ScreenplayMichael Robson, based on the novel by John Buchan Producer Greg Smith Cinematography John Coquillon Production designer Harry Pottle Editor Eric Boyd-Perkins Music Ed Welch Special effects supervisorRon Ballanger Stunt co-ordinatorColin Skeaping The Thirty-Nine Steps is a 1978 thriller film directed by Don Sharp and starring Robert Powell. It is adapted from the novel The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan. The film was directed by Don Sharp, an Australian who had worked in British films since the 1950s, mostly on thrillers, adventure films and the occasional horror movie. These included some Hammer horrors and a 1978 version of The Four Feathers, co-starring Robert Powell.

The flat of Richard Hannay ( Robert Powell) is now Albert Court, alongside the Albert Hall, Kensington, SW7. Stars filmed at Loch Katrine for BBC Drama, The 39 Steps". Scottish Water. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011 . Retrieved 31 December 2008. Hannay attempts to solve the mystery whilst on the run from the police, led by Chief Supt Lomas ( Eric Porter), and the Prussian agents, led by Sir Edmund Appleton, a Prussian sympathiser highly placed in the British government.There are also some major new elements, not featured in either of the two previous films or in the book. David Warner's character disguises himself as establishment worthy Sir Walter Bullivant (George Baker) in two high level meetings and no one notices - thanks to the simple use of a false beard and glasses. This is a particularly improbable idea that should have been dropped. Hannay continued his adventures in four subsequent books. Two were set during the war, when he continued his undercover work against the Germans and their allies the Turks in Greenmantle (1916) and Mr Standfast (1919). The other two stories, The Three Hostages (1924) and The Island of Sheep (1936) were set in the postwar period, when Hannay's opponents were criminal gangs. Kate Bassett (3 July 2005). " The 39 Steps, West Yorkshire, Playhouse, Leeds". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2009 . Retrieved 4 April 2008.

During the journey, he has a chance encounter with Miss Fisher ( Taina Elg), a netball coach at a boarding school for girls. He is forced to pretend they are lovers to avoid the police detectives who boarded at Edinburgh. However, Miss Fisher gives him away and Hannay jumps from the stationary train on the Forth Bridge. The killing of Scudder ( John Mills) takes place at Marylebone Station. Marylebone is not only picturesque, but generally a quiet station, and so quite popular for filming. The Beatles departed from – and then arrived at – Marylebone Station under the opening credits of their first feature film A Hard Day’s Night. And when Julie Christie left ‘Bradford’ for London at the end of Billy Liar, she left from –erm – London’s Marylebone. Love, Damien (28 December 2008). "TV preview: When the only intrigue is why it exists, you know this is a 39 Steps too far". Sunday Herald. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009 . Retrieved 1 January 2009. Together by the loch, Hannay and Victoria kiss before she is hit by a bullet fired by a surviving gunman, falls into the loch and disappears. The story concludes four months later, after the start of World War I, when Hannay, in an army officer's uniform, is waiting to meet someone at St Pancras railway station. Harry appears, saying that Victoria wanted to say goodbye, and Hannay sees her in the distance. Harry tells him, "top secret, old man." Victoria disappears behind a luggage trolley and Harry tells Hannay that she will see him after the war.The novel has been adapted many times, including several films and a long-running stage play. [2] In 2003, the book was listed on the BBC's Big Read poll of Britain's "best-loved novels." [4] Plot [ edit ] Rimington, Stella (11 January 2011). "John Buchan and The Thirty-Nine Steps". The Telegraph . Retrieved 12 August 2023.

The adaptation was originally planned to be broadcast on BBC One on Boxing Day, [4] but was later moved to a Sunday night slot on 28 December. It was simulcast in high-definition on BBC HD.

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Production [ edit ] Hannay (Powell) hanging from Big Ben during the film's denouement. The scene was a departure from Buchan's novel, but was added because the Houses of Parliament represented the centre of British power in 1914. Caven, Bill (26 December 2008). "Scots Enthusiasts Called in to Provide Old Motors For New TV Adaptation of Spy Novel The 39 Steps". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 29 December 2008 . Retrieved 31 December 2008. Alt URL The writer and actress reassures viewers that many of the key elements that have made this tale popular for more than 90 years will be there in her adaptation, to be broadcast on BBC1 on Boxing Day with Rupert Penry-Jones, the former star of Spooks, in the lead role of Richard Hannay. 'There is still a steam train chase,' she said. 'And a political hustings, and a scene with a biplane.' The puzzle of the meaning of the '39 steps' is one of the best-known riddles in English fiction, but the actual significance of the title has been lost in a succession of rival screenplays. Each film has put forward a new solution to the mystery. Overnight viewing figures estimated that the programme was seen by 7.3million viewers (28% audience share) on 28 December 2008, against a Top Gear: Vietnam Special on BBC Two. It was the most watched programme of the day. [17]