The Stranger 1946

War crimes commissioner Wilson is on a critical mission, driven by a fierce determination to track down and bring to justice those elusive Nazi war criminals who believe they can escape the hangman’s noose. Seeking an unconventional approach, he decides to use Konrad Meinike, played by Konstantin Shayne, as bait. By granting Meinike his freedom, Wilson aims to follow him to his dangerous contacts from the war. Meinike, who is haunted by profound guilt for his actions during the tumultuous times of the war, has found solace and redemption in Christianity.

Upon his release, Meinike quickly makes his way to a quaint town in Connecticut, where he reaches out to his former Nazi associate, the cunning and sinister Franz Kindler, portrayed by Orson Welles. Kindler is cleverly concealing his true identity by masquerading as the esteemed Professor Charles Rankin. This dual life allows him to blend seamlessly into academic life, living with his charming new wife, Mary. However, the tenuous peace of this idyllic setting is shattered when Meinike approaches Kindler, pleading for him to surrender himself to justice. In a shocking turn of events, the professor, consumed by his dark past, responds violently by strangling Meinike and disposing of his body in the eerie woods nearby.

Believing he is now safe from discovery, Kindler basks in the illusion that no one possesses knowledge of his former life. Yet, unbeknownst to him, Wilson is in town, cleverly disguised as an antiques dealer, with the singular goal of unearthing the malevolent Kindler. What follows is an exhilarating clash of wills and a battle of wits between the relentless commissioner and the devious professor. The tension mounts as the stakes rise, and it becomes a dangerous game of cat and mouse where intelligence and cunning are tested to their limits. The chilling fog of their dark past looms heavily over both men as this gripping story unfolds, drawing you deep into a world of intrigue and moral conflict.