Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Powerful

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Alfred Hichcock could make a good movie. This is not one of the them. If you want to see a good Alfred Hichcock movie see Psycho. Do not see this. This has an awful story line. It has an awful ending. It is not a good movie.

nor is every movie good if it's signed by Alfred Hitchcock. OK, fact is that this is the first British "talkie", and it's even started as silent film. But many silent movies are better than this one. Fact that it was made in 1929. explains and excuses technical imperfections, even acting, but not the story that is completely undeveloped. In this form it could be used for decent episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, but to stretch it into 85 minutes movie is pointless.5/10

Being some years since I viewed the commonly available talkie version of Blackmail, in which I did moderately enjoyed, I had the great experience, that I wouldn't take back for anything, to view the restored silent version of Blackmail at the historic Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, MI accompanied by a live organist.This movie is incredibly moving. Throughout, I had to shake my head a few times to make sure I wasn't dreaming that I was seeing some movie Alfred Hitchcock made in 1929, just to find out it wasn't really a movie "like this" and be teased. No, this was reality, and yes that's how good I think this film is.Without the dubbing of Joan Barry (who is an otherwise excellent actress) the actress who plays Alice, shines much brighter. This movie was simply meant for the silent screen.The plot is different from usual Hitchcock formula. There is no completely wrong perpetrator. It's more a situation of your everyday human beings, with all their good and bad side, caught up in a web that's hard to break, without breaking someone in it. As the drama unfolded, I felt my arm tightening from the suspense.Not exactly an overlooked film, at least not usually, but I would say Blackmail is a bit underrated. Compared to most of Hitchcock's movies from the 1920's through 1933, this is by far the best. But beyond that, I think it ranks up with the silent greats from Murnau, Vidor, or Griffith. Very enjoyable, especially theatrically.

This is a Tale of two formats. The Silent and the Sound Film. Referred to early on as "Talkies", it was a rather limited labeling since the Sound Era was so much more than that. After all, there was Music and Sound Effects that so often added Depth and Delight to the Art Form.Here is the First British Sound Movie and along for the ride is Hitchcock transforming a Silent Movie that probably took a lot of effort considering the Technical limitations and must have been a learn as you go procedure.It does feel a bit Manufactured at first but quickly settles in and has a number of striking and entertaining flourishes that the Director creates and His Love and Playful Style is in clear evidence. There is much here that is Masterful Manipulation and is effective nerve racking done with a staccato of Montaging that is Excellent Film Craft.The Film also contains an Ending that would be forbidden a few Years later when the Hays Code would restrict many things not the least of which is evading Punishment for a Crime. This is an underrated Movie that takes much heat for its less than smooth transition from Silent to Sound, but that takes a backseat to all the other stunning accomplishments from Hitchcocks embryonic Period.