Blackmail
Sono Art-World Wide Pictures | Release Date: October 6, 1929 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
71
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews
Positive:
8
Mixed:
2
Negative:
0

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
The extraordinary plateau attained by Hitchcock’s first sound film in relation to his overall development is the sum of many accomplishments: above all, a decisive mastery in moving back and forth between objective and subjective narrative modes. Read full review
80
EmpireDavid Parkinson
A little clunky at times for contemporary audiences but still manages to truly perturb at times... Read full review
80
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
Moodily filmed in an effectively Germanic style, with a neat supporting turn by Calthrop and fine set pieces such as the chase through the British Museum, BLACKMAIL still plays well, and is a suitable precursor to the master director's later work. Read full review
75
Entertainment WeeklyWesley Stenzel
The director's most literal signature elements are almost all on display in his first talkie — dizzying camerawork, endless staircases, and fast-paced chase scenes make the movie's best moments distinctly engaging. Read full review
75
Slant MagazineChuck Bowen
While the film lacks the feverish, autocritical neuroses of Hitchcock’s mid- and late-period masterpieces, it often superbly plumbs notions of guilt and vulnerability, all the while cheekily satirizing Scotland Yard as a swayable arbiter of justice. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
Hitchcock's first talkie, begun as a silent film and then converted midstream, alternates stiff dramatic scenes with brilliant, highly visual suspense sequences. [26 Nov 1999, p.A]
70
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
Like most of his British films, Blackmail is a sign of things to come rather than Hitchcock at his height, but it shouldn’t be missed. Read full review
70
The New YorkerPauline Kael
A London-set Hitchcock silent thriller that was in part reshot and in part dubbed to make it a sound film--and an unusually imaginative and innovative one.
60
The New York TimesMordaunt Hall
It is a murder story based on a play by Charles Bennett and in spite of its many artificial situations and convenient ideas it possesses a dramatic value that holds the attention. Read full review
40
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
Blackmail is most draggy. It has no speed or pace and very little suspense. Read full review
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71 Critic Reviews

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