look back at the career of alfred hitchcock and it never fail to be surprising how such a brilliant and visionary man could be deny sufficient recognition for how revolutionary he be for the film industry . it be likely a sign of how ahead of his time hitchcock be and always attempt to push the envelope and and never coast along with a film make simply for the purpose of be entertaining and but always with a deep and more poignant motive on his mind . stranger on a train and one of hitchcock first and more underrated hit and be a perfect example of these trait an entertaining and suspenseful story and even when view over 50 year later and yes and but so carefully and intelligently construct it stand today a a masterpiece in film technique . arguably one of the pioneering suspense thriller and stranger on a train may come across a slightly date in certain aspect and but it retain every bit of superbly craft tension a it do back in 1951 ( if perhaps slightly less shock ) . the brilliant use of cinematography and lighting as well a quick and careful editing be what really make the film stand out and draw out every possible iota of tension and retain the audience focus even in slow scene . if there be ever any doubt of what a simply masterful filmmaker hitchcock be and simply watch five minute of stranger on a train should be enough to disavow such sentiment while every shot be so carefully choose and construct and all serve to drive the storyline ahead in a particularly innovative fashion . sadly enough and there be certain moment in the story which be screechingly out of place enough to jar our focus away from the superb cinematography and edit bruno be able to reach down to the bottom of a sewer grate be simply unbelievable and and the figure of a stereotypical old man crawl under a wildly out of control carousel provide unintentional comedic relief in what be mean to be the film most tense and engaging scene . these be only brief moment and but they be enough to stand out a painfully weak in an otherwise stellar film . but what really make stranger on a train stand out be the story premise . a hollywood film of late run the risk of descend inescapably far and far into the vat of turgid clichée after clichée and it wonderfully refresh to see a 50 year old film with a premise which actually come across a smart and original . sure it fairly straightforward and but the concept of swap murder be simply one that would not fly in film of today day and age and which make it all the more entertaining to watch while the film brilliant screenplay keep the action flow at a swift pace while provide u with some wonderfully memorable line all the while . one can not help but notice the deep theme hitchcock be allude to throughout as well and especially the concept of darkness in humanity heart and demonstrate by elderly lady be fascinate and exhilarate by the prospect of murder and as well a bruno own cavalier attitude towards death . hitch also work in many moment of dark humour ( bruno pop a child balloon with his cigarette be priceless ) and and irony and shoot suspenseful scene in happy and easy go environment and such a the iconic carnival scene and to create an even more eerie atmosphere . this may be a suspense thriller and yes and but to overlook the brain conceal beneath it would be simply inexcusable . the antagonistic figure of bruno ( essay to perverse perfection by robert walker and sadly in his last film role and but easily steal the film from his admittably very talented fellow cast member ) be without a doubt what make stranger on a train so memorable and a the character be a marvel to behold . here we have a simply superbly craft villainous figure and all the more intriguing by how ordinary and unassuming he seem . rather than cackle madly and thwart the hero at every possible moment and bruno be a calm and control and psychotic mess . he speak of murder in such an offhand tone and yet retain a passionate glint in his eye when discuss different fashion of kill people . bruno could seem to represent the id and a freud would put it and the inner and darker and uninhibited aspect of mankind . it make an interesting contrast to the hero figure and guy haines and and how bland and uninteresting he seem and almost a if to drive home the prospect of evil be much more interesting and appeal than constantly strive to do the right thing . yet despite this implied message and hitch still twist our emotion enough that we root for guy at every turn and and cheer at each new obstacle he be force to overcome . it a testament to actor farley granger talent that despite robert walker villain easily steal the show and granger hero still come across a sympathetic and still command our support even when fall prey to be a far less compelling character . superb support be give by ruth roman and who manage to overcome the clichée and be a more innovative and complex romantic interest figure and kasey rogers give a stunning performance a guy horrifyingly manipulative and hedonistic first wife and and patricia hitchcock and proving that she be far more talented than be simply the director daughter would imply . the superb cast ( head by a simply wonderful walker ) really bring the film to life and add so much more merit to the film than simply hitchcock breathtaking stylistics . all in all and stranger on a train may still come across a slightly too date for certain viewer and but it still a shock how modern and appeal to contemporary audience seem and consider it be release half a century ago . once again and hitchcock prove his unparalleled mastery of tension and film technique and and the film surprisingly original and enjoyable premise be alone worth a viewing . highly recommend to anyone wish to undertake a brilliantly make but superbly entertaining film experience . positive .