The 39 Steps

            "The 39 Steps" is a thriller movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the pioneer of many cinematographic techniques. The movie is about Richard Hannay who unexpectedly meets a woman named Annabella Smith, a spy who is chased by assassins for uncovering a military secret. Before she dies, Annabella mentions to Hannay about "the 39 steps" without explaining its meanings. By knowing that, Hannay is now getting involved in "the 39 steps" mysterious story and is pursued from place to place. From here, Hannay begins his dangerous adventure which also leads him to a romantic love with a beautiful woman named Pamela. Using his distinctive directorial style and wonderful cinematographic techniques, Hitchcock successfully produces a suspenseful, psychological and interesting thriller movie in which every scene has its own meaning and feature. Some of the typical cinematographic techniques are used to attract the audience attention and reflect the themes of the movies will be discussed below.

            First of all, the contrast of dark and light appears in many scenes throughout the movie creates more suspense and thought. This technique is usually used to distinguish between good and bad, or explicit and mysterious. For example, at the very beginning of the movie, the title "The 39 Steps" is shown in light upon a dark background. "The 39 Steps" is a big question in this movie, a mystery that everyone is trying to find the answer. Hanny is risking his life to find the answer; the audiences keep following up to figure out the answer. What "the 39 steps" is will be solved after a long story that is built from thrill and excite. Another scene that the contrast of dark and light is used is when Hannay takes Annabella home. When they are just walking into the room, it is dark. This is an interesting scene about two completely strangers are talking to each other in suspicion. And when Annabella begins to talk about herself is when Hannay turns on the light. Another example of contrast is when Annabella suddenly enters Hannay's room before she dies. This scene is filmed in dark with just a little light. This is an indication of mystery and suspense. The goal of applying this technique is increasing the audience curiousness and excited. These examples are only few of many scenes that Hitchcock uses the ratio of dark and light to produce meaningful and interesting scenes.