The Strange One-1957

Director Jack Garfein

Starring Ben Gazzara, Pat Hingle

Scott’s Review #129

Reviewed July 23, 2014

Grade: B

The Strange One is a strange (no pun intended) obscure psychological drama from 1957 starring a very young Ben Gazzara and George Peppard.

The setting is a military academy where bullying and intimidation run rampant between the young cadets and some of the staff.

The sadistic lead bully is Gazzara, who is mesmerizing in his low-key yet frightening portrayal of a macho guy who gets what he wants and decides to destroy his victims.

The film reminds me of an extended Twilight Zone episode. It feels like a television thriller but is effective as a black-and-white shot.

Gazzara stands out in the cast as a charming, sadistic bully in a military academy who terrorizes and manipulates anyone in his path.

One flaw is there is no explanation for his behavior. How did he become so terrorizing? Was he abused? What is his motivation?

In a sense, however, this makes it all the more fascinating.

Some homoerotic scenes are surprising to find in films in 1957 when the Production Code was so strict.

The Strange One is an interesting little film.