STRANGERS ON A TRAIN [1951] review

It’s no secret that Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors (if not the favorite). About 6 or so years ago I really discovered his films. And after watching STRANGERS ON A TRAIN tonight, it becomes more apparent what pale shadows many movies are today compared to it (see some of my recent movie reviews). STRANGERS, like most of Hitchcock’s movies is almost all devoid of any kind of things we’d consider special effects today, or stylized cinematography. Yet the movie is full of style. … The low camera angles, the use of light and shadow to advance the plot, the moments of chance that come to mean so much, and the climax involving several characters and plot points all coming to one singular, tight, ingenious end.

The dialogue and cramped setting of a 1950’s train draws the viewer immediately into the story, and sets the tone for the whole film. Why does a man who doesn’t really smoke have such a special lighter on his person? It being left behind is the first moment of chance that will later play much greater in the story. Then their are small moments that establish character, like the antagonist being held-up at toy gunpoint by a small boy carrying a balloon and said antagonist turning and popping the balloon with his cigarette. Funny, scary, and I believe there is even some revenge meted out by the boy later if I’m not mistaken.

The acting is top notch by everyone, even though some characters seemed a little too British to be a U.S. senator. … Great establishing shots, like the camera mounted on the front of a train following the switching of tracks before actually showing a scene on the fateful train. The editing of the antagonist first following the ill-fated woman in glasses.

What I believed would happen was wrong, and because I used a modern movie watching mind. I expected violence, and not saying there wasn’t, just not how and whom I thought. … You can find it in movies thee days, but maybe it’s just easier to reach for one of Hitchcock’s titles on the shelf.

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