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6.9/10
Archivist John
Senior Editor
A definitive 6.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Blackmail remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
"Blackmail," Alfred Hitchcock's leap into sound, is absolutely worth seeing today, especially if you're curious about film history or love a good, tense thriller. If you enjoy films that really get into someone's head after a terrible mistake, you'll probably dig this. However, if you need super slick modern pacing and perfect sound, some parts might feel a bit slow or even odd.
The film just throws you right into it, showing a day in the life of a Scotland Yard detective, Frank, before settling on his girlfriend, Alice White. They have a bit of a tiff, as couples do, and she ends up going off with an artist guy instead. Big mistake.
What happens next in the artist's apartment is... well, it’s a classic setup. He gets a bit too pushy, she grabs a bread knife – not just *any* knife, a proper big one – and suddenly he's dead. The way Hitchcock shoots this, all shadows and quick movements, you don't even see the knife strike directly. You just *know*. It's brilliant in its suggestion.
The silent version of this film, which I hear exists, must be a whole different beast. But the sound here, even though it’s primitive, is so key. Remember that breakfast scene? Alice is just trying to get through the morning, and her neighbor keeps going on about a murder, and the word "knife" just gets repeated, louder and louder in Alice's mind. It's almost *unbearable*. 🗣️ That's a moment that really sticks with you.
You can almost feel the movie trying to convince you this moment matters. And it does. Alice's guilt is so palpable, it's almost a third character. She wanders through London, and everything seems to be accusing her. The way the light hits her face, or how she shrinks away from a shadow, it’s all there.
Then comes the blackmailer, Tracy. He’s this *smarmy* fellow, truly unpleasant. He knows Alice killed the artist, and he just waltzes right into her life, demanding money. It’s a very early example of Hitchcock making us squirm in our seats, watching someone *so* vulnerable being exploited. His whole demeanor, the way he just *hangs around* the apartment, is just plain creepy.
The chase scene through the British Museum is a fantastic set piece. I mean, it’s not CGI explosions, but the scale of the museum, the way Tracy tries to escape, it feels quite grand for the era. And the way it resolves, with Tracy falling through the glass ceiling, is just *chef's kiss* for a silent-era escape. Though, it's not totally silent, is it? The scream!
Frank, Alice’s boyfriend, the detective, he gets put in such a tight spot. He knows she did it, but he also loves her. That internal struggle, watching him wrestle with his conscience, is what gives the film its real teeth. It’s not just a whodunit; it’s a *what-will-they-do-now*?
One thing I found a bit fascinating, maybe a small thing, is the way some of the actors move. It’s still got a touch of that stagey, over-the-top silent film acting in places, especially with some of the minor characters. But Joan Barry, as Alice, she mostly carries it with her eyes. John Longden as Frank is pretty good too, very stoic.
The ending, without giving too much away, is rather ambiguous. It doesn't tie things up neatly with a bow. It leaves you with a certain feeling of unease, which is very Hitchcock. Justice isn't always clean, is it? It’s not about finding the perfect solution. Sometimes, it’s about what you *live with*.
This movie is a really important stepping stone for Hitchcock. You see him experimenting, figuring out how to use this new sound technology not just for dialogue, but for *mood* and *tension*. It’s not always seamless, sure, but it’s *bold*. It’s a bit rough around the edges, but that's part of its charm. It feels like a filmmaker finding his footing, and that's exciting to witness.
I also kept thinking about The Red Viper, though that's a completely different vibe, just something about the way secrets fester. Not really connected, but it just popped into my head.
So yeah, go watch "Blackmail." It's a proper piece of cinematic history and still holds up as a suspenseful little gem. 💎 Don't expect modern gloss, but do expect a master learning his craft.
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