Jamaica Inn (1939)

53% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
37% of users liked it
(3,802 ratings)

Alfred Hitchcock directed this disappointing misfire, memorable solely for the fact is that it is the final film from Hitchcock's early British period before he left for the Hollywood studio system and David O. Selznick. In the England of the 1800s, a group of ruthless smugglers, led by Sir Humphrey… More Alfred Hitchcock directed this disappointing misfire, memorable solely for the fact is that it is the final film from Hitchcock's early British period before he left for the Hollywood studio system and David O. Selznick. In the England of the 1800s, a group of ruthless smugglers, led by Sir Humphrey Pengallon (Charles Laughton), prey on ships by blacking out warning signals. When the ships crash on the rocks, the nefarious group loots the remains and kills the sailors. The plot kicks in when the beautiful orphan Mary Yelland (Maureen O'Hara) goes to visit her uncle Joss Merlyn (Leslie Banks) at a creepy hotel called the Jamaica Inn, the home of the gang of smugglers. Mary doesn't realize that Uncle Joss is one of them. Meanwhile, Lloyd's of London sends one of their ablest men, Jem Trahearne (Robert Newton), to investigate the recurring shipwrecks. Jem checks in to the Jamaica Inn, and when the coven of smugglers finds out who he is, they capture him and attempt to kill him. But Mary comes to his rescue and saves him. Through the inn, the smugglers try to recapture Jem -- along with Mary. Thrown together by dire circumstances, the two fall in love. Meanwhile, all the shenanigans occurring at the Jamaica Inn appear to be driving Pengallon insane. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock
Written By: Sidney Gilliat, Joan Harrison, J.B. Priestley
Genres: Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 13, 1939 Wide
On DVD: Jul 20, 1999

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
By common consent, one of Alfred Hitchcock's poorest and least personal works, though it has some compensations.
Variety Staff, Variety
Superb direction, excellent casting, expressive playing and fine production offset an uneven screenplay to make Jamaica Inn a gripping version of the Daphne du Maurier novel.
Frank S. Nugent, New York Times
Having set his own standards, Alfred Hitchcock must be judged by them; and, by them, his Jamaica Inn is merely journeyman melodrama.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Creaky, old-hat, and forgettable.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Couched in pure silent German gothic
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A hammy eye-rolling and eye-catching weird performance by Laughton, waddling madly around in Wellingtons and a high hat.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The result is weird, but not wonderful.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Erratic effort by master Hitchcock.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
Considering the nature of the production, it's no wonder that Hitch never gets inside any of the characters
, Film4
Hitchcock's final British film before leaving for the States and a second career is a disappointing and an uncharacteristic romantic melodrama.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This is my favourite of Hitchcock's 30s movies, it's exciting, thrilling, and romantic. It has great actors too.
Stella D

it's pretty weak for hitchcock; way too melodramatic with alot of bad acting, including a ridiculous performance by charles laughton! too bad; i love sea adventures...
Cassandra M

"Jamaica Inn" is a rarity in Hitchcock's filmography: a film that was BEHIND its time (it could have been an early talkie). It is notable only for the hints of sexual perversion one can find in the performances of Charles Laughton and Leslie Banks; in fact, the villains… More
"Jamaica Inn" is a rarity in Hitchcock's filmography: a film that was BEHIND its time (it could have been an early talkie). It is notable only for the hints of sexual perversion one can find in the performances of Charles Laughton and Leslie Banks; in fact, the villains of the piece are much more interesting than the bland heroes. No "Juno and the Paycock", but still one of Hitchcock's weakest
Sarah P

I didn't get this one or why anyone would want to watch it.

Cast

            Charles Laughton as Sir Humphrey Pengallan

            Maureen O'Hara as Mary Yelland

            Emlyn Williams as Harry the Peddler

            Hay Petrie as Groom

            Robert Newton as Jem Trehearne

            Leslie Banks as Joss Merlyn

            Basil Radford as Pengallan's Guest

            Frederick Piper as Broker

            Mervyn Johns as Thomas

            Marie Ney as Patience Merlyn

            Wylie Watson as Salvation Watkins

            Stephen Haggard as Boy

            William Devlin as Pengallan's Tenant

            Jeanne De Casalis as Pengallan's Guest

            Robert A'Dair
            
            Marie Ault
            
            O.B. Clarence
            
            George Curzon as Pengallan's Guest

            Morland Graham as Sea-Lawyer Sidney

            Edwin Greenwood as Dandy

            Clare Greet as Pengallan's Tenant

            Horace Hodges as Chadwick the Butler

            Mary Jerrold
            
            Harry Lane
            
            Herbert Lomas as Pengallan's Tenant

            John Longden as Capt. Johnson

            Aubrey Mather
            
            Philip Ray
            
            Mabel Terry-Lewis as Pengallan's Guest

            William Fazan
            
            Sam Lee
            
            Alan Lewis
            
            Harry Bromley Davenport as Pengallan's Guest

            George Gurzon
            
            Archie Harradine
            
            George Smith
            
See full cast