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Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9786305076179 Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, HiFi Sound, NTSC ISBN: 6305076170 Label: Warner Home Video Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Warner Home Video Release Date: March 28, 1995 Running Time: 101 minutes Sales Rank: 15461 Studio: Warner Home Video Theatrical Release Date: July 03, 1951
Amazon.com essential video: From its cleverly choreographed opening sequence to its heart-stopping climax on a rampant carousel, this 1951 Hitchcock classic readily earns its reputation as one of the director's finest examples of timeless cinematic suspense. It's not just a ripping-good thriller but a film student's delight and a perversely enjoyable battle of wits between tennis pro Guy (Farley Granger) and his mysterious, sycophantic admirer, Bruno (Robert Walker), who proposes a "criss-cross" scheme of traded murders. Bruno agrees to kill Guy's unfaithful wife, in return for which Guy will (or so it seems) kill Bruno's spiteful father. With an emphasis on narrative and visual strategy, Hitchcock controls the escalating tension with a master's flair for cinematic design, and the plot (coscripted by Raymond Chandler) is so tightly constructed that you'll be white-knuckled even after multiple viewings. Better still, the two-sided DVD edition of this enduring classic includes both the original version of the film and also the longer prerelease British print, which offers a more overt depiction of Bruno's flamboyant and dangerous personality, and his homoerotic attraction to Guy by way of his deviously indecent proposal. In accordance with the cautious censorship guidelines of the period, Hitchcock would later tame these elements of Walker's memorable performance by trimming and altering certain scenes, so the differences between the original and prerelease versions provide an illuminating illustration of censorship's effect on the story's thematic intensity. Beyond all the historical footnotes and film-buff fascination, Strangers on a Train remains one of Hitchcock's crowning achievements and a suspenseful classic that never loses its capacity to thrill and delight. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - The follies of censorship...
I'm going to yell SPOILERS right off the bat, just in case anyone deems my breakdown of this film to be ruining the surprise for anyone.
I want to say that when I first saw this movie I really loved it; in fact it was my favorite Hitchcock film at the time. I thought that it was suspenseful and chilling and hit all the right notes. Sadly, I was so enthralled with the film that I decided to seek out the novel, written by Patricia Highsmith. Once I read the novel my opinion of the film was drastically altered and I had to watch the film yet again. The second viewing was far inferior ... Read More
Rating: - My Favorite From Hitch
'Strangers on a Train', in my opinion, is the quintessential Hitchcock film-perfect acting, music, visuals and pacing. It is also one of the first films where I found myself rooting for the bad guy (and dreading his truly creepy mother and their even weirder relationship). Even the opening scene, where Hitchcock puts the focus on the two main characters shoes, is poignant and clever. I've also often wondered how he was able to shoot the final scene on the merry-go-round, it is simply pure movie magic. Highly recommended to any film fan.
Rating: - Overlooked
Strangers On A Train, the 1951 black and white film by Alfred Hitchcock, is a damned good movie- with many of the requisite Hitchcockian flourishes, but it is not a great film, despite many great aspects about it. The reason for this devolves down to one basic fact- it's merely a melodrama, not a true drama. Melodrama always depends upon the propulsion of the plot by the characters within doing the dumbest possible things to get to the next scene. Melodrama thrives on the lowest common denominator. This, of course, does not lessen the enjoyability of the melodrama- be it Hollywood film, soap opera, ... Read More
Rating: - Classic Hitchcock and classic suspense
STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, starring Farley Granger, is a top-notch suspense thriller of the old school. The plot setup may seem formulaic, but this was made in a time when (for the most part) only the best formulas were used. A seemingly accidental meeting occurs on a train between a famous tennis champion and his deranged fan who happens to know a little too much about his personal life. During the course of their conversations murder comes up and soon blackmail and manipulation ensue. The plot builds with suspense at every possible twist and turn. The characters are intriguing and never dull. One ... Read More
Rating: - Recommend seller!
The dvd is in excellent condition. Fast delivery - it arrived before the due date. Ecstatic about this purchase. Thanks for the great service.
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