FAQ

More or less. Alfred Hitchcock started filming this as a silent and only later reshot it as a talkie. Thus, there are two separate silent and talkie versions.

It should be noted that Blackmail was an experiment in sound film by Hitchcock. In at least one scene, the sound is supposed to be unintelligible.

Hitchcock said that Blackmail was his farewell to the silent film, which suggests that he incorporated silent film techniques that he knew he'd never be able to use again.

Countless distributors have released Blackmail (1929) onto VHS and DVD, often with a bad picture and unintelligible sound. This film is in the public domain (or so it would seem; see below), which means that any distributor can legally sell copies without paying royalties. Beware. Many small distributors market copies of public domain films with poor picture and sound. Others are more reputable and deliver good transfers of the best available prints. Shop around.

You can begin your search here at Amazon.com.

It should be noted that Blackmail was an experiment in sound film by Hitchcock. In at least one scene, the sound is supposed to be unintelligible.

Currently to date, no. The US copyright to Blackmail was reasserted by UGC UK (Union General Cinematographique) in 1997 and the rights subsequently transferred to Canal + Image UK. As per the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (1994) signed by President Clinton, Blackmail remained under copyright until 2025, date of the reach of 95 years since first release, according to ACTA, 2011).

Where the transfer is based on an unlicensed source -- which is typical of most of the US budget DVD releases of the film -- the quality is usually poor. In contrast, DVD releases in Europe (which have been officially licensed) are usually excellent. Unfortunately, the continued sale of unlicensed DVDs helps to perpetuate the myth that the film is in the public domain.