This really is far from top form for the great Alfred Hitchcock but is an interesting, sometimes exciting film with Hitchcock touches which lift it above its average origins.
It is important to remember that this is in keeping with most early talkies in appearing odd and over acted. People don't always take into account the introduction of sound meant screen acting became a whole new skill which made it hard to provide consistently good performances. Cameras with sound equipment meant directing took a backward step as cameras had to be kept more in a fixed position and actors and directors suffered new limitations. Camera shots and outdoor filming was made more difficult and sound was poor.
The 'classic' Frankenstein directed by James Whale is more over acted and has more bizarre dialogue than this, both that film and this one have enough qualities to overcome the dated nature of nearly all early talkies though.
The plot is interesting and strange but is not fully thought through. The dialogue is of mixed quality, some funny and sharp, some poor. The acting too is of mixed quality. However, there is wit, charm and some spooky and suspenseful parts throughout. Its opening is very effective indeed and I found the fight scenes amazingly dynamic and exciting despite or perhaps because of primitive techniques that had to be used.
The climactic chase scene is really thrilling and Hitch uses models brilliantly. It is like old fashioned CGI really, you can see it isn't real but used properly it works well.
Hitch didn't take it seriously and it is largely tongue in cheek with some nice humour. It is atmospherically shot with some great camera shots, moments of suspense and thrills. A good film but not the usual Hitchcock classic.
It is important to remember that this is in keeping with most early talkies in appearing odd and over acted. People don't always take into account the introduction of sound meant screen acting became a whole new skill which made it hard to provide consistently good performances. Cameras with sound equipment meant directing took a backward step as cameras had to be kept more in a fixed position and actors and directors suffered new limitations. Camera shots and outdoor filming was made more difficult and sound was poor.
The 'classic' Frankenstein directed by James Whale is more over acted and has more bizarre dialogue than this, both that film and this one have enough qualities to overcome the dated nature of nearly all early talkies though.
The plot is interesting and strange but is not fully thought through. The dialogue is of mixed quality, some funny and sharp, some poor. The acting too is of mixed quality. However, there is wit, charm and some spooky and suspenseful parts throughout. Its opening is very effective indeed and I found the fight scenes amazingly dynamic and exciting despite or perhaps because of primitive techniques that had to be used.
The climactic chase scene is really thrilling and Hitch uses models brilliantly. It is like old fashioned CGI really, you can see it isn't real but used properly it works well.
Hitch didn't take it seriously and it is largely tongue in cheek with some nice humour. It is atmospherically shot with some great camera shots, moments of suspense and thrills. A good film but not the usual Hitchcock classic.