Absolutely loved the idea of the story and the comparisons to Alfred Hitchcock (one of my all-time favourite directors, my personal favourite actually) and Val Lewton further sparked my interest. Then there is William Castle as director and then a cast that includes Kim Hunter and Robert Mitchum in an early role.
While 'Betrayed' (aka 'When Strangers Marry') didn't strike me as a great film after seeing it, it is still a good film that does the idea, Castle and the cast justice rather than wasting it. Having seen a fair amount of wastes of potential recently in film, that 'Betrayed' was not one of those was a relief and somewhat refreshing. It is every bit as interesting and fun as it sounded while executing most of its crucial components very well, albeit with a few issues here and there.
'Betrayed' is not perfect. It is too short, just over an hour did not feel long length for a story of its nature, and it does feel at times like it was trying to do too much, towards the end particularly it did a little over-stuffed and hectic.
Low budget does show in the sets which are more cardboard than evocative.
However, they are compensated by some clever photography that is far more ambitious than one would think and suitably moody lighting that matches the atmosphere brilliantly. Dmitri Tiomkin's music score is haunting and also effective in enhancing the atmosphere rather than being inappropriate. Castle directs tautly and the script is tight and thought-provoking with its fair share of tension and emotional impact.
The story is never dull and, while it is not perfectly executed, the tension and suspense is all over and the numerous twists and turns (none of them obvious and the best leaving one floored) show an increasing amount of unpredictability. The ending is a delight and cannot fault the cast either. While he did go on to better things, Mitchum is a suitably laconic presence and Dean Jagger excels in an atypical and fairly difficult role. Was most impressed by Hunter though, who shows a confidence and vulnerability as the character that grows the most.
Summing up, didn't blow me away but a good film with a lot of great elements. 7/10 Bethany Cox
While 'Betrayed' (aka 'When Strangers Marry') didn't strike me as a great film after seeing it, it is still a good film that does the idea, Castle and the cast justice rather than wasting it. Having seen a fair amount of wastes of potential recently in film, that 'Betrayed' was not one of those was a relief and somewhat refreshing. It is every bit as interesting and fun as it sounded while executing most of its crucial components very well, albeit with a few issues here and there.
'Betrayed' is not perfect. It is too short, just over an hour did not feel long length for a story of its nature, and it does feel at times like it was trying to do too much, towards the end particularly it did a little over-stuffed and hectic.
Low budget does show in the sets which are more cardboard than evocative.
However, they are compensated by some clever photography that is far more ambitious than one would think and suitably moody lighting that matches the atmosphere brilliantly. Dmitri Tiomkin's music score is haunting and also effective in enhancing the atmosphere rather than being inappropriate. Castle directs tautly and the script is tight and thought-provoking with its fair share of tension and emotional impact.
The story is never dull and, while it is not perfectly executed, the tension and suspense is all over and the numerous twists and turns (none of them obvious and the best leaving one floored) show an increasing amount of unpredictability. The ending is a delight and cannot fault the cast either. While he did go on to better things, Mitchum is a suitably laconic presence and Dean Jagger excels in an atypical and fairly difficult role. Was most impressed by Hunter though, who shows a confidence and vulnerability as the character that grows the most.
Summing up, didn't blow me away but a good film with a lot of great elements. 7/10 Bethany Cox