The Manxman (1929)

director	Alfred Hitchcock
producer	John Maxwell
writer	Eliot Stannard
story by	Hall Caine (original novel)
starring	Carl Brisson Malcolm Keen Anny Ondra
cinematographer	Jack E. Cox
editor	Emile de Ruelle
running time	88 minutes (7,932 feet)
colour	black & white
sound mix	silent with English intertitles
aspect ratio	1.33:1
studio	British International Pictures
distributor	Wardour Films (UK)
availability	DVD
film-1449 (add your rating)

Synopsis

Despite their differing backgrounds, fisherman Pete and lawyer Philip have been life long friends on the Isle of Man. Pete wants to marry Kate, the landlord's daughter at the local inn, however Kate's father doesn't think he is good enough. Pete leaves the island to seek his fortune abroad and entrusts Kate to Philip, but they start to be attracted to each other.

Production

Sir Hall Caine's "The Manxman", published in 1894, was one of his greatest successes, eventually selling over half a million copies. Several stage adaptations soon followed, along with a film adaptation in 1916 directed by George Loane Tucker and starring Henry Ainley and Adeline Hayden Coffin.

Pre-Production

Screenplay

Eliot Stannard's scenario for the film marked the end of his eight-film collaboration with Hitchcock. Stannard went on to write for another seven films before leaving the industry in the early 1930s, by which time he had over 150 writing credits to his name.

Casting

Brisson, Keen and Ondra

The cast was announced by British International Pictures in July 1928. Alongside Czechoslovakian actress Anny Ondra, making her first of two films for Hitchcock, Carl Brisson and Malcolm Keen returned for their final film with the director.

Principal Photography

The Cornish coast

Filming began in early August. Despite initial reports that Hitchcock would use the Isle of Man, the setting of Caine's book, location filming took place on the Cornish coastline and at Polperro Harbour.

The cast and crew returned to Elstree Studios in late September and filming was quickly completed.

According to Donald Spoto, studio head John Maxwell disliked the film so much that it was temporarily shelved until a positive trade screening, combined with the success of "Blackmail", changed his mind.

Release & Reception

In general, the reviews of "The Manxman" were more positive than for "Champagne", with The Bioscope stating that only a "skilful director could have devised from a story of this kind a picture of remarkable power and gripping interest."

Wardour publicity poster

Writing in "Hitchcock's British Films", Maurice Yacowar praises the film:

In terms of Hitchcock’s development, The Manxman is a minor gem. It has his richest text up to that point, the most touching characterization, and some of the strongest imagery. Hobbled by a tangential morality, the film is still a fuller realization of human nature than his subsequent thrillers.

In his conversations with François Truffaut, Hitchcock was dismissive, calling it "a very banal picture" and stating that the "only point of interest about that movie is that it was my last silent one."

Preservation

As part of the "Save the Hitchcock 9" campaign, started in 2010, the British Film Institute undertook a full restoration of "The Manxman". Unlike the other silent films, the original camera negative was available and was used for the project.

See Also...

For further relevant information about this film, see also...

• 1000 Frames of The Manxman (1929)
• Articles about The Manxman (1929)
• Titles and Intertitles
• Trivia
• Web links to information, articles, reviews, etc

DVD Releases

released in 2008

Laquelle des Trois (1928) / Manxman (1929) - Studio Canal (France, 2008) R2 PAL 1.33:1

released in 2007

	The Manxman (1929) - Lionsgate (USA, 2007) - part of a box set R1 NTSC 1.33:1
	The Manxman (1929) - Optimum Releasing (UK, 2007) - part of a box set R2 PAL 1.33:1

...view older DVD releases

Image Gallery

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Film Frames

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Cast and Crew

Directed by:

• Alfred Hitchcock
• Frank Mills - assistant director

Starring:

• Carl Brisson - Pete Quilliam
• Malcolm Keen - Philip Christian
• Anny Ondra - Kate Cregeen
• Randle Ayrton - Caesar Cregeen
• Clare Greet - Mother
• Kim Peacock - Ross Christian
• Nellie Richards - Wardress

Produced by:

• John Maxwell

Written by:

• Hall Caine - original novel
• Eliot Stannard

Photographed by:

• Jack E Cox

Edited by:

• Emile de Ruelle