Well worth seeing for lovers of atmosphere and appreciators of the young Maureen O'Hara's exquisitely creamy comeliness. Not Hitchcock's best, yet one of his gamiest. Jamaica Inn is a dirty movie in the most visceral sense of the term. Amateur pirates have their way with treasure-laden shipwrecks, then spend a lot of time being unwashed & skanky at a scary tavern whilst waiting for their next kill. Leslie Banks, the clean-scrubbed hero of the Man Who Knew Too Much, figures here as one of the filthiest, nastiest, most amoral creatures alive; he's scarcely recognizable as the virtuous father from the earlier film. The sexual tension betwixt Banks and O'Hara -- whose characters are related by marriage -- is absolutely eye-popping! Marie Ney, as Patience, gives a quietly stunning turn as a victimized woman who will endure ANYTHING for her man -- no matter what a villainous blackguard he is. Charles Laughton delightfully hams it up as the provincial Cornish coast politico, AND in case there are any doubts as to where Hitchcock's sympathies lie/lay, look at who gets the final frames of this film all to himself. !!

perfect vintage treatment, a dramatic presentation with realistic effects without detailed realism meant for visceral reaction. Laughton marvelous. Loved it.

I don't know what video RUFUS saw, but the Cohen Film Collection DVD here was Excellent with wonderful visuals showing off a mastery of special effects: storms, shipwrecks, crowd scenes that give the film an authentic period quality. ALSO Laughton's over the top performance is one of the joys of the film: he was the producer, so I suppose Hitchcock had to indulge him and he got his way. I have problems with his makeup which borders on the caricature. But I would praise Hitchcock for the exciting pace of the film, even tho' the "near misses" do strain credulity. Nonetheless a VERY enjoyable "romp".

This video cassette is in unwatchable condition, sound and picture are horrible. Maybe someday the library will have the funds to transfer everything to digital. From what I saw, this looked like a very different kind of Hitchcock, rather a disturbing opening, very atmospheric but I couldn't stick with it.

Lots of close calls on all sides, so many that the "tension" almost starts feeling wearing.

A rather atypical period piece from Alfred Hitchcock that was his last English film before leaving for America. Based on a Daphne Du Maurier book (he'd also adapt her "Rebecca" and "The Birds"), it's a mix of Robert Louis Stevenson adventure and Emily Bronte mood. Hitchcock reportedly was unhappy with the film and with actor Charles Laughton, who dominates the film in a way few actors do in the master's work. Yet they would work together again on "The Paradine Case." It's enjoyable enough, but doesn't feel much like a Hitchcock film. Mauren O'Hara co-stars, in her first role, and Robert Newton, who would later gain fame as Long John Silver, plays a good guy. There is no Hitchcock cameo either.

Surprisingly amateurish acting from the supporting cast, and very crude film quality and sound; some of the dialogue was indecipherable. Still, an entertaining watch due mainly to Charles Laughton and those crazy eyebrows, and a very green eighteen year old Maureen O'Hara.

An intereesting thriller with some great acting by Charles Laughton.

We only have the dvd at this library, it's a shame as this is an excellent book by Du Maurier. The dvd is good, but the book is far superior.