Movie: Touch of Evil (1958)

“An automobile is blown up as it crosses the Mexican border into the United States. Mike Vargas, a high ranking Mexican narcotics official on honeymoon with his bride Susie is drawn into the investigation because a Mexican national has been accused of the crime. The figurative and physical presence of Hank Quinlan as the 330 pound sheriff looms all over. Quinlan is a fanatic where “justice” is concerned, even if obtaining it involves planting evidence. Quinlan’s reputation for law and order enables him to bend the law without question until Vargas confronts him. From that point on, it’s a battle of wits between the two that, with an accelerating pace, rushes to a climax. Written by filmfactsman”

  • Director: Orson Welles
  • Release Date: 8 June 1958 (France)
  • Run Time: 95 min | Germany:111 min (1998 alternate version) | USA:108 min (1975 alternate vesion) | USA:112 min (director’s cut) | Spain:106 min (DVD edition)
  • Country: USA
  • Genre: Crime , Film-Noir , Thriller
  • MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some violence and drug content. (1988 restoration)

Tagline: The Overwhelming Drama of a Strange Vengeance

Trivia: When Orson Welles discovered that his film was recut, he wrote a letter to the production house with specifics on how he would have wanted the film to be released. This memo, thought to be lost, was found to be in the possession of star Charlton Heston and was the basis for the re-edited 1998 re-release.

Goofs: Crew or equipment visible: Crew and equipment reflected in the side of Vargas’s car as he prepares to take his wife to the american motel.

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