Review of Strangers on a Train (1951) by Yasminandbell . — 07 Mar 2012

Alfred Hitchcock loved to plunge ordinary people into extraordinary situations culminating in feverish life or death climaxes, and Strangers On A Train is one of his finest efforts. This film is fantastically atmospheric with a palpable malevolence throughout. It also features unforgettable performances, particularly Robert Walker as Bruno Anthony, a character with a combination of indolence and menace as threatening as any villain ever. There are wonderful "trick" shots, like the much-discussed strangulation reflected in the glasses. The music, likewise for me, captures the film's aesthetic; its almost terrifying in places.

Strangers' centerpiece is the strange duality between Guy Haines and Bruno. Its important to note that Guy is innocent of actual murder but not the intent to murder. Even girlfriend Anne (Ruth Roman) is suspicious of Guy after their phone conversation. Bruno assumes a lot, and Guy is guilty of omission more than commission. Bruno is the dark, "other side" of Guy, the tennis star who "does things." Ironically it is Bruno who actually does things. They carry on an implicit homosexual courtship throughout.

Just a quick note on other actors/characters: Laura Elliot as Miriam and Hitchcock's daughter Patricia as Barbara Morton are better actors and more interesting than the more famous Ruth Roman. Roman looks the part of senator's daughter/girlfriend Anne Morton but is too wooden. She represents upper class decorum but is not sexy. The point is that she's got the morals and class that Guy's wife lacks, and this contrast works well in the film.

Strangers is well crafted at every level, and the suspense screams to a stunning climax where Bruno almost succeeds in pinning the blame on Guy before his brutal death. The destruction of the carousel in which Bruno dies and the truth is revealed may be my favorite Hitchcockian climax. (Norman Bates' mother is pretty good too!).