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Strangers on a Train (1951) Reviews

Strangers on a Train (1951)
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In one of Alfred Hitchcock's suspense classics, tennis pro Guy Haines (Farley Granger) chances to meet wealthy wastrel Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker) on a train. Having read all about Guy, Bruno is aware that the tennis player is trapped in an unhappy marriage to to wife Miriam (Laura Elliott) and has been seen in the company of senator's daughter Ann Morton (Ruth Roman). Baiting Guy, Bruno reveals that he feels trapped by his hated father (Jonathan Hale). As Guy listens with detached amusement, Bruno discusses the theory of "exchange murders." Suppose that Bruno were to murder Guy's wife, and Guy in exchange were to kill Bruno's father? With no known link between the two men, the police would be none the wiser, would they? When he reaches his destination, Guy bids goodbye to Bruno, thinking nothing more of the affable but rather curious young man's homicidal theories. And then, Guy's wife turns up strangled to death. Co-adapted by Raymond Chandler from a novel by Patricia Highsmith, Strangers on a Train perfectly exemplifies Hitchcock's favorite theme of the evil that lurks just below the surface of everyday life and ordinary men. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Farley Granger, Robert Walker, (more)
Director(s):
Alfred Hitchcock
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(33 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Gayla I.

Strangers on a Train is another brilliant film from Alfred Hitchcock. It's one of his most entertaining and suspenseful films, and the climax is awesome.

Yes   |   No


Jeremy D.

This is certainly one of the greatest films of American ciema. It works very effectively as a thriller, but the story is much deeper and more complex than the average thriller. The story is so plausibly implausible that you are drawn right into it. The characters are all interesting, due to the strong performances. Robert Wagner hits his performance dead on. He plays the villinous character of Bruno more straightfoward than many other actors would. He doesn't overplay the characters's creepiness, which makes him all the more creepy. Hitch is so adroit at composing scenes and manipulating the audience. I highly enjoyed this film

Yes   |   No


Guy O.

A great story line , and great directing, make this a tense , suspenceful thriller. Great acting

Yes   |   No


Jeff H.

A classic.

Yes   |   No


Ted S.

Hitchock succesfully creates top level suspense and thrills once more.

Yes   |   No


Scott Z.

Every time I watch one of these old movies I'm amazed at just how BAD the acting is. It's like watching a high school play. The plot is interesting and Hitchcock does what he can with it, but the inability to suspend disbelief due to the bad acting made it impossible for me to really get into this movie. The way the plot played out was also unbelievable. Since when is it incumbent open a suspect to prove his innocence (vice the State proving him guilty)? I'm also glad to see the incredible disregard the police had for innocent civilians back then, firing indiscriminately into a crowd (of children, no less) in order to allow the plot to advance by accidentally shooting the guy running the merry-go-round at the end. Just plain laziness on the part of Hitchcock. I'm glad I finally saw this movie, but it's certainly no Psycho!

Yes   |   No


The Gary G.

I agree with others that there are so many obvious prop devices that we can't rate this among Hitchcock's best. The Bruno character is a bit too nuts to believe. Even in 1951, if a total stranger approaches you to commit a double murder, you go to the police. Still, some nice Hitchcock touches and quirky characters. And who was that guy with the big string bass?

Yes   |   No


Craig B.

Cool thriller! Somewhat like "Fatal Attraction", what starts out as something "simple" gets more and more complicated, evil, and dark. LOVE IT! Does Hitchcock really play the cello (hint: you'll know why I said that eventually)?

Yes   |   No


Stefanie S.

This movie was another classic. I loved the story line of Miriam having another man's baby and then going to the carnival with two different men - so risque for that time period. The ending was phenomonal. The scene with the carousel was so entertaining. Great special effects for 1951.

Yes   |   No


Glenn B.

...but it didn't meet my expectations. It's a really well made film (only the best direction from Hitchcock) and Bruno's character is suitably creepy and wacked, but the delivery is just sort of boring. And believe me, I have been wanting to see this for quite a while. The concept of strangers meeting and "reciprocal murders" is what got me. With Hitchcock, it's pretty much the same: intriguing stories, enthralling characters (Guy wasn't the best example in this area), heart-pounding moments, but ho-hum filler. Even in Vertigo (fave Hitchcock film; Jimmy Stewart is the bomb), this filler dragged the film. The carousel ending scene was really cool, though. This really needs a true remake. Not a reworking, like Throw Momma, but a remake. I'd love to see where they took it. B-

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (33)
     
    Gayla I.

    Strangers on a Train is another brilliant film from Alfred Hitchcock. It's one of his most entertaining and suspenseful films, and the climax is awesome.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Jeremy D.

    This is certainly one of the greatest films of American ciema. It works very effectively as a thriller, but the story is much deeper and more complex than the average thriller. The story is so plausibly implausible that you are drawn right into it. The characters are all interesting, due to the strong performances. Robert Wagner hits his performance dead on. He plays the villinous character of Bruno more straightfoward than many other actors would. He doesn't overplay the characters's creepiness, which makes him all the more creepy. Hitch is so adroit at composing scenes and manipulating the audience. I highly enjoyed this film

    Yes   |   No

     
    Guy O.

    A great story line , and great directing, make this a tense , suspenceful thriller. Great acting

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 33 Reviews
       

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