The first classic Hitchcock film, in terms of its quality, influence and representation of his work.  Nearly all the great director’s tricks of technique, narrative and plot devices, which proliferated in his later career, are to be found here. 

Apart from its two direct remakes, the story of the wrongly-accused man on the run, thrown together with a female and pursued across the landscape – with a dose of political intrigue thrown in for good measure – would turn up in the director’s own Foreign Correspondent and North by Northwest, as well as countless other imitations and parodies, in both cinema and television.

From this moment, Hitchcock was firmly established in the British cinema and would consolidate his skills over the next few years, before Hollywood beckoned – in the form of a large cheque from David O. Selznick…

Year: 1935