Dir: Albert Hitchcock | Cast: Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll | UK Thriller
Technically John Buchan’s novel has been filmed several times, but the various versions that followed the definitive Hitchcock version have in reality been remakes of the film rather than adaptations of the original book. The pursuit of Hannay across the moors by an aircraft was in the novel although updated by substituting an autogiro; but neither were Mr Memory or the man with the tip missing from his little finger. (While the Robert Powell version claimed to have returned to the original but then had the temerity to take the ending from an old Will Hay film.) The title likewise had a completely different meaning in the film from the book; while the actual conclusion has never been in any the films that in novel being far too uncinematic.
Hitchcock meanwhile shows early evidence of his fear of arrest and his mischievous sense of humour by handcuffing the two leads together; even if Robert Donat naturally remains a perfect gentleman at all times. @RichardChatten
NOW ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS