User Reviews

This is probably the most unusual episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" because it's based on a story by Ambrose Bierce...as is a short French film (which won the Oscar for Best Short Subject) AND an episode of "The Twilight Zone". And, incidentally, "The Twilight Zone" episode actually IS an edited version of the French short! Wow...three stories by the same name and all based on the same story over a five year period. Of the three, this "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" story was the first.

The story is set during the US Civil War. A Confederate (Ronald Howard) is trying to blow up a strategic bridge but is captured. He's sentenced to hang but the rope apparently breaks and he falls into the river....and spends the rest of the episode on the run.

There sure wasn't any suspense for me, as I'd seen the other two versions of the story. Hopefully, when you see it, it will be the for the first time.

This version is a bit different. While the basic story is the same, the French/"Twilight Zone" version has almost no dialog at all, which made it easy to splice apart and air on US TV in 1964. But in this first version, there's a lot of dialog...plenty. Now comparing them is not easy for me, as I saw the other two episodes about a decade ago. As for the Hitchcock version, it was very well made and has a VERY dark and jarring ending. Well worth seeing.

By the way, a couple guys to look for in this one is a very young James Coburn as well as the terrific and sadly forgotten character actor, Juano Hernandez.

I've seen the French version numerous times since I taught the story to my middle school students. Each time, it gives me chills. This one is pretty much fluffed up. First of all, the guy is being hanged but the writers feel they have to add about five minutes explaining what he did and showing his capture. When he falls, noose around his neck, we have a long, tedious effort on his part to escape his executioners. This is realistic but it is never ending. He meets a man; I'm sure he is a slave from his big mansion. The guy keeps singing the same things over and over as they move toward the big house. When the end comes it's as much a relief to the viewer as the poor guy. This version just seemed dull and lacking in suspense.

No spoilers...

I had first seen the French film version that was shown on the Twilight Zone in their 5th season. The Twilight Zone licensed the 1962 short-film version for 2 airings for $10 000, a fraction of what they were spending to produce episodes at the time and it helped them to tighten their budget as they were nearing end of that season. It won an award at Cannes. I had no idea and was surprised to see this telling of the story on Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The French version had nearly no dialog whatsoever, the story being told visually for the most part. Perhaps slightly more artistic but I thought this Hitchcock version was well acted and gripping.

Based on the short story by Ambrose Bierce, journalist and war writer who later mysteriously disappeared (perhaps adding to the mystique). Highly recommended, and not just for mystery show fans...

This version of the famous story is just as well done as the French film that appeared on the Twilight Zone 3 years after this. Excellent acting and particularly haunting is the harp music used to signify the late wife. Unforgettable.

This story was written in the late 1880s and has been done a few times on the screen, including an episode of The Twilight Zone. Ronald Howard (son of the wonderful English actor Leslie Howard) plays a Civil War confederate, he's arrested and condemned to death for attempting to blow up government property - a bridge.

Peyton is going to hang for this crime. The frayed rope breaks and he drops into the river below. Somehow, he manages to free his hands and swim for safety but he is seen and a man-hunt is on.

Peyton stumbles through the woods and bumps into his manservant (who he thought had died) who offers to help him find his way home. Eventually, he arrives at his mansion and his wife (who is deceased) is waiting for him.

The ending is kind of expected but the graphic scene of his hanging was unexpected and very disturbing, especially for the time this was made.

A wonderful story but so very sad. 9/10.