To my great shame, this is maybe only the third Hitchcock film that I’ve ever seen (after “The Lady Vanishes” & “Psycho” ). “Strangers on a Train” is a film I’ve always wanted to see but somehow never got around to. The film’s central conceit, that of two strangers meeting and appearing to swap murders, is almost revolutionary in its neatness and simplicity. As a fan of the crime/thriller genre, it is also a type that I have seen before, but I dare-say this is the original and the best. The fact that the ‘deal’ is so one-sided only adds to the layers of fun and chaos.
In fact, the films central partnership is the main point of fascination. The two men at heart are of two opposite archetypes. Bruno, the effete and wealthy playboy with definite sociopathic tendencies; Guy the smoothly handsome, physically perfect professional tennis playing society up and comer. The one is dark and dishonest, whilst appearing light and friendly. The other is defined by smooth socially capable arrogance. He is well capable of physical confrontation, even against his play-away soon to be ex-wife. Later though as the action heats up and his need to stop Bruno from framing him for Joyce’s murder, Guy turns into the almost archetypal romantic hero.
The source of that romance is not always clear. Is it Anne his soon to be fiancee? Or is it really a repressed desire to confront Bruno? As with other Patricia Highsmith productions the latent note of underlying homosexuality is never really far away. And in some ways, Guy and Bruno make the perfect match. They are physical and emotional opposites attracting. Bruno’s effete and slightly feminine persona would in another context, the rom-com for example, be an ideal contrast to pair with Guy’s strong model-like athleticism and country club social standing.
Overall though this is a film that resonates well because of the psychic trauma it explores. Guy is in need of a divorce, and his philandering wife has become pregnant by another (anonymous) man. Bruno’s decision to kill her and therefore try to effect Guy into killing his father, has untold effects on all concerned. Guy has to deal with his guilt, and possible relief that he will now be able to marry Anne, as well as the fact that he alone has knowledge of Bruno’s crime.
Even so, it is Bruno for whom guilt has the most effect. Bruno has proposed the crime. It is he that targets Guy on the train and makes the proposal. He is the most motivated. The effect of his act, in strangling Joyce at the fairground, has terrible psychological affect. He envisions his strangling again and again, and later on, as demonstrating his technique to strangle, he sees Anne’s sister Barbara and has flash-back to the act he has done. On death at the fairground, he has held on to his illusion of planting Guys lighter, but his relaxed face and almost content smile, bely that perhaps he is relieved at his end.
And as one point of finale say, this is a film that also has some tragic history. Robert Powell, who played Bruno delivered a huge performance, almost devouring the screen. Coming out on top even against the well cast Farley Granger as Guy. Like Bruno he was also a man plagued by demons. Heartbroken at an impending divorce, as well as alcoholism, his life spiralled. Just months after the films release, in August 1951, he died. A massive consumption of barbiturates and alcohol led to an untimely demise at the age of just thirty-two.
Even though it’s one of my favorite Hitchcock films, I gave it 9/10, partly because I sent my rating in at the same time as that for La isla minima, which I find slightly better since SoaT leaves me a bit emotionally detached. In some ways it’s not unlike Citizen Kane, another well-acted and shot movie that also doesn’t involve you that much emotionally. Part of the reasons are the acting, which is more suited to a stage play, and the dialogue, which has the artifice of noir. Like in many noirs, the focus is on the relationship between men; Guy and his dark Doppelgänger Bruno. Like in Gilda the women are almost decorations to the central quasi-homoerotic relationship of the male leads; Bruno is definitely trying to seduce Guy and Robert Powell would have gotten an Oscar for his performance in later years.
Really stunning direction with superbe setpieces like the murder reflected in Patricia Hitchcock’s glasses and of course the brilliant carousel climax. The Doppelgänger theme is signposted throughout the movie, most beautifully when a black-clad Bruno stands on the white steps of one of DC’s memorials on his way to seeing Guy play tennis in white; nice scene there too when the spectators’ faces follow the ball while Bruno keeps staring at guy.
I first saw the film in my Film crit class in college and it was such a favorite that my best friend who was taking the class with me gave me a tie clasp with my name in the same style lettering as the one Bruno wears! Probably I should change this to 10/10!
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To my great shame, this is maybe only the third Hitchcock film that I’ve ever seen (after “The Lady Vanishes” & “Psycho” ). “Strangers on a Train” is a film I’ve always wanted to see but somehow never got around to. The film’s central conceit, that of two strangers meeting and appearing to swap murders, is almost revolutionary in its neatness and simplicity. As a fan of the crime/thriller genre, it is also a type that I have seen before, but I dare-say this is the original and the best. The fact that the ‘deal’ is so one-sided only adds to the layers of fun and chaos.
