Blackmail (1929)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Chris W

  
  Interesting film. Often considered to be the first British "talkie", even though it was originally shot as a silent film then re-shot with sound, with the exception of one of the highlights of the film: the first 8 minutes. It's a nice police procedural, and the… More
  Interesting film. Often considered to be the first British "talkie", even though it was originally shot as a silent film then re-shot with sound, with the exception of one of the highlights of the film: the first 8 minutes. It's a nice police procedural, and the transition to sound is cool too. Other highlights include the chase scene at the museum and the "knife" repetition scene. The film is extremely British with the way it feels, too. That's just an observation though, and not necessarily a good or bad thing either way. This film is really good, but not without it's problems. It hasn't aged well, and the A/V quality isn't the best, and from time to time the film drags, but the positives (the aforementioned highlights) plus the cinematography, music, and Anny Ondra's performance more than make up for them.

• Reid V

  
  The master in his early days. Even for his first talkie, his visual style is just as brilliant in 1929 as it would be in later years. Whether it be the use of a curtain to disguise some foul play, his immaculate use of shadows, of the way his uses the lights to illuminate a characters… More
  The master in his early days. Even for his first talkie, his visual style is just as brilliant in 1929 as it would be in later years. Whether it be the use of a curtain to disguise some foul play, his immaculate use of shadows, of the way his uses the lights to illuminate a characters overwhelming guilt, Hitch suggests more with a few frames than most directors do in an entire film. While the pacing isn't as streamlined as it would be in later films such as the 39 Steps, it is still fascinating to see just how ahead of his time he was even in the dawn of his career.

• Drew S

  
  Not Hitchcock's best by any means, but pretty clever for its time, and definitely a portent for the incredible work he was to produce. Alice was an idiot.

• AJ V

  
  On the one hand, the story is very simple, but slow and dragged out, which is kind of annoying, and the nothing is really resolved the way it should. On the other hand this movie is visually interesting, much like later Hitchcock films, and it's one of the first sound films too.… More
  On the one hand, the story is very simple, but slow and dragged out, which is kind of annoying, and the nothing is really resolved the way it should. On the other hand this movie is visually interesting, much like later Hitchcock films, and it's one of the first sound films too. Overall, it's interesting to see, but the story could be a lot better.

• Lady D

  
  One of Hitchock?s first films. This was going to be a silent film, which is apparent by it's beginning, with the camera shots and the over emphasis on the door signs etc, but of course was over-dubbed to become a talkie. Even in the early films of Hitchcock, it?s clear to… More
  One of Hitchock?s first films. This was going to be a silent film, which is apparent by it's beginning, with the camera shots and the over emphasis on the door signs etc, but of course was over-dubbed to become a talkie. Even in the early films of Hitchcock, it?s clear to see his sinister mind at work. This was an ok storyline, not one of his best, but enjoyable anyhow.

• Cassandra M

  
  If a modern audience sat down to see this film, Alfred Hitchcock's first talkie, they'd squirm in their seats - at first. Unconvincing sound effects and an unmoving camera seemingly bolted to the floor don't help as we watch a prim Scotland Yard detective (John Longden)… More
  If a modern audience sat down to see this film, Alfred Hitchcock's first talkie, they'd squirm in their seats - at first. Unconvincing sound effects and an unmoving camera seemingly bolted to the floor don't help as we watch a prim Scotland Yard detective (John Longden) on a date with his hard to please girlfriend, Alice (Anna Ondra) But, when Alice has to defend herself against a letch who picks her up, the film becomes classic Hitchcock. Rather than use the newfound medium of sound solely to record the audio, Hitchcock uses sound in an expressionistic, experimental manner. After Alice kills the artist, common sounds becoming annoying blasts to the skull! Hitchcock ends the film with a silent (except for music) chase through the British Museum. Not only does this scene anticipate key moments in THE 39 STEPS, SABOTEUR, VERTIGO, and NORTH BY NORTHWEST, it's a companion piece. Fun Beijing

• Burger S

  
  Nothing like a good Date-Rape movie. (Just Kidding). PS -Watch it for free on online ;)

• Daniel D

  
  This film being from 1929 is the oldest movie I've seen in my life. It was one of Hitches early works and it was pretty good. Yes it was hard not to be bored at times but with an old movie like this you have to accept that if it happens. The story was mediocre but it was still so… More
  This film being from 1929 is the oldest movie I've seen in my life. It was one of Hitches early works and it was pretty good. Yes it was hard not to be bored at times but with an old movie like this you have to accept that if it happens. The story was mediocre but it was still so well paced it could give you the chill, especially that final scene.

• Andrew F

  
  Actually really fascinating and entertaining.

• Mike T

  
  Hitchcock's first sound film is a great one. As stylish as it is gripping, and delightfully crammed with his directorial trademarks.

• MJS M

  
  A very early Alfred Hitchcock film, the first movie from the U.K. to fully use sound. Unfortunately, the sound used here is really primitive, it?s rather hard to hear a lot of the dialogue. Part of the problem is that the lead actress had a heavy accent and they had another actress… More
  A very early Alfred Hitchcock film, the first movie from the U.K. to fully use sound. Unfortunately, the sound used here is really primitive, it?s rather hard to hear a lot of the dialogue. Part of the problem is that the lead actress had a heavy accent and they had another actress record her dialogue off camera as she lip synched, this effect doesn?t work at all and is awkward throughout. The film as a whole is a rather dull. There is two great scenes, one midway through and one toward the end. Otherwise, this is really only important as an artifact.

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