The Manxman (1929)

Some people may not realize that Alfred Hitchcock, master of suspense, got his start by directing silent pictures in England. The Maxman was his last non-talkie. And, like most of the Master's silent films, it's decent but not as clever as his later movies. It's a love triangle movie, really, which puts it firmly in the realm of the melodrama and pretty far from scares and chills.Pete (Carl Brisson) is a down-on-his-luck fisherman. He may not pull down a great paycheck, but he does have Kate (Anny Ondra), the beautiful daughter of Pete's landlord, Caesar (Randle Ayrton). Pete and Kate seem to really be into each other, and Pete plans to ask for her hand in marriage by way of her father, whose approval is mandatory. But he can't quite bring himself to ask the old man himself, so he asks his best friend Philip (Malcolm Keen), a lawyer, to speak for him. But Caesar will have none of it, seeking a man of actual means for his daughter, and he kicks Pete out. But that's okay, because Pete plans to sail to "foreign parts" and seek his fortune, and then they'll all be sorry! Pete asks Philip to look after Kate while he's gone, and Philip obliges. But soon he and Kate are falling madly in love with each other, which may complicate things when Pete returns. Suddenly - no spoiler! - news arrives that Pete has died while at sea. Now what do Kate and Philip do? They've kept the nature of their relationship a secret so far, but are they now free to bring it out into the open? In addition, Philip is a fast-rising barrister there on the Isle of Man, and he is line to be named the new Deemster (chief judge on the island). Will the revelation derail his career? This is one of those silent films that demands attention really be paid. There are some title cards, but there will be plenty of times when the viewer must make a reasonable inference of the dialog. There are, in fact, two scenes in which someone mouths something that isn't noted at all in a title card - and each instance is quite important to the plot. One must deduce their nature by checking the reaction of the other characters in the scene.The Manxman (i.e., man from the Isle of Man) does feature three fine performances and is a solid representation of films of the era. There are some plot twists, although modern viewers may be able to spot them well before they make their appearance in this movie.

For a silent film, it is pretty good. If a drama can make you consider moving to the edge of your seat, it must have a somewhat compelling story. This film is definitely imperfect; one of the main characters is just dense, to the extent that you can't help but roll your eyes at times. Nevertheless, I found myself on multiple occasions becoming genuinely engaged, interested in the fate of the characters, and even impatiently anticipating the outcome of different events throughout the story. Not a movie I am looking forward to watching again (there wasn't anything to make it really exceptional or unforgettable), but it wasn't bad either, especially considering how old it is.

....are what you will remember from this haunting movie, as well as the lyrical scenery and coast of Cornwall. Hall Caine was a flowery Victorian writer whose reputation didn't survive his death. In his day he was a best selling author and crowds often gathered outside his house - he was given the adulation now reserved for movie stars. He tried to resume his writing after the War but now people found his writing old fashioned, he hadn't kept abreast of the times and never regained his popularity. He did put the Isle of Man on the map as most of his books were set there and quite a few of his most popular ("The Christian", "The Woman Thou Gavest Me") were turned into silent films. Alfred Hitchcock turned to "The Manxman" for his last silent film. He had intended filming it on the Isle of Man but after shooting a few initial scenes found he could not get on with Hall Caine so ended by filming entirely on location in Cornwall, which, to me, was a huge plus.This is a lengthy romantic melodrama involving the "eternal triangle". Peter (Carl Brisson) and Philip (Malcolm Keen) are both in love with the same girl, Kate (vivacious Onny Andra) who is a little flirt and can't make her eyes behave. Kate's father, who is the only villain, worships money and despises Pete, who is only a fisherman and calls him a penniless lout. He is far keener on Philip and encourages their romance, and Pete makes the fatal mistake of encouraging Philip to look after her when he sails off to seek his fortune. Philip, soon to be made a Deemster (judge) looks after her too well but then starts to have second thoughts about becoming involved with a publican's daughter. His own father is constantly held up to him as what can happen when a man of position marries beneath him. Suddenly Pete comes home very wealthy (he had been reported as dead) and is now "flavour of the month" as far as Kate's father is concerned. But even though they marry, Kate is nursing a secret that is only revealed when she is bought to court after a suicide attempt and finds Philip is the presiding judge. SPOILER ALERT.... It all ends pretty miserably. Peter is left heartbroken and alone while Kate and Philip leave the village amid name calling and clenched fists, knowing they will never be able to return and Philip's once bright future is in the dust.Years ago, reading Greta Garbo's biography, it seemed that Carl Brisson was her first big crush. He had been a Swedish matinée idol of the stage so it was surprising for me to learn that his film career was so sparse. In fact he was noted more for his career as a boxer which first bought him to Hitchcock's attention when he was casting "The Ring". Also look out for Derrick De Marney, who was later one of the stars of Hitchcock's "Young and Innocent", as an extra in the wedding scene.

This silent film is a drama. No frills. You could perform this on a stage with minimal props.Hitchcock takes this simple story, and performs "cinema" with it.I am not one who easily watches drama. I fidget and yawn. Hitch must have known that many people do this. He uses the camera in a masterful fashion.There are five characters listed as main characters, but actually only four are featured much-the romantic triangle and the girl's father.At first, we're led to think the best friend is diabolical, and in later films, he would be depicted that way. Here, however, he is a very three dimensional character, in love with his best friend's girl.We get very good imagery, very good backdrops, and very good camera work to tell a basic story. It moves briskly, and you won't be looking at your watch.This is not only exceptionally good drama, but exceptionally good cinema. A combination of reality and magic.