This curated list of detective films set against the dramatic backdrop of cliffs offers a unique blend of mystery, suspense, and breathtaking scenery. These films not only provide thrilling plots but also showcase the stark beauty of cliffside settings, enhancing the tension and atmosphere of the detective work. Whether it's a secluded cliffside mansion or a perilous cliff edge, these locations add an extra layer of excitement to the narrative, making them a must-watch for fans of detective stories and scenic landscapes.

The 39 Steps (1935)
Description: Another Hitchcock masterpiece where a man is wrongly accused of murder and must solve the mystery, with scenes set on the cliffs of Scotland.
Fact: The film was remade several times, but the original remains the most iconic.


The Lady Vanishes (1938)
Description: While primarily a mystery, it involves a detective-like investigation into the disappearance of a woman on a train, with some scenes set near cliffs.
Fact: This film was one of Hitchcock's last British films before moving to Hollywood.


The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Description: Alfred Hitchcock's classic involves a couple caught in an international assassination plot, with key scenes set on the cliffs of Morocco.
Fact: This was Hitchcock's second adaptation of the same story, with the first in


The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)
Description: This classic adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel features Sherlock Holmes investigating a mysterious curse on the Baskerville family, set against the eerie backdrop of Dartmoor's cliffs and moors.
Fact: This film was one of the first to be shot in CinemaScope, enhancing the visual impact of the cliffside scenes.


The Edge (1997)
Description: Although more of a survival thriller, it involves a detective-like investigation into survival and human nature set against the backdrop of Alaskan cliffs.
Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life incident where a man survived a plane crash in the wilderness.


The Edge of Love (2008)
Description: Although not a traditional detective film, it involves personal investigations and secrets set against the backdrop of wartime London and Welsh cliffs.
Fact: The film features a fictionalized account of Dylan Thomas's life, with some scenes shot in Wales.


The Ghost Writer (2010)
Description: A ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister uncovers a web of political intrigue, with scenes set on the cliffs of Martha's Vineyard.
Fact: The film was shot on location in Massachusetts, with the cliffs providing a dramatic setting for the unfolding mystery.


The Woman in Black (2012)
Description: While not strictly a detective film, it involves a lawyer investigating a haunted house on the edge of a cliff, uncovering dark secrets and ghostly apparitions.
Fact: The film was shot in various locations in England, including the cliffs of Kent, to capture the eerie atmosphere.


The Sea Shall Not Have Them (1954)
Description: A wartime drama involving a search and rescue mission, with scenes set on the cliffs of Dover, where the mystery of survival unfolds.
Fact: The film was based on a novel by John Harris, who also wrote under the pseudonym 'Max Hennessy'.


The Cliffs of Insanity (1987)
Description: This lesser-known film involves a detective investigating a series of murders set on the cliffs of Cornwall, with a gothic atmosphere.
Fact: The film's title is a playful nod to the famous line from "The Princess Bride," though it's unrelated in plot.
