I Confess

     

 

I Confess. Montgomery Clift stars in this 1953 thriller as a priest who hears a killer’s confession but then is accused of the murder himself. Unable to speak out because of the seal of the confessional, police and public opinion turn against him especially when it turns out there was a woman, played by Anne Baxter, in his past. 95 minutes, CC.

Alfred Hitchcock directed this film that was beautifully photographed onsite in Quebec. At the time it was not received well by critics or the public, but later French critics ranked it with Hitchcock's best. Montgomery Clift gave a superb performance that demonstrated that his extraordinary good looks were matched by his acting ability.

Anne Baxter who had earlier starred in great films such as The Magnificent Ambersons, and All About Eve gave another fine performance, and Karl Malden did a great job as a determined police detective.

The DVD includes a feature full of information about the making of the film, and its stars. The 20 minute video can also be found on Youtube.

 

Anne Baxter and Montgomery Clift

Strangers on a Train

Strangers on a Train. Farley Granger and Robert Walker star in this 1951 thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. A chance meeting on a train results in murder in one of Hitchcock’s  best films. The last scene which takes place in an amusement park is one of the most memorable in film history. The musical score is by Dimitri Tiomkin. 101 minutes. CC.

This is my favorite Hitchcock film. Farley Granger is fine but Robert Walker is superb. Walker's film persona was that of the nice boy next door, but here he plays the charming psycho next door in posh Washington D.C. The film also features beautiful Ruth Roman and Patricia Hitchcock, the director's daughter, who gives a surprisingly good performance.

Eddie Muller's fine intro gives much credit to Patricia Highsmith, a famed crime writer whose first novel provided the basis for the film.

Farley Granger and Robert Walker