Strangers on a Train

Rating:
Summary: Don't talk to strangers!
Review: Farley Granger appeared in only two Hitchcock films. He was the nerve racked killer in Rope who ended up not being able to handle the reality of his crime and gave up in the end, and he is the ill-fated tennis star who happens upon a total stranger during a train ride in this film, Strangers on a Train. Too bad. Granger is talented in this role, evoking sympathy from the audience even when he was guilty as sin in Rope. In this movie, it's hard to really blame him for the events that transpire.

Two men meet and strike up a conversation based on Bruno's (Robert Walker in a chilling performance) ability to recognize Guy Haines (Granger) from the tennis court. During the conversation, it is discovered that Bruno hates his father and wants him dead, and that Guy has a wife who is causing trouble for him. Guy wants to marry the daughter of a senator, but needs his current wife out of the picture.

Bruno has the answer. We swap murders, and then there is no motive. Guy laughs it off, but he stops laughing quick when Bruno actually kills Guy's wife and expects him to murder his father in return. By the way, the murder of the wife is some of Hitch's best camera work ever, as he shows the choking in the reflection of the woman's eyeglasses.

Guy has no credible alibi, so he is suspect number one. Bruno keeps on him the whole time, threatening to frame him (Bruno has Guy's lighter that he can plant at the scene), so it becomes a race for Guy to prove his innocence. The scene on the merry go round is a classic, even if a bit unrealistic.

The characters are great, the story strong and the direction superb. You simply can't go wrong with this one. The great suspense films of today owe a debt of gratitude to Strangers on a Train.

Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT!!
Review: Excellent suspense movie about innocent-looking tennis player Guy Haines (Farley Granger), involved in a murder against his own will, by an eccentric, over-the-top character played masterfully by great american actor (by then, Jennifer Jones' ex-husband) Robert Walker.

Hitchcock builds the film into a great final climax, holding your complete attention from the very start of the story, at the train station.

Good acting by the leading couple, Farley Granger and Ruth Roman (playing his sweetheart and bride-to-be, after the divorce from his obnoxious wife). Excellent performances by the aforementioned Walker as Bruno Antony, Patricia Hitchcok (as Roman's sister, who has a liking for criminal stories), Kasey Rogers (as Granger's wife) and Marion Lorne (as Bruno Antony's mother).

The fact that the DVD contains the original US and UK versions, the latter two minutes longer, is a must. Especially noticing the trimming that underwent the initial scenes between Walker and Granger in the american version, and the final "happy ending" scene added for the same version.

Fans of '60s TV series "Bewitched", will have a field day watching "Aunt Clara" (Marion Lorne) as the over-indulging mother of spoiled and egotistical Bruno Antony and "Louise Tate" (Kasey Rogers, billed as Laura Elliott) who plays over-sexed and amoral Miriam, Guy Haines' wife.

Rating:
Summary: Save your money, restored version coming
Review: While this is a brilliant film, don't spend your money on this disc unless you absolutely have to have the film right now. Warner Bros has announced in a chat at hometheaterforum.com that a restored version of the film will be released to DVD soon

Rating:
Summary: The best of Hitchcock's american films
Review: One remarkable, bizarre and malicious thriller suspense, this script reminds us that sometimes the guilty are innocent and the innocent are guilty, is characteristically noir, but more specifically Hitchcock's world, a world in which no one, it seems can escape blame - not even the audience. (Remember another film of A.H. that deals with a similar question , the underrated but admirable "The wrong man", possibly the darkest film of this film maker). And that's one one of the many virtues of A.H. as director.
Since the beginning , (you know as well like me), that the champion tennis Guy (another Hitchcok's irony) Haines is not a model of virtue (The same occurs with another two films, like Grace Kelly in Dial M for Murder , and Janet Leigh in Psycho; both of them commit adultery and Leigh also is a thief) and Bruno who's just very clear about his human condition and seems not having problem with that (in a stunning performance of Robert Walker; maybe the best of his career) , like a devil's messenger , proposes an unusual arrangement: a criss cross murders.
Obviously, the villain materializes his part in the arrangement (giving his gentleman's word) (another thrown glow to audience from Hitchcock) , but our inmature Guy seems to get on the line with the ethics?, less by conviction than by fear (another Hitchcock's cynical rapture).
Watch this film. Since I did it (in 1972) I was sure this picture was among the five best of him and it made me glad to know that the well known video guide entitled Facets stated that Strangers for their criterion, was the best film of that year, evem above "From here to the eternity". A syncronization or a happy coincidence?
Remade as "Once you kiss a stranger" and clear inspiration for Danny de Vito in "Throw moma from the train".
Remember: the DVD contains two versions ; the american and the english; I'd rather the last one.

Rating:
Summary: Good.
Review: 'Starngers on a Train' is yet another fantasic mystery from Alfred Hitchcock. Although I don't remember the storyline too much, I remember liking it enough to give it a four-star review.

Rating:
Summary: Could be Hitch's finest creation.
Review: Has aged really well - still thrilling and suspenseful today. Certainly one of Hitch's best movies. Beautifully shot, with a great premise for suspense, sex-appeal provided by beautiful Ruth Roman. Because of the great premise, you feel like you have to watch it to the end. If you find yourself losing faith in Hitch and doubting his title as the Master of Suspense, i recommend this nice little movie as an antidote. 5 out of 5.

