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Strangers On A Train was, for Hitchcock, a breakout film. At least some say it was, and evidently Hitchcock worked on it as if it would be one. The problem was, after such great films as Shadow of A Doubt, Spellbound and Notorious, he hit what many feel was a slump. During the apparent low point of this part of his career, he directed The Paradine Case, the innovatively filmed Rope, Under Capricorn, and Stage Fright. Frankly, the critics—and his audience—weren’t enthralled. The movie opens on a train with a shot of two pairs of feet. The camera follows those feet around the station and back on the train and finally we see they belong to Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker) and the famous tennis player, Guy Haines (Farley Granger). Anthony recognized Haines and the two talk for several minutes. During their conversation, we get the impression that Bruno isn’t normal. Guy is estranged from his wife—who won’t give him a divorce—and Bruno wants to kill his father. Before the train stops, he has suggested to Guy that the two “trade” murders. Because the two were only “strangers on a train”, Bruno suggests that if they trade murders, no one would ever guess. Guy laughs it off. But later, we watch as Bruno strangles Guy’s wife at an amusement park. The shot is fantastic. It belongs at the top with such famous shots as the stabbing in Psycho and the silent killing in Sabotage. Guy gets in hot water when he’s accused of the murder and continually followed by Bruno. Bruno confronts him several times and wants Guy to kill his father. The movie ends in a grand finale at the carnival/amusement park. This unassuming movie was clearly a breakout for Hitchcock. It brought him back into his comfortable genre. But it didn’t happen on its own. Hitch worked carefully on this movie as evidenced in the multiple layers. And that’s only the beginning. Robert Walker, who had previously been playing American adventure-hero type roles, made the best performance of his career in a role reversal. His superb acting makes Bruno almost as scary as Norman Bates of Psycho. While Farley Granger seems a little too hostile, at times, for this part, he did a good job. Even Pat Hitchcock, who played a substantial role as the sister of Guy’s lover, did great. A stellar movie well worth watching.Read full review
I love anything Alfred Hitchcock and I think Robert Walker was a mighty fine actor. Walker's performance in this movie is captivating, thrilling and spine tingling. Walker's portrayal of deranged psychopath "Bruno" is one of his best performances. I had first seen this movie on TV a few years back and just had to own a copy so when I saw a great deal on a new DVD of this movie....I just had to place a bid!!!!
Two versions of an excellent movie: the American theater version and the more extensive British version. An excellent choice for a Hitchcock fan.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This movie is filled with irony and suspense as only Hitchcock can create. It is worth watching over and over.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Our parents always teach us never to talk to strangers, I guess that goes for adults too!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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