In fact, the films central partnership is the main point of fascination. The two men at heart are of two opposite archetypes. Bruno, the effete and wealthy playboy with definite sociopathic tendencies; Guy the smoothly handsome, physically perfect professional tennis playing society up and comer. The one is dark and dishonest, whilst appearing light and friendly. The other is defined by smooth socially capable arrogance. He is well capable of physical confrontation, even against his play-away soon to be ex-wife. Later though as the action heats up and his need to stop Bruno from framing him for Joyce’s murder, Guy turns into the almost archetypal romantic hero.
The source of that romance is not always clear. Is it Anne his soon to be fiancee? Or is it really a repressed desire to confront Bruno? As with other Patricia Highsmith productions the latent note of underlying homosexuality is never really far away. And in some ways, Guy and Bruno make the perfect match. They are physical and emotional opposites attracting. Bruno’s effete and slightly feminine persona would in another context, the rom-com for example, be an ideal contrast to pair with Guy’s strong model-like athleticism and country club social standing.
Overall though this is a film that resonates well because of the psychic trauma it explores. Guy is in need of a divorce, and his philandering wife has become pregnant by another (anonymous) man. Bruno’s decision to kill her and therefore try to effect Guy into killing his father, has untold effects on all concerned. Guy has to deal with his guilt, and possible relief that he will now be able to marry Anne, as well as the fact that he alone has knowledge of Bruno’s crime.
Even so, it is Bruno for whom guilt has the most effect. Bruno has proposed the crime. It is he that targets Guy on the train and makes the proposal. He is the most motivated. The effect of his act, in strangling Joyce at the fairground, has terrible psychological affect. He envisions his strangling again and again, and later on, as demonstrating his technique to strangle, he sees Anne’s sister Barbara and has flash-back to the act he has done. On death at the fairground, he has held on to his illusion of planting Guys lighter, but his relaxed face and almost content smile, bely that perhaps he is relieved at his end.
And as one point of finale say, this is a film that also has some tragic history. Robert Powell, who played Bruno delivered a huge performance, almost devouring the screen. Coming out on top even against the well cast Farley Granger as Guy. Like Bruno he was also a man plagued by demons. Heartbroken at an impending divorce, as well as alcoholism, his life spiralled. Just months after the films release, in August 1951, he died. A massive consumption of barbiturates and alcohol led to an untimely demise at the age of just thirty-two.
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Please could you re-post on the article here: https://oasisoffear.wordpress.com/2020/04/01/ifg-10-strangers-on-a-train-alfred-hitchcock-1951/
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Will do!
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Even though it’s one of my favorite Hitchcock films, I gave it 9/10, partly because I sent my rating in at the same time as that for La isla minima, which I find slightly better since SoaT leaves me a bit emotionally detached. In some ways it’s not unlike Citizen Kane, another well-acted and shot movie that also doesn’t involve you that much emotionally. Part of the reasons are the acting, which is more suited to a stage play, and the dialogue, which has the artifice of noir. Like in many noirs, the focus is on the relationship between men; Guy and his dark Doppelgänger Bruno. Like in Gilda the women are almost decorations to the central quasi-homoerotic relationship of the male leads; Bruno is definitely trying to seduce Guy and Robert Powell would have gotten an Oscar for his performance in later years.
Really stunning direction with superbe setpieces like the murder reflected in Patricia Hitchcock’s glasses and of course the brilliant carousel climax. The Doppelgänger theme is signposted throughout the movie, most beautifully when a black-clad Bruno stands on the white steps of one of DC’s memorials on his way to seeing Guy play tennis in white; nice scene there too when the spectators’ faces follow the ball while Bruno keeps staring at guy.
I first saw the film in my Film crit class in college and it was such a favorite that my best friend who was taking the class with me gave me a tie clasp with my name in the same style lettering as the one Bruno wears! Probably I should change this to 10/10!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Please could you repost on the artile here: https://oasisoffear.wordpress.com/2020/04/01/ifg-10-strangers-on-a-train-alfred-hitchcock-1951/
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System is telling me I’ve already posted it but it’s only showing up on previous article; maybe it’s in the spam bin? Thx
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It was – sorry about that. It has now been released!
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Thx!
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Just admit it you are heeding the demand to put me under “permanent moderation”.
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There have been many requests, but I will now bow to pressure!
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