Strangers on a Train

Strangers on a Train (1951) starring Farley Granger, Ruth Roman, Robert Walker. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Two men meet on a train and talk turns to what they have in common -- Guy (Granger) has a wife he wants to get rid of, and Bruno (Walker) wants his father dead. Bruno cooks up a scheme in which they will exchange murders; "crisscross" he calls it. Guy doesn't take him seriously, but Bruno soon follows through with his half of the "deal," and Guy feels trapped in the situation. There are several examples of brilliant cinematography in this movie, and the tension is palpable. The grand finale on a merry-go-round is a bit overdone, but basically the film is very entertaining. If you're a Hitchcock fan you've got to see this one. The DVD offers English subtitles and even better, closed captions. Grade: B+