The film was originally to be released under the same title as the novel “Enter Sir John” but this was changed to the simpler “Murder!” during shooting. A number of changes were made from the book including the alteration of the names of the two principal characters. The portrayal of the character Sir John Mernier was loosely based on that of the actor Gerald du Maurier who was a friend of Hitchcock. Hitchcock makes his cameo appearance in the film as a man walking past the murder victim’s house.*
The film has different names in various countries. The original UK title is “Murder!”. In France the film is known as “Meurtre”, in Germany the name of the movie is “Mord – Sir John greift ein!”, in Spain it’s “Asesinato”, in Portugal it’s “Assassínio”, in Italy it’s “Omicidio!”, in Greece it’ “Dolofonia”, in Finland it’s “Epäiltynä murhasta”, in Sweden it’s “Mord” and in Argentinia the move is known as “Murder”.
The film was also shot in German language with the same scenarios, some small changes in the film script but with different actors beside two side roles. This version was released under the name “Mary” in Germany (http://youtu.be/FVCSofdMyqk) and “Geheimnis der Nacht” in Austria.
What a flawless print of this early Hitchcock film! Many of his trademark directorial touches are evident such as the striking female accused, the wonderful handling of the crowd panic, bars of light and darkness over the character to signify a crisis, and inventive use of angles and lighting. A real treat!! Thanks!
I won't give thumb up or down. Black and white is good, Marshall is good. Impossible for me to hear over half of the dialogue with background noise, bawling infants, bad sound quality and undecipherable Brit accents.
And, worst, unnecessary loud theme music obliterating other dialogue. They hadn't figured out yet how to make films.
Hi! I'm from Brazil! And I am here to congratulate you for this wonderful work! I love Hitchcock movies, specially the British era(silent and talkies). Very happy watching these masterpieces!!! Best.
This is one of the best 1930 films. Remember… "Talkies" are still in their infantsy in 1930. There is a nice Wikipedia entry on this film. Hitchcock didn't begin making Big money until he landed in Hollywood. His fame began and spread quickly for hisability to create, write, and direct great movies. WARNING: Hitchcock appears in cameo at 59:55 minutes into. The main folks are talking outside the woman's flat when these two (man and woman) walk in front of them. The two are oblivious to the camera and the characters – they just walk past. That's Hitchcock. And that's 2nd cameo of a "Talkie."
i didn't like…
Herbert Marchall lost one of his legs in the war,it was a well kept secret for many years.
Anything with Hitchcock is class!!
Thank you for sharing
There's Alfred: Right at 1: into – as the three are leaving the house. The couple that pass them on the sidewalk… The nearest person, the guy, is Hitchcock !!.
Here's a trivial Oops… As Sir John is talking to the defendant at the prison, they're both sitting at a long table. As the camera switches between the two as they talk, you can see from the table's planks that they keep switching sides (or turning the table around). There are three wide (say 8 Inch) planks and one more narrow (say about 6 inch) plank. I wonder if Hitchcock (who is usually on top of "Continuity" in his movies to the point of Obsession) didn't turn the table On Purpose and for fun ??!!??
There is some influence of German expressionist film making in this early Hitchcock classic, too.
Many of his early movies were somewhat "quirky" to say the least?
COLOUR
Shame on you!!! You're not supposed to give away the cameo. That was the fun and purpose of it all!!! Hitchcock's sense of humor and his trademark.
Why are there 12 jury members listed at the beginning of the film, if one of them was Herbert Marshall (listed as member of the cast and not as a jury member)?
The jury foreman is handed 10 pieces of paper. If one includes the first, his own, he's got 11 total, but then he counts 10. Another incongruity.
Some great character players in this one including Herbert Marshall, the smooth villain of "Foreign Correspondent", who had one artificial leg, having lost one during the First World War, and a handsome young Edward Chapman, almost unrecognisable as the stooge 20 years later of Norman Wisdom in his British comedies as the put-upon "Mr Grimsdale" ! Miles Mander, like Herbert Marshall, went on to much character work in Hollywood while poor Donald Calthrop, a regular in other Hitchcock British films such as "Blackmail", fought a running battle with alcoholism.
I think mostly all of Hitchcock's work are works of art, quirky, n he did things deliberately, like the flaw on the wall n the turning of the table. There r prb alot of uthr quirky things n every show and or movie that ppl hv missed. But he has done sum rly great shows.. a brilliant mind indeed
I adore a clipped Transatlantic accent and can't stand modern upspeak. I'm continually yelling at at the radio, saying, "Are you asking me or are you telling me?"
1:17:00 brilliant cinematography to show what the passing time is to bring to the waiting prisoner .
anyone else almost turn this off just to stop that infernal knocking at the beginning?
Herbert Marshall was such a great actor…… with such a great, low voice….. Handsome and elegant!
"PLEASE COMMENT CORRECTLY IN ENGLISH" Just who are yoiu talking to Madame? I have only read PERFECT English o n this site.
Excellent quality, thanks so much, so sinister, lol.
Is it me or were actresses more attractive in the late 20s and 30s?
Great Movie!! Thank You For Sharing 😄
A lot of humor in this film: first we hear quite a lot of Wagner's Tristan prelude, than the excruciatingly awful piano playing of that little girl. Changing clothes is a running gag that becomes an important plot device. Quite a brilliant film.
it's a pity the sound quality is so poor, I know it's an 80 year old and degraded recording but it can be very hard to make out the dialog at times. The picture quality is great though.
Reminds me of the great film: Twelve Angry Men.. That film might have its roots in this old film.
Herbert Marshall! I was too young to see his films when he was cast as the star-which even though one might say he was not cast as the star, he was always the star.
The constant accusation of being "half caste" is very significant in this film. I have no clue what this means & why it's mentioned several times. I'm sure I'll find out once I google it, but why was it considered such an important character excuse for the murderer? Anyone know – please bring it on?
where is the wall at in 1:12:39
MURDER ASSASSINO
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39:58 Did the actress flub her lines and get Lucy's and Sophie's names back to front? Why didn't Hitch reshoot it?