This is one of those Hitchcock movies that people love or hate, it doesn't seem to attract much in the middle ground of ambivalence of opinion like films like Topaz does. I admit to be in the love it category. I first saw when I was a really little kid on TBS, and liked it even though it has decidedly adult subject matter. I've always been a sucker for creepy atmosphere and this film delivers loads of it. A great deal of this "creep factor" comes from the numerous out door scenes. The combination of the black and white film stock and some of Hitchcock's angular shots in those scenes really brings on the menace. It certainly helps that ALL of the outdoor shots were on location in and around Montreal, where the film is set. It is based on yet another play, this time from Paul Anthelme. The story involves a priest, one Father Michael Logan (Montgomery Clift) who hears the confession of a murderer, but, of course, cannot turn him in. When attention is turned by investigator Inspector Larrue (Karl Malden) to Father Logan himself, he has no choice but to remain silent. Complicating matters is the presence of Father Logan's former love interest, Ruth Grandfort (Anne Baxter), who is most definitely still in love with him.
No comments:
Post a Comment