Featured Audience Ratings

• Dan S

  
  A minor entry in the legendary career of Orson Welles, concerning a Nazi supporter (Welles) hiding out in Connecticut in the wake of the fall of the German empire, and how a skilled detective (Edward G. Robinson) tracks him down and tries to get him to confess to his true identity.… More
  A minor entry in the legendary career of Orson Welles, concerning a Nazi supporter (Welles) hiding out in Connecticut in the wake of the fall of the German empire, and how a skilled detective (Edward G. Robinson) tracks him down and tries to get him to confess to his true identity. Although boring at times and lacking attention to Welles new life/character that have made him so respected in the town, this movie gets a lot of things correct. Welles larger than life screen presence is consistently watchable, even when his film threatens to lose credibility and go overboard, his sound acting chops and directorial grasp keep it steady. The ending is well-done and fits the film's melodramatic second-half perfectly. Crowd pleasing if occasionally unintentionally funny in its phoniness (Robinson getting knocked out in a gym escapes logic), it is short and sweet and has an interesting enough backdrop to keep you watching.

• Jonathan H

  
  Welles is so technically proficient that even his second-tier works are a clinic in form, camera blocking, and mise-en-scene. Like Bergman, he isn't afraid to use dramatic closeups to communication the emotional tics of his characters, and he always strays clear of the… More
  Welles is so technically proficient that even his second-tier works are a clinic in form, camera blocking, and mise-en-scene. Like Bergman, he isn't afraid to use dramatic closeups to communication the emotional tics of his characters, and he always strays clear of the conventional route when it comes to his direction. The Stranger is one of Welles' more political films (which undoubtedly will turn some people off) and some of the plot points are a little far-fetched, but I marvel at how assuredly paced this film is -- culminating to yet another classic Welles-esque ending. It quickens at the right time, and plays out like a scrupulous crescendo. Of course, having one of the greatest noir actors of all time as your lead doesn't hurt either.

• AJ V

  
  The Stranger or I Married a Nazi (just kidding). A small town is unaware that one of their citizens was a Nazi in WWII, and he lives a normal life until someone comes looking for him. A good movie, with good actors and an interesting story.

• jay n

  
  Wonderfully atmospheric noir with three stars at the top of their game and sensational direction.

• Ken S

  
  The camera and technique are really the stars in the early film by Welles.

• Michael G

  
  Really great post war thriller/film noir.

• Matthew Y

  
  I have a rather unorthodox relationship with Orson Welles. I'm such a fan of non-contemporary films that one would imagine I should simply adore the famed director, alas I've never had a great fondness for his films except for this which is of course the most traditional… More
  I have a rather unorthodox relationship with Orson Welles. I'm such a fan of non-contemporary films that one would imagine I should simply adore the famed director, alas I've never had a great fondness for his films except for this which is of course the most traditional and Hollywoodesc film that Welles ever made. A psychological powertrip of an ex-Nazi wanted for war crimes who has created a fake persona as Charles Rankin and is living as a typical American husband and Connecticut College professor. As an investigator gets closer and closer to discovering Rankin's secret he becomes more and more desperate to protect his new life. As viewers we watch with frantic anticipation to see how far he'll go to protect his new life. This alone is an intoxicating concept but Welles manages to play the notes even further because he showcases Rankin honestly and even sympathetically. For much of the film we're unsure if Rankin is an evil man try to avoid justice for his crimes or actually a changed man simply running from his past. A great film that rarely gets the credit it deserves.

• Chris B

  
  Traditional in style it may be, but Orson Welles directs a solid noir styled mystery/drama that is a beautiful creation to watch. The B&W cinematography and use of light and dark make it atmospheric and dark and it suits the mood perfectly! Welles besides directing the film,… More
  Traditional in style it may be, but Orson Welles directs a solid noir styled mystery/drama that is a beautiful creation to watch. The B&W cinematography and use of light and dark make it atmospheric and dark and it suits the mood perfectly! Welles besides directing the film, also stars next to Edward Robinson and Loretta Young who all turn in solid performances and make the film even greater that the already solid screenplay permits. I really enjoyed the film and the way the story melds together to form a cohesive whole is beautiful and it really makes me miss the Classic films that have almost all but disappeared from modern cinema. This is a fascinating watch and while not up to Welles legendary and critically acclaimed masterpiece "Citizen Kane", it holds it's own remarkably well!

• Mike T

  
  Not on par with Welles' best, but still features some stunning technical choices.

• Stephen E

  
  As much as I hate to admit it, Orson Welles' "The Stranger" is a pretty unremarkable film. It has so much going for it, such as an excellent premise, a colorful cast and a well-equipped director, but these aspects are all squandered. Sure, the cinematography is… More
  As much as I hate to admit it, Orson Welles' "The Stranger" is a pretty unremarkable film. It has so much going for it, such as an excellent premise, a colorful cast and a well-equipped director, but these aspects are all squandered. Sure, the cinematography is interesting and lends the film its cold exterior, but other than that, "The Stranger" is shallow and lifeless. It's predictable and boring with an ending so tiresome and put on that it's sure to infuriate (and/or unintentionally amuse) its viewers. On top of that, the characters are near impossible to connect with, and the fact that the actors are so average in their performances makes it even harder to care about them. If there's anything in "The Stranger" worth talking about, that would be its cinematography. That's pretty much it.

• David S

  
  A disappointing thriller from Welles. I was hoping for much more but the film looks as if it's been tampered with by the studio (the film just stops rather than ends!) and there is little suspense in the story as Rankin's true identity is never in doubt. Robinson is good as… More
  A disappointing thriller from Welles. I was hoping for much more but the film looks as if it's been tampered with by the studio (the film just stops rather than ends!) and there is little suspense in the story as Rankin's true identity is never in doubt. Robinson is good as the Nazi hunter and Welles is also very strong as Rankin (although he is doing a huge amount of 'suspicious' acting) but aside from a good death scene at the end and some nice technical flourishes this has to be considered one of Welles' lesser works.

• Simeon D

  
  The cinematography is inconsistently brilliant and lacks the deliberate angles of Welles' other films, hopelessly rendering this more of an enjoyable Nazi-hunter thriller than a visual masterpiece. Edward Robinson is great and Orson Welles could have been better. Third film… More
  The cinematography is inconsistently brilliant and lacks the deliberate angles of Welles' other films, hopelessly rendering this more of an enjoyable Nazi-hunter thriller than a visual masterpiece. Edward Robinson is great and Orson Welles could have been better. Third film I've seen of Welles (Citizen Kane and A Touch of Evil being the other two) and I watched because I though it would be a little, painless cinematic caper. And I was right, it is; recommended for cinephiles. 79/100

• James B

  
  Classic Orson Welles! Man can he play a sleazy bastard, or what?! I'm glad I am starting to get into all his work, both as an actor and director. He really was quite incredible!

• Marion R

  
  Welles again. He is so evil and I think he is better at playing evil characters. I thought it was well directed.

• Linda K

  
  It's one of Welles' films that i like the least. But still worth seeing for the cinematography, which the filmmaker is known for.

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