The Stranger (1946)

"The Stranger" is a 1946 American film noir directed by Orson Welles, who also stars in the film alongside Edward G. Robinson and Loretta Young. This gripping thriller is notable for being one of the first films released after World War II to depict Nazi war crimes, presenting a bold and dark narrative that explores themes of justice and identity.

In the film, Welles portrays Franz Kindler, a former Nazi architect of the Holocaust who has erased all traces of his identity and taken on a new life as Charles Rankin, a respected professor in a quaint Connecticut town. Edward G. Robinson delivers a compelling performance as Mr. Wilson, a war crimes investigator from the United Nations who tracks down Kindler. Loretta Young plays Mary, Rankin's unsuspecting wife, caught in the escalating tension between her husband and his pursuer.

The plot thickens as Wilson closes in, and Kindler’s facade begins to crumble, leading to a suspenseful and dramatic climax. Welles' direction is masterful, weaving tension and moral complexity into a narrative that maintains a tight pace and atmospheric depth. "The Stranger" is celebrated not only for its historical significance but also for its cinematographic techniques, including striking use of shadows and lighting typical of film noir, enhancing the psychological drama and the moral quandaries it presents. The film remains a critical piece in the exploration of post-war cinema and the psychological portrait of a Nazi fugitive hiding in plain sight.