Alfred Hitchcock's 'Blackmail' with the BBC Symphony Orchestra October 31, 2010

A special Halloween treat for suspense lovers.

Introduced on-stage by film critic and broadcaster Mark Kermode.

Based on the play by Charles Bennett – who also collaborated with Hitchcock on The 39 Steps and The Man Who Knew Too Much – Blackmail (1929) is acknowledged as the first British sound feature film. Alice has stabbed to death a man who tried to rape her. Her boyfriend Frank, a policeman, covers it up; but Tracey, the local petty thief, tries to blackmail the couple. This leads to Tracey’s attempted arrest and a spectacular police chase which ends on the roof of the British Museum.

Hitchcock produced two versions of the film – one silent and one with sound in response to the technical developments in cinemas in the 1930’s. The restored print of the now rarely screened – but for many critics superior – silent version is shown in the Barbican Hall, accompanied by a full length score by British composer Neil Brand, conducted by Timothy Brock and performed live by the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

UK Premiere

Plus a post-concert discussion and Q&A with Neil Brand and Mark Kermode immediately after the concert in the hall.