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MOVIES TOUCH OF EVIL
Quick Rating: **** This movie was restored on DVD to more accurately reflect Orson Welles vision for it. He had produced a rough edit, and the studio didn't like it - they filmed more scenes and re-edited thhe film. Welles was not too happy about that and wrote a 58 (!) page memo citing his specific problems with the re-edit. Using that memo, they were able to produce this movie close to what Welles wanted. Having never seen this movie before, I can't comment on the differences and their impact. But I was curious to learn that information. This is one beautiful film. It is film noir to perfection. The scenary, the shadows, the reflections, the camera angles and movements. It's a cinematographer's wet dream. The opening shot alone left me breathless. The tracked camera follows a car through the streets of Mexican town, over buildings and down to street level, and we follow a couple walking down the street, and then we reach the US border... It just sets the tone, sets the scene, introduces us to some characters, and then it explodes into the story. There's been a murder on the American side of the border, and Hank Quinlan (Welles) is the police chief in charge. Quinlan has an esteemed record, but has aged, and put on much wait, and is grizzled in his appearance. Welles plays him fantastically. Also on the scene is a Mexican police investigator, Vargas (Heston). He is the one thing of this movie that didn't look good. Heston was made to look "Mexican" by somehow darkening his skin. It looks unnatural, and really stands out when he's around real Hispanic actors. Anyway, Heston does an ok job in a ok role. Vargas' wife, played by Janet Leigh, has a big role in the story, and although Leigh believable, the character isn't very endearing. I don't want to give too much away about the story, but basically it comes down to a righteous cop and a corrupt cop irritating each other to the point that each is determined to take the other down. There are definitely some side plots to it, and the story keeps moving and keeps your interest. This is a classic film that shouldn't be missed. Quality: 8.0 Visuals:
9.5 Intensity: 7.5 reviewed
2004
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