MovieChat Forums > Strangers on a Train (1951) Discussion > Best climax in a Hitchcock film?

Best climax in a Hitchcock film?

posted 11 years ago by TwiZone
22 replies | jump to latest

I've seen 18 Hitchcock films so far, and in my opinion, this is definitely his best climax. I was completely on the edge of my seat watching it for the first time towards the end. Just waiting for Guy to finish the tennis match, watching Bruno get the cigarette lighter under the drain, Guy rushing to the fairground, then the carousel scene. It was one heck of an ending, especially for a Hitchcock film. I think I would consider it one of my favourite climaxes to a film.

Do you agree or disagree?

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Trax-3 10 years ago

Didn't really work for me. The suspense just wasn't there this time.

[–] ida96 9 years ago

I agree. The prolonged tennis match and the trumped up hand reaching for the dropped lighter just went on too long. And the carousel bit was somewhat risible. For suspense and menace, I prefer Spellbound.

[–] LyonME 10 years ago

I just can't get past the cop firing randomly into a carousel, ultimately hitting the operator. On what planet would that be considered a good call?
But beyond that, the bizarre speeding carousel, the close-ups of terrified kids, etc. was captivating. How can you not love it?

[–] heelmaster2000 10 years ago

I personally think that The Birds has the best ending, but this one was still one of his best.

[–] mikekrit62 10 years ago

For me, it would be the ending of The 39 Steps or Suspicion. I recently saw Shadow of a Doubt for the first time, and that has a pretty suspenseful, if brief climax.

[–] philkronenberg 9 years ago

Also-: no one get hurt (except Bruno) on the carousel which made it wholly incredulous

[–] TenPercenter 9 years ago

I was laughing so hard during the merry-go-round finale. (Even that phrase "merry-go-round finale" is utterly ridiculous.)

Dumbest movie ever.