Strangers on a Train (1951)
Before there was thriller there was Hitchcock.
Presentation:
2 strangers meet on a train to potentially plan the perfect murders for each other. What a fantastic concept, though the film doesn’t exactly go as advertised. The film has noir aesthetics and is beautifully shot with deep aperture and cinematic framing with the use of dramatic zooms and transition effects. Despite being relatively earlier in Hitchcock’s career, the film is surprisingly well organized and put together. The characters are all well chosen and the story is fine, but the climax ends up being disappointing. This is a film that could be remade and improved upon with perhaps a better twist.
Conclusion:
Up until the final arc, the film was pure cinema. The suspense is no different than something presented today and manages to satisfy you all the same. Hitchcock creates popcorn flick thrillers and the spectacle of amusement parks is thematically fitting for his work. Were he to stick the landing, this might be a perfect film, Nevertheless it’s an essential watch from one of the all time greats.
Recommendations
Before there was thriller there was Hitchcock.