The Stranger

The Stranger is a 1946 Film Noir starring Orson Welles, Edward G. Robinson, and Loretta Young. Welles also directed the film, which was based on a screenplay written by Victor Trivas.

Trivas' work was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Sam Spiegel was the film's producer, and the film's musical score is by Bronis Kaper. It is believed that this is the first film released after World War II that showed footage of concentration camps.

The Stranger was the only film made by Welles to have been a bona fide box office success on the first release.

It is 1946 and Mr. Wilson (Edward G. Robinson) of the United Nations War Crimes Commission is hunting for Nazi fugitive Franz Kindler (Orson Welles). Kindler has effectively concealed his Nazi activities prior to his escape to the United States. He assumes a new identity, Charles Rankin, lands a job as a university professor and marries Mary Longstreet (Loretta Young), who is the daughter of Supreme Court justice Judge Adam Longstreet.

Wilson releases Kindler's former associate Meinike (Konstantin Shayne) and follows him to Harper, Connecticut, but Meinike is strangled to death before he can identify Kindler. Wilson must convince Mrs. Rankin, the only person to have seen Kindler and Meinke together, that her husband is a war criminal.

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Great Film-Noir from Orson Welles

Legends like Orson Welles and Edward G. Robinson working together is always awesome to see. Add in a supporting cast that includes Loretta Young and a storyline that is fascinating to say the least, and what you have is "The Stranger", a Film Noir thriller. In a "Cat-and-Mouse" game, Robinson and Welles chase down a former Nazi who is held up in a small town in Connecticut. As the wife of Welles, Loretta Young as a pretty difficult role but her performance is credible and as important to the story as any. It's all about "time" in this movie so pay attention to the use of the clock tower, along with related time themes. Sure to please, The Stranger is great Film Noir. October 23, 2008

Fantastic Film-Noir

Robinson is superb as the uncompromising Nazi-hunter bent on finding and bringing ex-Nazi Franz Kindler to justice for war crimes; Loretta Young as Kindler's pretty but naive wife is a bit trite but because of the strong performances by Robinson and Welles can be overlooked.

Welles himself, is convincing as ever as the ex-Nazi masquerading as Mr. Rankin, the favorite teacher at boys' prep school giddy at the irony that he will be married to Supreme Court Justice Longstreet's (Young) daughter. Even Richard Long, before he would become familiar to television audiences as Jarod Barkley of "The Big Valley," delivers a notable performance as Noah Longstreet, brother to Young, who is the first to really suspect the man his sister married is not who he claims to be.

It all works here and manages to entertain throughout. I love how Welles uses the theme of time and linked Kindler and Robinson's character together through their passion for clocks and their methodical attention to detail---Robinson with his notepad trying to establish a timeline for Rankin/Kindler's murder of a fellow Nazi co-patriot in the shadowy woods not far from the town. Welles, uses light and shadow quite liberally here and to great effect establishing an unmistakable atmosphere of menace and evil. We, the audience, quickly identify with Young's and Robinson's character--we want Rankin/Kindler caught--especially after what he does to Red--Noah's dog for attempting to uncover Kindler's murder.

For those who admire Welles' work will enjoy this film; if you are an Eddie G fan--you will love it and recognize some of the gifts this actor has to offer. Other than a storyline that engages the viewer, Welles' conclusion, although somewhat melodramatic and expected, manages to keep the viewer's riveted to the screen throughout the duration of the film. June 16, 2008

Nicely Enhanced Version

This review is for the Triad Productions Enhanced version of The Stranger by Orson Welles.

The enhanced sound quality and crisper image made this DVD play nicley on my HDTV.

This great example of Film-Noir showcases the Nazi fascination of the time. Released in May of 1946, World War II is fresh in the minds of all Americans. Orson Welles stars as a Nazi war criminal tying to hide his past while he is hunted down by the United Nations War Crimes Commission and Edward G. Robinson.

Loretta Young plays Welles' wife. Will she betray him and sell him out to the UNWCC or will love conquer all? I suggest to see for yourself.
June 14, 2008

Great Film-Noir!!!

This is a very good film and one of the lesser-known film-noirs. Orson Welles is an escaped Nazi war criminal named Franz Kindler who hides out in a bucolic Connecticut town under an assumed name. He believes he can finally put his dark past behind him since nobody knows his true identity. He becomes a teacher at a prep school for boys and marries the headmaster's pretty but very naive daughter Mary, played very well by Loretta Young. Edward G. Robinson is also terrific in his role as a war crimes commissioner on Kindler's trail who shows up in town as an antique dealer. Welles and Robinson's characters play a cat & mouse game that ends in a dramatic climax atop the town's clock tower. At times Welles' performance comes off as over the top and the film can seem slightly melodramatic, but I believe those factors enhance the dense and brooding atmosphere. This is a good film with a simple plot and on cue performances that allow us to see the characters' motivations without being distracted by unimportant details. Richard Long and Martha Wentworth also star. Recommended! June 12, 2008

IMDB Review

The Stranger was directed by Orson Welles but he did not adapt it to the screen. Although this is seen as a detraction from the whole by some who have seen it, I believe that Welles' deft directing and penetrating acting is what makes this a Welles film for my taste. He was never a facile actor - but he uses his usual wooden countenance here to the advantage of this role.

Another thing that fascinates me is the underrated status of this engrossing thriller. The action and suspense builds and builds to a peak of excitement that few movies can reach without lots of special effects and Foley work these days. This movie fascinates at every turn without ever seeming as if we are watching art. But art it was in Welles' direction and gentle handling of the unravelling.

Edward G. Robinson is the subtle but welcome prize we receive from this outing. The undercurrents of the horrors that have just come before this movie was made and its actions can be seen seething within his duty to find hidden Nazis. He is methodical and intelligent, it so difficult to see the difference between Robinson the man and Robinson the actor here. He is such a talent that we often mistake his ease for something else but acting -- and of acting he was a master. Plainly seen here as a gift to all of us.

What I like about this and many other good films is how facts are revealed slowly, layer by layer.

Loretta Young was good as the innocent young girl who believes that marriage is a sacred institution, that life has a course to follow which will not be derailed and finds it hard to accept the truth of the horrors behind her marriage.

It was mildly amusing to see a very young Richard Long as the open-minded young man with whom Robinson's character confides certain facts.

I recommend it to fans of psychological thrillers, mysteries and of course, of Mr. Orson Welles. So sad that the studio heads were such disingenuous towards this utter genius of a man who deserved more earnest accolades in his life.

THE STRANGER is not glittering masterpiece but it's a hell of great story that I do not tire of watching...and seeing each piece of the puzzle fall into place.

What MORE could an intelligent person want from a movie?
June 10, 2008

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