. It's a very nice-looking picture. The performances are all good, as well. It's just pure melodrama with characters I didn't really like that much. Add to that the feeling it goes on too long and it becomes a chore to sit through. Still, it's Hitchcock so you should probably watch it at least once just for that.
It's not a bad film by any stretch. Hitch certainly gives it a professional polish. It's a very nice-looking picture. The performances are all good, as well. It's just pure melodrama with characters I didn't really like that much. Add to that the feeling it goes on too long and it becomes a chore to sit through. Still, it's Hitchcock so you should probably watch it at least once just for that.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
