Touch of Evil

Movie

1958

1h 51m

PG-13

English

Crime, Thriller, Mystery

User Score:

8.1

Critic Score:

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Touch of Evil

PG-13

Movie

1958

1h 51m

English

Crime, Thriller, Mystery

Play Trailer

Watch on Spectrum On Demand

When a car bomb explodes on the American side of the U.S./Mexico border, Mexican drug enforcement agent Miguel Vargas begins his investigation, along with American police captain Hank Quinlan. When Vargas begins to suspect that Quinlan and his shady partner, Menzies, are planting evidence to frame an innocent man, his investigations into their possible corruption quickly put himself and his new bride, Susie, in jeopardy.

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8.1

IMDB

CRITIC SCORE

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Available in 1 other country.

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Cast

Ramon Miguel Vargas

Susan 'Susie' Vargas

Police Captain Hank Quinlan

Joseph Calleia

Police Sergeant Pete Menzies

Akim Tamiroff

'Uncle' Joe Grandi

Joanna Moore

Marcia Linnekar

Ray Collins

District Attorney Adair

Dennis Weaver

Mirador Motel Night Manager

Valentin de Vargas

Pancho

Mort Mills

Al Schwartz - District Attorney's A...

Victor Millan

Manelo Sanchez

Lalo Rios

Risto - Grandi's Nephew

Pretty Boy

Blaine

Zita

Chief Gould

Tana

Coroner (uncredited)

Strip-Club Owner

Young Delinquent (uncredited)

Bobbie (uncredited)

Lackey (uncredited)

Jackie (uncredited)

Policeman (uncredited)

Eleanor Dorado

Lia (uncredited)

Directed By: Orson Welles

Written By: Orson Welles (Screenplay), Whit Masterson (Novel)

Featured Comments/Tips

bondless says...

6 years ago

The irony of this film is that it is supposed to show the evils of racism while casting the all too white Charlton Heston, Akim Tamiroff and Marlene Dietrich as Mexicans. Aside from this irony, the film is one of the most important films within the genre of Film Noir for good reason. The cinematography in the first and last scenes are pure brilliance. This is arguably one of Orson Welles best films, both as an actor and director. If you do watch it make sure and watch the reconstructed version, based on Welles original desire for the film.

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soonertbone says...

4 months ago

Much better and more coherent than I remembered--not sure if it's due to being less mature 20 years ago or due to not seeing the restored print. What I saw this time was brilliant and flashy, Welles' best since Kane. I loved the shot compositions and use of framing to both highlight character interactions as well as to suggest a sense of mood and danger--reminiscent of The Third Man. Heston didn't irritate me as much as he usually does, and the scenes with Janet Leigh (especially in the hotel) were both fun and chilling.

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FLY_ says...

3 months ago

(This was the newly cut version) Good plot, incredibly modern cinematography. The brown face might be disputable these days. Can't say I've been blown away by Charlton Heston's performance but Welles himself is perfect as a gruff "great detective but lousy cop". Some investigation, some manipulation, a typical noir ambiance. Was enjoyable till the end. Just had issues with the extremely naive bride. What the hell is wrong with her ? She has absolutely zero survival instinct.

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ecnef says...

6 years ago

Supposedly this is a classic, and part of the "canon" of great films. I dunno, seems all over the place and badly directed/written to me. But maybe that's because I can conceive of Mexicans as people not criminals. Also Brownface much!

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Featured User Reviews

drqshadow

4/10 4 years ago

On honeymoon with his new bride, a Mexican narcotics officer is unwittingly drawn into a web of crime and corruption when he witnesses a fatal car bombing. Following the case with interest, he's repulsed by the brusque attitude and morally-questionable methods of the local authorities; particula More

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CinemaSerf

one year ago

We start with a man putting a bomb in a car on the Mexican side of the border. When it explodes on the American side flattening the occupants, the local "Capt. Quinlan" (Orson Welles) decides to make a bit of a cursory investigation - in cahoots with his opposite number "Vargas" (Charlton Heston). W More

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Wuchak

6 years ago

Welles/Heston B&W cult noir is great on a technical level, but meh as a viewing experience

On the Texas border a Mexican detective (Charlton Heston) assists an American investigation into a shocking murder of an American official on the border, but he soon learns that the imposing & slovenly She More

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Filipe Manuel Neto

2 months ago

**It's not Orson Welles' best work, and there are some problems and wrong choices, but it's still a worthwhile film.**

One crime and two totally different men: this sentence almost sums up the entire film. Director Orson Welles is one of those monsters that we are used to having like a “sacred More

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