The Stranger

Play trailer

The Stranger

Released May 25, 1946

1h 35m

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Immediately following World War II, ex-Nazi Franz Kindler (Orson Welles) is living under a false identity as a teacher in a small Connecticut town, and has even married the headmaster's daughter (Loretta Young) as part of his cover. But when one of Kindler's old German associates (Konstantin Shayne) arrives unexpectedly in town, bringing in his wake a sly federal investigator (Edward G. Robinson), Kindler resorts to desperate measures to preserve his secret.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

The sins of World War II reemerge in an idyllic American setting in this diabolically effective noir, buoyed by Orson Welles' virtuosic direction and performance.

Read Critics Reviews

Chris Bennion

Times (UK)

Traditional as it may be, this postwar thriller is unmistakably Wellesian (not least because of the obsession with clocks).

Apr 3, 2023

Full Review

Jack D. Grant

The Hollywood Reporter

The creators of this one deserve their acclaim.

Jul 4, 2022

Full Review

TIME Magazine

Adroitly directed by Orson Welles, who also plays the star, it is a grade A gooseflesh-raiser.

Mar 12, 2013

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Welles sears his film's place in our minds because he refuses to reduce Nazis to cartoonish movie villains; he reminds us that his story has a potent reality, and he forces us to see it.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 26, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Propelled by its intriguing, Oscar-nominated story.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 19, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Again demonstrates Welles' infatuation with flawed men and impossible redemption.

Rated: 7/10

Aug 15, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Dallas H

Connecticut is not in Argentina! But I still got a kick from watching Orson Welles and Edward G. Robinson do their acting shtick in this post-war drama.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

Full Review

Leaburn O

Strange how this was a box office success for Welles when little of his better work was. This is a decent enough noir at first but becomes progressively sillier as we build towards the so ridiculous it’s kind of brilliant ending. Watched on DVD.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/05/24

Full Review

Paul F

An amazing accomplishment for Welles as he made this under the constraints of the studio system. A man who was often at odds with studio heads interference, Welles made this without an all out bruha-ha resulting in having this taken away, reshoots and cutting of the final product. Welles delivers a final product, Wellesian in nature and RKO to it's credit, let him.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/24

Full Review

r96 s

A good movie, albeit one that finishes weaker than it started. I really enjoyed the set up of 'The Stranger', though once the cat is let out the bag events do move along at a notch below. The final 30 feels a little drawn out, admittedly only in a relative sense because it is still perfectly watchable - but I personally wasn't as interested as I was across the opening chunk. There is a commanding showing from Edward G. Robinson, the best of those onscreen for my money. Orson Welles is good too, particularly visually. Loretta Young has a couple of impressive moments in there too, even if her character is quite baffling at times. Billy House stands out in my memory from this too. Taking everything into consideration, this 1946 picture is one I'd recommend; even if my feelings post-watch are of wanting more from it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/23/24

Full Review

Steve D

Nothing new here but it works.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/29/24

Full Review

Alec B

Regarded as lesser Welles and mostly I'm inclined to agree since it was clearly edited within an inch of its life by the studio. However, its beautifully shot and while it isn't fully explored there are some interesting comparisons made between Rankin's fascism and his obsession with clocks.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Orson Welles

Director

Edward G. Robinson

Mr. Wilson

Orson Welles

Professor Charles Rankin

Loretta Young

Mary Longstreet

Richard Long

Noah Longstreet

Martha Wentworth

Sara

While the City Sleeps

91%

66%

While the City Sleeps

Watchlist

The Third Man

99%

93%

The Third Man

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Third Man

The House on 92nd Street

50%

51%

The House on 92nd Street

Watchlist

The Chase

40%

44%

The Chase

Watchlist

Dead Reckoning

82%

67%

Dead Reckoning

Watchlist

Discover more movies and 온라인카지노추천 shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Immediately following World War II, ex-Nazi Franz Kindler (Orson Welles) is living under a false identity as a teacher in a small Connecticut town, and has even married the headmaster's daughter (Loretta Young) as part of his cover. But when one of Kindler's old German associates (Konstantin Shayne) arrives unexpectedly in town, bringing in his wake a sly federal investigator (Edward G. Robinson), Kindler resorts to desperate measures to preserve his secret.

Director: Orson Welles
Producer: Sam P. Eagle
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: RKO Pictures
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 25, 1946, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 35m

Most Popular at Home Now