P.S, this DVD version includes versions with the American ending and the British ending, neither of which i'll spoil for you - but you'll be able to pick which you like better.

Rating:
Summary: Strangely, quite lame
Review: Robert Walker's performance as Bruno Anthony is marvelous and makes the movie worth watching - but that is the only thing positive about this mess of movie.

Some details are just plain forced - such as anything to do with the ornate cigarette lighter that the tennis star originally has with him (even though he "doesn't smoke much".) This lighter plays a pivotal role throughout the movie.

Much of the dialog is bad, particulary the various police detectives and the police chief - and most people have English accents (it takes place in America).

The announcer at the tennis game is so bad he is funny, as is the exaggerated way the crowd watches the game - although I appreciate the effect.

Finally, although I could forgive some of the silliness, the final scene at the amusement park was so ludicrous as to make this movie an unintentional laugher.

Nice thing about the DVD is it has both the US version and UK version. Not a lot of difference, although the absolute final scene that is in the American version makes it a bit better.

Sorry, Hitch, although there were minor moments and a few great shots, to have this movie as #85 or whatever in IMDB's top movies is unrealist.

I own 4 other AH movies, but this one will get sold cheap.

Rating:
Summary: Spooky!
Review: A very, very good movie. What makes it so good is the utter credibility of Guy's actions and responses to Bruno's unrelenting push to have him kill his father. The scene at the cocktail party gave me the creeps, and I feel the same each time I see it. That is probably the definition of an exceptional work, that you never tire of it, and that it always tugs at you one way or another.

Rating:
Summary: Criss-Cross
Review: This review refers to the Warner Bros. DVD edition of "Strangers On a Train".....

Had I only been reviewing the film alone, there is no doubt I would go 5 stars for this great film. Five stars hardly covers it for this cinematic work of art, that defines the genius of Alfred Hitchcock. But alas, the transfer to DVD will be a big disapointment to Hitch fans, as it was not given the attention this treasure deserved.

First the story... Even if you didn't know this was a Hitch film, you will immediatley recognize this as a work from the master of suspense. All the tell-tale trademarks are there. As the film opens, the camera work brillantly shows everything in pairs. Two pairs of shoes, from what are obviously two very different styles of dress,two pairs of railroad tracks criss-crossing, and finally the two very different men that fill the shoes... have a chance meeting. Guy Haines,professional tennis player and an upright kind of guy, and Bruno Antony, a mysterious,slick fellow have a conversation. Guy, it seems has an unfaithful wife, who won't divorce him, so he can be with the woman he loves. Bruno has a deep resentment for his father.It is then we learn how really psychotic Bruno is. His idea...a "Criss-Cross"."I'll do your murder"..he tells Guy "and you do mine".Guy sluffs off this very chilling notion, but soon learns that Bruno is not going to let it go. Soon Guy finds himself as a murder suspect and must prove his innocence.

The story, with the screenplay by Raymond Chandler and Czenzi Ormonde, is suspensed filled and as in all Hitchcock films, we feel the need to warn the hero, but can only sit and watch with our hearts in our throats.The shadows, light, and expert camera work all add to the thrill of it all.Hitch as usual picks the perfect cast. Farley Granger as Guy has you in his corner all the way. Robert Walker couldn't be any more chilling. Rounding out the cast with wonderful performances are Ruth Roman, Patricia Hitchcock, Leo G Carroll, who appears in many of Hitch's films and always immaculate, and for a real treat look for Marion Lorne, the beloved 'Aunt Clara" from "Bewitched".The music by Dimitri Tiomkin is masterfully chilling as well.

Looking for Hitch....You won't have to wait long..about ten minutes in..more double trouble as Hitch boards a train with his 'double' bass fiddle.

Now for the DVD transfer. There's good news and bad news. The good news is that this disc contains the recently discovered British pre-release. This version has been edited differently in some places as Hitch felt certain scenes would play better in England, and some better in the states.You'll find some production notes included explaining the reasons. There is also an old publicity newsreel of Hitch promoting his film, and although there is no sound it is still fun to watch. There are subtitles in English, French and Spanish, and may be viewed in French as well.The bad news..as mentioned above the transfer itself. The black and white images, seemed dingy. Jump to almost any scene and you will see signs of age. It is scratchy and grainey. The sound is in DD1.0. Some enhancement would be a welcome addition(we want to hear every sound that Hitch intended).It really pains me to go three stars for this treasure..but I can only recommend the film and not the DVD.

This was a pretty intense film way back in 1951 and still is today! Unless you are as crazy for Hitch as I am(and feel an intense need to have everything every filmed by him), you may want to wait and hope for a better release(Warner Bros..are you listening?).If by some chance, you have not seen it though, and love a great film-noir..rent it, borrow it, do whatever it takes to see this classic.

It's a geat ride....Laurie

Rating:
Summary: Classic Hitchcock!!! Need I say more?
Review: This film is definately one of Hitchcock's best!!! And his best list is very,very long!!! This DVD is a real treat!!! You get two complete versions of this classic!!!(American and British versions)One on each side of the DVD!!! Although the difference of the two versions is minimal,it's ultra cool to have both version nonetheless!!! And the picture and sound quality are top notch!!! A true classic!!! Five Stars!!! A+