Review: Saboteur (1942)
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Robert Cummings, Priscilla Lane, Otto Kruger
Runtime: 108 Minutes approx
The Good:
Well what can I say? It’s a Hitchcock film and even a weaker film compared to his others is still better than most films in general. Saboteur provides his trademark masterful skill for creating suspense albeit in a more close-knit, personal fashion than usual. Hitch manages to take what could have been a boring film that could only warrant a very short runtime and makes it into an almost two hour long suspenseful ride. From the films of his that I’ve seen so far this is one of Hitchcock’s most humanistic tales, certainly in the portrayal of the lead character. The film also has a very nice pace to it with an abundance of twists and turns in the story.
The Bad:
This is one of Hitchcock’s most confusing films. About two thirds of the way through something happens that left me very confused and it doesn’t help that the rest of the movie relies on that confusing plot point. Even thinking back I am still unsure as to the motivations and reasons behind some of the actions which take up the latter part of the film. Perhaps on a further viewing I shall gain a tighter grasp on the events that happen but for now I remain confused.
Overall:
Despite it being on the confusing side to say the least this is still after all an Alfred Hitchcock film and let’s face it he was better than most at making movies. Saboetur is a film I look forward to revisiting at some point to catch some things I have no doubt missed upon a first viewing but my first viewing left me more than satisfied.
Dave Becker said
November 26 2007 @ 4:43 pm
This is one of the few Hitchcock films I haven’t seen yet. Thanks for reviewing this…you reminded me that I have to get on the ball and watch it!
Ross Miller said
November 27 2007 @ 1:41 am
Well I just recently bought a Hitchcock box set (14 films in one box!) so I am working my way through it. So far I have seen 5 Hitchcock films:
Psycho
Vertigo
Rear Window
Rope
Saboteur
Next on the agenda:
Frenzy (because it’s the only Hitchcock film to be rated an 18)