The 39 Steps and Other Richard Hannay Adventures

A BBC Radio Collection of Full-Cast Dramatisations

By: John Buchan

Narrated by: Clive Merrison, David Robb, full cast, Jasmine Hyde, Nigel Anthony, Patrick Malahide, Tom Baker

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Five BBC Radio 4 dramatisations of John Buchan’s espionage thrillers featuring gentleman spy Richard Hannay.

The forerunner to James Bond, Secret Agent Richard Hannay is a thoroughly British action hero, pursuing ruthless villains, foiling deadly plans and risking life and limb for his country. This gripping collection encompasses all five of Hannay’s adventures, adapted for radio with superb casts including Tom Baker, Clive Merrison, Stuart Milligan, Jasmine Hyde and Patrick Malahide.

The 39 Steps

When a man is murdered in Richard Hannay's London flat, he goes on the run pursued by the police - and a gang of German spies intent on recovering a secret notebook which could destroy the British naval fleet. Starring David Robb as Hannay.

Greenmantle

1915. Summoned to the War Office, Hannay is told of an impending Holy War in the East. Greenmantle - once a mythical figure, now made flesh - is preparing to lead a great Islamic army against the infidel English. Hannay's mission: to identify Greenmantle and destroy him. Starring David Robb as Hannay.

Mr Standfast

Recalled from the Western Front, Hannay is ordered to pose as a pacifist and sent to Glasgow. Along the way, he meets a teenage Secret Service Agent who will change the course of his life. Starring David Robb as Hannay.

The Three Hostages

When a gang of international criminals kidnaps a trio of hostages, the Secret Service brings Hannay out of retirement to track them down. But the mission will pit him against an adversary who can control men’s minds. Starring David Robb as Hannay.

The Island of Sheep

A chance meeting in a train and a villainous vendetta shake Richard Hannay out of a complacent middle age, as dangerous men go in pursuit of treasure. Starring Nigel Anthony as Hannay.

Please note: the vintage stories in this collection reflect the attitudes of their time.

©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Critic reviews

"The BBC radio sound effects department is on top form, adding thrills that no printed book can rival." (The Times)

I found this dramatization hard to follow

I loved the audio book of The 39 Steps and felt this would be a good follow up. I would still like to read and or listen to the books but the dramatization did do it for me. It was difficult to follow the story and at least in The 39 Steps much of the book was left out and some of it was changed. I may follow up on a reading of the other books but this narration didn't work for me.

Fun 1910s-1930s espionage tales

I was familiar with the Hitchcock film The 39 Steps, but didn’t realize Richard Hannay was a character in multiple stories. These are fun, very clean, espionage stories that take place from WWI - the 1930s. I really enjoyed the dramatization and cast, but thought the cast was stronger in the first four stories, when the characters are younger.

Creepily Right-Wing Anti-Semitic Protagonist

I can enjoy some books whose politics I don't like, but this was too unpleasant to get into. The "hero" says things like "he had a nose like a Polish Jew," apparently intended to be an unremarkable descriptor. The 39 Steps is well-executed and fun, but the others are too Ra-Ra War/Empire for anyone whose politics are left of Margaret Thatcher to actually enjoy. It's surprising that the BBC would have made this in the last 45 years. Production values and performances are solid. Too bad.

Hard to Follow

I agree with the other reviewer that this was a hard one to keep up with the story. I had not read any of the Richard Hannay books, but if I had this would have probably been much easier. The performance was decent, but it all just blended into a mushy, confusing mess for me. I might try the regular books at some point, but don't recommend this one for newcomers to the series.