Rating of
3/4
*Sarah* - wrote on 12/29/08
One of Hitchcock's earlier American films, argubaly when some of his better films were made. Starnger's On A Train also starrs "Rope's" Farley Granger and " A Man From Uncle's Leo G Carroll". I've been waiting to se ethis for a long while and was lucky enough to catch it on BBC2 thsi afternoon. I have to admit this may be one of my favourites.
Stranger's on a train has, like most Hitchcok films an orginal plot, which still stands the test of time as it manges to still be orginal today in this post-modern era-where virtually evertthing is a copy of another. The cinematography was nominated for an oscar and rightly so, it does look great on screen and adds to the tense atmosphere that you are witnessing on screen. Some of the scenes within the film contain some fine examples of cinemtography..one which comes to mind is the one in which Guy's wife is murdered and the whole frame is darkened to show Bruno's menacning face. Just brilliant and classic Hitchcock!
The structure of the film is rather complecated but filled with symbolism and intention. The two personalities of Guy and Bruno are direct opposites for instance; Guy the modern man and Bruno a psycotic man who originally conjures up the plan. I love the way you belive that Guy is going to kill Bruno's father and the suspense is turned around at the end of the film. Just brilliant!
Acting is , as always in a HItchcock film, pretty good indeed. Robert Walker's Bruno Anthony is possibly one of my favourite villians on screen as it was just superb to watch, so menacing indeed. Farley Granger makes for a great modern man of that era and plays his character well.
There was also some interesting scenes which I just have to discuss. For instance the end scene in which Guy has to reach the place in which Miriam died before Bruno does. We see a comparison with Guy's tennis match and the train rushing to that place. This symbolises time and what the characters are trying to do which is doe very well indeed. I l also loved the shot where Guy is trying to get away from Bruno and we see Bruno standing far away"reminisent of Orson Welles in the superb " The Third Man"-which incidently is one of my favourite films.
Strangers On a Train may just be one of my favourite Hitchcock films but right at this moment I'm not sure. Be sure to check this one out to see one of his earlier films before he hit the big time with the likes of Vertigo and Psycho.
