The 39 Steps (2008)
The British television adaptation of The 39 Steps (2008) is a thrilling adventure based on the novel by John Buchan. The story begins in 1914 with Richard Hannay, a former mining engineer and intelligence officer. Dissatisfied with his return to England after serving in Africa, he finds society to be cliquey, class-bound, and dull. While trying to evade German spies, a man named Scudder shows up at Hannay’s flat and confesses to being a betrayed agent of the British Secret Service Bureau. He has been tracking a German espionage ring headquartered in Scotland and has uncovered plans to assassinate a European royal which could spark a war. Fearing for his life, Scudder gives Hannay a notebook to deliver to Captain Kell of the Secret Service. As Hannay opens the door, Scudder is shot by a German spy who had sneaked into the apartment through a back entrance.
The authorities soon arrive and, mistaking Hannay for the murderer, arrest him. However, he manages to escape. Struggling to get in touch with Kell, Hannay turns to the notebook and discovers pages filled with code written in Roman numerals. In its final section, there is a map which convinces Hannay of Scudder’s credibility. Determined to crack the code while making his way to Scotland, Hannay soon learns of Archduke Ferdinand’s assassination. Upon reaching Scotland, he exits the train and evades the police by hiding in a nearby barn for the night. It is here that he successfully deciphers most of the code (apart from one encrypted section) which reveals Germany’s plan to destroy Britain’s Royal Navy in order to invade the country.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Rupert Penry-JonesRichard Hannay  Lydia LeonardVictoria Sinclair  David HaigSir George Sinclair  Eddie MarsanScudder  Patrick MalahideProfessor Fisher  Patrick KennedyHellory Sinclair |
The British television adaptation of The 39 Steps (2008) is a thrilling adventure based on the novel by John Buchan. The story begins in 1914 with Richard Hannay, a former mining engineer and intelligence officer. Dissatisfied with his return to England after serving in Africa, he finds society to be cliquey, class-bound, and dull. While trying to evade German spies, a man named Scudder shows up at Hannay’s flat and confesses to being a betrayed agent of the British Secret Service Bureau. He has been tracking a German espionage ring headquartered in Scotland and has uncovered plans to assassinate a European royal which could spark a war. Fearing for his life, Scudder gives Hannay a notebook to deliver to Captain Kell of the Secret Service. As Hannay opens the door, Scudder is shot by a German spy who had sneaked into the apartment through a back entrance.
The authorities soon arrive and, mistaking Hannay for the murderer, arrest him. However, he manages to escape. Struggling to get in touch with Kell, Hannay turns to the notebook and discovers pages filled with code written in Roman numerals. In its final section, there is a map which convinces Hannay of Scudder’s credibility. Determined to crack the code while making his way to Scotland, Hannay soon learns of Archduke Ferdinand’s assassination. Upon reaching Scotland, he exits the train and evades the police by hiding in a nearby barn for the night. It is here that he successfully deciphers most of the code (apart from one encrypted section) which reveals Germany’s plan to destroy Britain’s Royal Navy in order to invade the country.
