The 39 Steps

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, The 39 Steps is available in Australia on Artiflix and JustWatch TV, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max Amazon Channel right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 1,059 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Watch Robert Donat work — the performance is a masterclass in restraint. Available now on Artiflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

The 39 Steps is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The 39 Steps treats its mystery as a means, not an end in itself. Richard Hanney has a rude awakening when a glamorous female spy falls into his bed - with a knife in her back. Having a bit of trouble explaining it all to Scotland Yard, he heads for the hills of Scotland to try to clear his name by locating the spy ring known as The 39 Steps. Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1935. What makes The 39 Steps hold up is that the resolution matters less than how the characters get there. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

If you cannot walk away from a good mystery, The 39 Steps will keep you hooked. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Robert Donat anchors it, but the writing does the real work. If you are going to commit to one crime drama this month, make it this one.