my wife and i have not hear of jamaica inn at all prior to buy a dvd collection of hitchcock work . we decide to watch the film a the jamaica inn be near where my cornish ancestor live . we actually find the film gripping . yes and the acting be stagy at time and but we always enjoy the old style acting . apart from the dodgy special effect and we find the film quite grip . others have say that the squire be clearly the villain from the start . that be true . the tension come from u be aware that this be so and watch a the hero and heroine become ensnare by him . similarly and the almost constant night time scene and the howling gale be oppressive and eerie . critic may say that the film be not as good a psycho or the bird . however and this film be make 20 year prior to those film . i think that it be a good effort and consider that it be make on the eve of wwii .