Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

The Felt Hat (1951)

play Please note: this clip is silent
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The killer is cornered

Original classification rating: not rated. This clip chosen to be G

Clip description

With a group of men on his tail, the killer climbs further upwards through the scrub. Meanwhile, the victim’s felt hat continues its way down the river. When the killer makes it to the road at the top of the valley, it at first appears he’s escaped. However, he’s walked right into the hands of the other men waiting to capture him. As he’s finally surrounded, the felt hat slows in the river.

Curator’s notes

This clip, from the final scenes of the film, highlights the capable camerawork and dramatic devices that make The Felt Hat an accomplished short fiction film. The final high-angle shot that slowly zooms in on the culprit as his capture becomes inevitable makes this last scene memorable.