Review of Strangers on a Train (1951) by Ryan D — 11 Dec 2008
One of Hitchcock's nightmares was being accused of a crime he did not commit, supposedly stemming from when, as a child, his father asked the local policeman to lock him in a cell for the night to teach him a lesson.
As an adult making movies, Hitchcock directed several films about men on the run, 'North By Northwest' being the most famous of them, but I think 'Strangers on a Train' gives it a run for its money.
'Strangers' is much more dark and psychological... Farley Granger plays a young tennis star who is trying to divorce his wife... he happens to mention this during a rather uncomfortable encounter with someone on a train.
This someone, brilliantly played by Robert Walker (who tragically died shortly after the film's release) casually suggests they 'swap murders', i.e. he knocks off Granger's wife, and in return Granger takes care of Walker's uncaring father.
Granger is disturbed, and leaves the train, but soon afterwards he hears of his wife's death, and the blame is pinned on him. Hitchcock skilfully lays on the suspense and the tense atmosphere, culminating in one of the best endings in any of his films.
5 stars.
This review of Strangers on a Train (1951) was written by Ryan D on 11 Dec 2008.
Strangers on a Train has generally received very positive reviews.
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