Touch of Evil
Release date 23rd April 1958
Country : USA
Running time : 95 mins
Genre : Thriller
Starring Orson Welles, Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh
 Screenplay by Orson Welles
Directed by Orson Welles



Vargas, a Mexican narcotics investigator on honeymoon in a border town confronts a crooked police chief Hank Quinlan over a murder.

Very dark noir thriller which has some superb cinematography including a justly celebrated opening shot. It was butchered by the studio on release but has since been restored to reflect Welles' vision. It is compelling in its portrayal of the end of an era for crooked cops  like Welles' Hank Quinlan a remarkable performance which dominates the film.

 

This was Welles first Hollywood film in a decade and also proved to be the last he directed in the US.

Pure Orson Welles and impure balderdash, which may be the same thing. Gerald Weales