Review of Strangers on a Train (1951) by Daniel B — 20 Sep 2011
Just trying to work my way through the few films in the IMDB top 250 that I haven't already seen. This being one of the few Hitchcock films that I never got around to. The basic plot being two men meet on a train and one talks of a plan whereby they each kill someone for the other so as to take away the problem of motive from each case.
It is of course as polished a film as any of his greats are but I can't help feeling that the content was padded out somewhat in order to make the 1 hr 41 minute mark. First half of the film is suspenseful and intriguing, it's shot fantastically and the dialogue is spot on.
Second half loses pace a little but picks up for the big ending. Robert Walkers Anythony Bruno character is a very interesting one, not the most conventional of villains, but very strange, not quite right, compelling though and menacing.
I particular liked the long range shot of him in his suit when he is stalking Guy Haines, something very sinister in the way Hitchcock shoots such scenes. Maybe not quite up there with Psycho or Vertigo but Strangers on a train is still classic Hitchcock.
This review of Strangers on a Train (1951) was written by Daniel B on 20 Sep 2011.
Strangers on a Train has generally received very positive reviews.
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