NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (September 2025): Imprint have transferred two Hitchcock remakes to Blu-ray; The Thirty-Nine Steps (1978) and The Lady Vanishes (1979.) The Thirty-Nine Steps is cited as being "from new 2024 2K scan and restoration" and for The Lady Vanishes "a 2K scan of the Original 35mm Negative by Imprint Films". Overall, both films exhibit a marked improvement over previous home video editions, with minimal artifacts and a film-like appearance that respects the source material. The 1978 adaptation of The Thirty-Nine Steps boasts a vibrant and atmospheric visual style that emphasizes period authenticity, setting it apart from its predecessors by faithfully recreating the Edwardian era on the cusp of World War I. Cinematographer John Coquillon's (The Changeling, Straw Dogs, Cross of Iron, The Wilby Conspiracy) work captures the film's urgency through crisp, dynamic framing that heightens suspense, particularly in outdoor sequences where the Scottish moors appear authentically damp and rugged, contributing to a sense of isolation and peril during Hannay's flight. The 1979 remake of The Lady Vanishes presents a visually vibrant and aurally straightforward aesthetic, leveraging color cinematography and real-world locations to update Alfred Hitchcock's 1938 black-and-white original. Produced by Hammer Films, the movie's look emphasizes expansive European landscapes and period authenticity. Cinematographer Douglas Slocombe's (Rollerball, The Music Lovers, Murphy's War, The Italian Job, The Lion in Winter, The Fearless Vampire Killers) work infuses the film with a classical style. Costumes are lavish, notably Cybill Shepherd's white dress (with nine versions created for filming rigors), symbolizing her character's eccentricity against the ominous German backdrop. The art direction supports cultural and thematic contrasts - boisterous Americans in confined compartments versus menacing exteriors - using vibrant colors and detailed sets to enhance the screwball comedy while grounding the espionage in historical realism. The 1080P transfers offer authentic renderings.

NOTE: We have added 134 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Imprint use linear PCM mono track that faithfully reproduces the original flat sound mixes. For The Thirty-Nine Steps, the dialogue remains intelligible amid the action-packed sequences, with Ed Welch's (Virgin Soldiers, Rosie Dixon - Night Nurse, Confessions from a Holiday Camp, Confessions of a Driving Instructor) score - a concerto-style composition that evokes tension and adventure, with motifs that capture the era's political intrigue and Hannay's relentless chase. Ditto for the sound effects - like footsteps during pursuits and ambient crowd noises - coming through with balanced clarity and no distortion. The Lady Vanishes similarly benefits from crisp audio, where Richard Hartley's (Shock Treatment) whimsical score, train rattles, and ensemble banter are well-defined, ensuring that subtle nuances in accents and comedic timing are preserved. While not immersive by modern standards, the tracks are free of hiss or dropout, providing an authentic auditory experience that complements the era's production values. Imprint offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-rays.

No commentaries but the supplements on these Imprint Blu-rays are plentiful and informative, divided between the two films and offering a mix of new 2025 interviews, archival material that provide deep insights into their production. For The Thirty-Nine Steps, highlights include the 1/4 hour "Remaking a Classic" with executive producer James Kenelm Clarke, "Hannay Hanging On" (shy of 14 minutes) featuring stunt coordinator Colin Skeaping (28 Days Later,) the 1/2 hour "Every Second Counts" with film historian Sergio Angelini (The Researcher's Guide: Film, Television, Radio, and Related Documentation Collections in the UK,) an archival "On Location with Robert Powell" featurette, and the theatrical trailer. The Lady Vanishes boasts even more substantial content, such as "Disappearing Act: Elliott Gould Finds the Vanished Lady" - almost 25 minutes with the actor sharing his recollections while sitting in from of his digital library. "The Last Hammer" interviews with Costume Designer Emma Porteous (Aliens, The Jewel of the Nile, 1984, Clash of the Titans, Force 10 from Navarone, Space: 1999,) Construction Manager Tony Graysmark (Lifeforce,) and Stunt Arranger Paul Weston (An American Werewolf in London, A Bridge Too Far, Eskimo Nell, 11 Harrowhouse, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Land That Time Forgot) - "The End of the Line" featurette - shy of 22 minutes - with Alan Barnes (Sherlock Holmes on Screen: The Complete Film and TV History,) Sergio Angelini, Kevin Lyons (editor of The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film and Television,) and Jonathan Rigby (Euro Gothic: Classics of Continental Horror Cinema,) - an archival 1978 interview with Angela Lansbury (almost 1/2 hour,) and both theatrical and teaser trailers. Packaged in one of Imprint's impressive hardboxes, these digital supplements enrich the viewing experience with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and historical context.

