The Thirty-Nine Steps Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

The Thirty-Nine Steps Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 25, 2025

Don Sharp's "The Thirty-Nine Steps" (1978) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new program with executive producer James Kenelm Clarke; exclusive new program with stunt coordinator Colin Skeaping; archival program with star Robert Powell; vintage trailer; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The third cinematic adaptation of John Buchan’s famous novel is the most difficult to critique because it expands the original material in a way that instantly discredits it. However, the expansion is so well done that it becomes very easy to argue that it dramatically improves it.

London, 1914. Richard Hannay (Robert Powell), a mining engineer who has spent years working in South Africa, has his life turned upside down when his neighbor, Colonel Franklin Scudder (John Mills), rings his doorbell and asks for help. Hannay reluctantly welcomes Scudder into his apartment and, soon after, learns from him that WWI is about to break out. Scudder has the proof, which is why two Prussian agents, both superefficient killers, are monitoring his apartment, determined to take him out and acquire a tiny black book where he has documented his discovery. A day later, while attempting to mail a package, Scudder is murdered, and Hannay is framed as the killer by Sir Edmund Appleton (David Warner), a high-ranking government member who has collaborated with the Prussians.

However, Lady Luck helps Hannay escape his captors, and he immediately flees to Scotland, where it appears Scudder’s precious black book is. In the Scottish moors, hunted by the two Prussian killers and Chief Superintendent Lomas (Eric Porter) and his men, Hannay seeks help from Alex Mackenzie (Karen Dotrice) and her fiancé David Hamilton (Miles Anderson), who choose to believe his story about Scudder and soon after help him recover the black book. However, the three also realize that they are running out of time to prevent the carefully planned murder of Greek Prime Minister Constantine Karolides, which is supposed to trigger WWI.

Don Sharp’s reimagination of the original material from Buchan’s novel is a fascinating project. It should not be as effective as it is. For example, it is not an unusually big project that unites a large cast of stars who are at the top of their game. Also, it is not a visual stunner of the kind that the mind instantly stores in a place where only the all-time greatest such films are allowed to enter. The freedom with which it embellishes the original material instantly makes it a huge target for fans of its famous predecessors as well. (Big fans of Alfred Hitchcock’s film, in particular, could easily have a field day with it).

And yet, virtually everything that Sharp and the cast do works great and is enormously entertaining. Powell, for instance, may very well be the most convincing fugitive-soon-to-be-hero, giving a memorable personality to this famous character that is ideal for the period environment in which he is placed. The supporting actors are allowed to establish strong personalities as well, but do not compete for the camera’s attention. Instead, they are all contributing with the clear understanding that the drama can be effective only if there is a very particular balance, controlled by Powell, which, surprisingly, becomes the foundation of the entire project. This is not a common development in cinematic adaptations where something or plenty is altered for different reasons.

The finale, which is supposed to be the most controversial part, is where the strength and brilliance of the entire project become undeniable. It is visually impressive, but it does not become a show-off piece. It elevates the drama to a place where it feels like Buchan’s writings should have taken it.

The only notable weakness is in the music support. Ed Welch’s soundtrack mixes orchestral music of the kind that a contemporary urban romantic melodrama would have enthusiastically utilized with more traditional classical music. Some of the contrasts that emerge between the two are quite awkward.

Sharp’s director of photography was John Coquillon, who lense several of Sam Peckinpah’s biggest films, including Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid and Cross of Iron.

The Thirty-Nine Steps Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Thirty-Nine Steps arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Imprint Films.

The release is sourced from an exclusive new 2K master. I would describe the overall quality of the visuals as very good. They are healthy and stable, making it easy to enjoy the film. However, I must mention a few aspects of the presentation that could have been managed a little bit better. Some visuals exhibit a bit of softness that typically emerges when a 2K master is struck from an interpositive. So, grain exposure could be a little bit better. While delineation and depth are very nice, some darker nuances can be more convincing. Finally, in a few places, flesh tones exhibit pink/red hues that are a bit too prominent. The overall color balance is still very pleasing, and the entire film maintains a convincing period appearance. Image stability is very good. Finally, I did not see any distracting surface imperfections. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

The Thirty-Nine Steps Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

All exchanges are very clear and stable. The music has a healthy presence throughout the entire film as well. Dynamic contrasts are modest, but this is to be expected from a period production completed during the 1970s. The upper register, where older films reveal weaknesses, is fine. I think that some small rebalancing adjustments are possible, but they would be cosmetic.

The Thirty-Nine Steps Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Remaking a Classic - in this exclusive new program, executive producer James Kenelm Clarke reveals what inspired him to work with Don Sharp on The Thirty-Nine Steps and discusses its conception and production. Clarke also has some very interesting comments about Robert Powell's performance and the period environment his character is placed. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• Hannay Hanging On - in this exclusive new program, stunt coordinator Colin Skeaping reveals that he was a double for Robert Powell and recalls what it was like to shoot some of the more dangerous sequences in The Thirty-Nine Steps. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Every Second Counts - in this exclusive new program, critic Sergio Angelini discusses The Thirty-Nine Steps and its treatment of the original material from John Buchan's famous novel, as well as its placement next to the other two films that the novel inspired. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).

• On Location with Robert Powell - in this excellent archival program, Robert Powell revisits some of the locations that are seen in the three different films inspired by John Buchan's famous novel. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

• Trailer - presented here is a vintage trailer for The Thirty-Nine Steps. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

The Thirty-Nine Steps Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

An honest critic should acknowledge that Alfred Hitchcock's film is not an accurate cinematic adaptation of John Buchan's famous novel, either. However, what it changes and omits does not dramatically expand Richard Hannay's adventure, which is essentially what Don Sharp's film does, but while placing him in a much more authentic period environment. While it may be tempting, debating which of the two films might be better is pointless, but for my money, Sharp's film is a lot more entertaining. This release of it is sourced from a good exclusive new 2K master and is included in this two-disc box set from Australian label Imprint Films. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.