Hitchcock's Number Seventeen has to be his most experimental film by far and it's actually quite an enjoyable watch from a technical perspective if you can get beyond the confusing plot. The film is basically divided into to parts (2 acts almost - this movie runs just over an hour) the first taking place in a deserted house and the second being a wacky chase between a bus and a train. During the first part the use of shadows in the lighting is incredibly bold. It's reminiscent of a German Expressionist films and there are even some subtle shapes formed in the shadows possibly intended as subliminal tension builders. Editing is what shines in the second half during the chase. It's gleefully frantic and honestly makes some of Michael Bay's work seem slow. The action frantically cuts back and forth between different people and locations. So be warned: Number Seventeen strength lies in it's technical bravery - not really in anything else.
Review of Number 17
