Alfred Hitchcock Remake Set For Jamaican Theatres

Over the course of half a century, Alfred Hitchcock directed 53 features. A number of them are ranked among the greatest films ever made. But 40 years after the release of his final film, Family Plot (1976), is Hitchcock still as influential a figure in film? The answer to that question lies in the recent rerelease of nine silent films the director made between 1925 and 1929.

Hitchcock directed 10 silent films. One of them, his second feature, The Mountain Eagle (1926), remains lost. But the remaining nine have been gloriously restored. These films have travelled around the world over the last few years, and in each country, local musicians have provided original scores to accompany them.

In the case of Hitchcock's ninth feature, The Manxman (1929), which will make its Jamaican premiere at the Carib 5 Cinema in Cross Roads on March 13, the encounter between British director and Jamaican band seems a perfect match.

The Manxman, remains one of the few Hitchcock films to take place entirely outside of a city environment. A love triangle, it is set in a fishing village on the Isle of Man, an island off the British coast.

Despite their differing backgrounds, fisherman Pete and lawyer Philip have been lifelong friends on the Isle of Man. Pete wants to marry Kate, the landlord's daughter at the local inn; however, Kate's father doesn't think he is good enough. Pete leaves the island to seek his fortune abroad and entrusts Kate to Philip, but they eventually become attracted to each other.

Then comes the tragic news that Pete's ship is wrecked, and Philip and Kate no longer have to hide that they plan to marry. However, Pete is not dead.

It might not be a thriller, but there is certainly a lot of suspense in what happens, and its uniqueness, in terms of storyline, gives musicians the opportunity to offer something that is new and different to accompany the action.

And could there be a more perfect suite for a screening in Jamaica of a Hitchcock film? After all, what better environment to show an island film than on an island? It's something even Hitchcock might have been thrilled by.

The Manxman screening is set for a 5 p.m. start time.