Product Details

• Actors: Sara Allgood, Joan Barry, Ex-Det. Sergt. Bishop, Harvey Braban, Johnny Butt
• Format: Black & White, EP, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Republic Pictures
• VHS Release Date: May 19, 1998
• Run Time: 82 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630307376X
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #91,997 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  Video > Mystery & Suspense > Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem > Blackmail

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Blackmail was originally conceived as a silent picture, but since it was made in 1929, just as British studios were converting to sound, director Alfred Hitchcock talked the producers into letting him reshoot much of the film. The result is a legendary British thriller and an early Hitchcock exercise in guilt and sexual perversion.

The film's most famous sequence reveals the director's brilliance at manipulating the new medium. It features a terrified young woman who has returned home after stabbing a would-be rapist. Sitting at breakfast with her family, she flinches every time anyone says the word knife. Gradually the conversation becomes inaudible to the woman and to us, except for the word knife, which grows louder with each repetition. When finally called upon to pass the bread knife, the woman falls apart, unable to touch the object that resembles the weapon she had just wielded. While Blackmail will fascinate fans of the great director, it is a superb psychological thriller in its own right. --Raphael Shargel

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hitch Brings The "Talkie" To Britain, September 16, 2005

By	L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (fountain valley, ca United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Blackmail [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Blackmail"

A pair of gloves is the only evidence in a murder case. One is found by the detective working the case, the other by a sinister eyewitness who wants to "Blackmail" the killer. No, this is not a TV movie about OJ Simpson, this is early Hitch!(Only he could have known.)

In 1929 Alfred Hitchcock was already displaying his innate senses of style, suspense, shadowy figures, sensuality and lets not forget his wonderful sense of humor. This film has all those qualities that makes his films so recognizable.

Alice is bored,and steps out on Frank, her Scotland Yard boyfriend. Her "date" offers to paint her portrait. She agrees, but once in his apartment, he attacks her and she kills him in self defense.

The investagation leads her Detective boyfreind to realize she is the killer, but keeps it to himself. There is another witness, one that can blow the lid off the whole case. Alice's guilt is getting the best of her(shades of "Tell Tale Heart" by Poe). Will she turn herself in before it's too late, or will they keep this secret buried.

"Blackmail started out as a silent but with films like the "Jazz Singer" opening in the States, Hitch decided to add sound to this one making it the first British "Talkie". The film stars Anny Ondra (she's marvelous)as Alice,John Longden as Frank, and Donald Calthrop as the blackmailer.

Looking for Hitch: I spied him in the first 10 minutes in quite a comical cameo, don't miss it!

A wonderful look at an early film of a budding genius. Hitch fans will enjoy this one!....Laurie

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth a look, November 23, 2002

By	Louise Kolbeinsen "Louise" (England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Blackmail [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie was one of the first Hitchcock movies I ever saw, and it made me want to see more. It was the first "talkie" filmed in Britain, and the lead actress, Anny Ondra, had to be dubbed due to her thick accent.
Ondra stands out to me, she is a delight as the blackmailed young lady. It is a pity that she was not used again by Hitchcock.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I like this movie and I don't, June 14, 2002

A Kid's Review

This movie is better than the other versions and even though it is a Hitchcock I still don't like it that much. This was Hitch's first talkie, but not a good start. I don't think it was super but it beats the other two versions by a long shot! Watch it and see what you think!