The Manxman

The Manxman is a 1928 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Based on a romantic novel by Hall Caine, he began work on the film just two weeks after the birth of his daughter, Patricia Hitchcock. It was the last silent film he directed before he made the transition to sound.

The Plot

The film tells the story of two childhood friends, a poor fisherman Pete Christian, played by Carl Brisson, and a lawyer Philip Quillian, played by Malcolm Keen. Pete is in love with Kate (played by Anny Ondra), but when her father, Old Caesar (Randie Ayrton) turns down his proposal to marry Kate, Pete sets off to Africa to make is fortune, asking Phil to take care of Pete until he returns.

In his absence, Kate and Phil fall in love, and when news reaches them that Pete was killed, they begin planning their lives together, as Phil prepares to assume the position of Deemster, the island's chief magistrate. The news about Pete is false, however, and he returns to the island a wealthy man. Old Caesar agrees to let Kate marry him, and neither she nor Philip have it in themselves to break Pete's heart. As the wedding party proceeds in an old mill, Old Caesar gives a stern warning to the newlyweds to remember how serious the vows of marriage are.

Pete is infatuated with Kate, who is still in love with Philip. Shortly after a daughter is born, she decides to leave Pete, leaving him both the child and a note saying that she loved another man. Meanwhile Philip is about to become the Deemster and is unwilling to give up his career for Kate. Frustrated, she returns to Pete to take the baby, telling him that he is not the father, but he refuses to believe her or hand the child over. Distraught, Kate leaves the home and attempts to commit suicide by throwing herself off the quaym, a crime on the Isle of Man.

Kate is brought to trial on the first day that Philip serves as Deemster. He is reluctant to sentence her, and when Pete appears in the courtroom to plead for his wife, he agrees to hand her over to him. Kate refuses to go, and Old Caesar, who is watching, gets up and condemns Philip for being the "other man" in the love triangle. Philip admits this from the bench and leaves the court.

In the final scene, Philip and Kate prepare to leave the Isle of Man and come to Pete's house to pick up the baby. In a shot reminiscent of the theater, Kate picks up the child, will Philip and Pete stand at opposite ends of the room. She brings the child over to Pete to say one last goodbye, and he breaks down, having lost everything. Finally, Philip and Kate leave the cottage to the jeers of the villagers, who had been watching the scene.

Summary

Though never considered one of his better films, the melodramatic Manxman is remembered for its stunning scenery, shot on location in Cornwall, which doubled for the Isle of Man.