Fresh
Expressionistic in the extreme, filled with shadows, angles and cinematic flourishes, the film raises the usual brooding nightmare ambiance of film noir to a level few other pictures have attempted.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Touch of Evil
The strangest vengeance ever planned!
1958 · 1h 51m · PG-13
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Directed by
Orson Welles
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Touch of Evil
Overview
A border-town bombing draws Mexican investigator Miguel Vargas into a corruption-ridden police investigation led by crooked captain Hank Quinlan, setting off a deadly struggle over power, justice, and truth.
Director and cast
- Orson Welles Director
- Charlton Heston as Ramon Miguel Vargas
- Janet Leigh as Susan 'Susie' Vargas
- Orson Welles as Police Captain Hank Quinlan
- Joseph Calleia as Police Sergeant Pete Menzies
- Akim Tamiroff as 'Uncle' Joe Grandi
- Joanna Moore as Marcia Linnekar
- Ray Collins as District Attorney Adair
- Dennis Weaver as Mirador Motel Night Manager
- Valentin de Vargas as Pancho
- Mort Mills as Al Schwartz - District Attorney's Assistant
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
96%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Having the Touch of Evil envisioned by our most creative filmmaker, is a wondrous gift no movie lover should miss.
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
Fresh
[Welles'] scenes with brothel-keeper Marlene Dietrich have nothing to do with the plot and everything to do with the rotting heart of this amazing fable: the apotheosis of pulp.
Anthony Lane, New Yorker
Fresh
Indeed, just to see and hear the extraordinary 3 minute and 20 second opening sequence -- a fluid tour de force tracking shot -- without impediment of opening credits and street-sound-masking movie score is accomplishment enough.
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Fresh
I first saw it when I was 14 and thought it was one of the worst pictures ever -- garish, oppressive, and appallingly overacted. Grown up, I'd go with those same adjectives, except now I think it's one of the best.
David Edelstein, Slate
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