There's a charming monster in our midst and he's getting away with murder!
From the density and detail of the backgrounds to the amazing camera work, "The Stranger" is full of signature Orson Welles' touches, but my favorite is Welles' behind-the-scenes decision to use very long shots (the scene between Kindler and Meinike in the woods is actually longer that the famous opening scene of "Touch of Evil") in order to flummox the slice-and-dice plans of the editor - (Ernest J. Nims, the "supercutter") the studio had demanded Welles work under - in exchange for funding his film.
"The Stranger" is a plot-driven, studio project that Welles took on specifically to prove that he could make that kind of film. It was also -- believe it or not -- the only Welles picture that could be considered a box-office "hit" during its original run.
A genuine, suspenseful post-war film noir from Woodstock, Illinois' most famous son.
Enjoy!
