THE MANXMAN
UK, 1929, 110 minutes, Black and white.
Anny Ondra, Carl Brisson, Malcolm Keen.
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
The Manxman is one of Alfred Hitchcock’s last silent films. He made quite a number of films in the UK, also in Germany, during the 1920s, including one of his most celebrated films, The Lodger.
This is an emotional film, a variation on the love triangle. It set in the Isle of Man and captures much of the rugged beauty of the island, its isolation, even though boats went to Liverpool and to Africa.
The silent film style requires strong presence from the cast, which they offer, intensity of expression accompanying the subtitles.
Two young men grow up together, are friends, but both are attracted to the same woman. One is a fisherman who thinks the woman is in love with him and goes off to sea. The other, whom she secretly loves, is educated and becomes a lawyer. When news comes of the sailor’s death, the couple marry – but he returns. The woman leaves the sailor, tells him that her child is not his, attempts suicide. The culmination is in the court where the lawyer is presiding, is exposed and has to resign his position.
Worthwhile Hitchcock film.
1. The impact of this Alfred Hitchcock film? His work in the 1920s? Silent Western Mark black-and-white? Reliance on the performance, screen presence, use of captions?
2. The Isle of Man settings, the sea, the town, the homes, the interiors, the courts? The rugged coast? Atmosphere?
3. The biblical reference? The moral?
4. The sea, the framework, the isolation, the traditions, boats to Liverpool, to Africa?
5. The three friends, Pete, rough, his work, at the Inn? Phil, better educated? Kate, her relationship with her father? The bond with Pete? Loving Phil? The farewell? The letter, news of the death, Pete still alive, his hopes?
6. The relationship between Kate and feel? Phil? The bond between Phil and Pete? Growing up together, the nature of their friendship? The relationship with Kate? Her father’s judgement about each of them?
7. Phil, the law, his becoming the magistrate Western Mark
8. Pete, the return, marrying Kate, her being pregnant? The desire for Phil? Antagonism between the two men?
9. Kate, leaving Pete, saying the child was not his? Her suicide attempt?
10. The matters in the court Western Mark the revelation about Phil and his relationship with Kate? His resignation?
11. The power of performance of three characters, getting emotional response? A reworking of the eternal triangle?