1978's The Thirty-Nine Steps, directed by Don Sharp (Bang! Bang! You're Dead!, Rasputin: The Mad Monk, The Face of Fu Manchu, Curse of the Fly, The Devil-Ship Pirates, The Kiss of the Vampire) and written by Michael Robson (The Chosen,) represents the third major cinematic adaptation of John Buchan's 1915 spy thriller novel of the same name. Starring Robert Powell (Harlequin) as the protagonist Richard Hannay, the film features a strong ensemble cast including John Mills (The Wrong Box, The Chalk Garden, Great Expectations,) as Colonel Scudder, David Warner (Time Bandits) as the villainous Sir Edmund Appleton, Karen Dotrice as Alex Mackenzie, and supporting roles by Eric Porter (The Day of the Jackal,) Ronald Pickup, and Donald Pickering. Produced by the Rank Organisation, this version shifts away from the contemporized settings of Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 classic and Ralph Thomas's 1959 remake, opting instead for a period-accurate pre-World War I backdrop in 1914. Marketed as a more faithful rendition of Buchan's text, it blends espionage intrigue with high-stakes action, achieving commercial success in the UK upon release and spawning a spin-off TV series, Hannay (1988-1989), also starring Powell. The Lady Vanishes (1979) is a British thriller directed by Anthony Page (Absolution,) serving as a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's acclaimed 1938 film of the same name, both adapted from Ethel Lina White's 1936 novel The Wheel Spins. Produced by Hammer Film Productions during its waning years - this was their last feature for nearly three decades - the film shifts the story's tone toward lighter screwball comedy while retaining elements of mystery and espionage. Set explicitly in Nazi-controlled Germany in August 1939, just before World War II, it stars Cybill Shepherd (The Last Picture Show, Taxi Driver) as the brash American heiress Amanda Metcalf-Mdivani-Von Hoffsteader-Kelly, Elliott Gould (Who?, The Long Goodbye, Capricorn One, The Silent Partner, M*A*S*H) as the wisecracking photographer Robert Condon, and Angela Lansbury (Death on the Nile, A Life at Stake, The Mirror Crack'd, The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders, Gaslight, Murder, She Wrote) as the enigmatic Miss Froy. With a screenplay by George Axelrod, known for his witty adaptations like The Manchurian Candidate (1962), the film emphasizes humor and romance over Hitchcock's taut suspense. 1978's The Thirty-Nine Steps is not revolutionary like Hitchcock's, but its blend of fidelity and spectacle ensures it remains a noteworthy chapter in the "man-on-the-run" genre, rewarding viewers with a urgent chase through history's precipice. The Lady Vanishes (1979) is a flawed but entertaining reimagining that trades Hitchcock's suspense for comedic flair, succeeding in moments of whimsy and visual splendor while stumbling on tonal consistency and lead performances. It's best appreciated as light escapism, bolstered by Lansbury and the British supporting players, rather than a serious thriller - ultimately, a stylish diversion that, despite its shortcomings, captures the era's blend of romance and intrigue. Imprint Films' Blu-ray release of The Thirty-Nine Steps and The Lady Vanishes stands as a commendable worldwide debut for these 1970s Hitchcock remakes, combining high-quality 2K transfers, solid audio fidelity, and a robust array of extras into a collector-friendly limited edition hardbox that appeals to cinephiles and fans of classic thrillers alike. I think it makes a worthwhile addition to any physical media library for those who can apprciaqte the niche appeal of these lesser-seen adaptations.

Gary Tooze