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Film Critics (Initial Release)
Initially dismissed or ignored by American critics upon its release.
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.
Directed byOrson Welles
Written byWhit Masterson, Orson Welles
Budgetapproximately $829,000
Box office$2,247,465
Critical Consensus
8.0
IMDb
99
Metacritic
7.8
TMDB
Initially dismissed, Touch of Evil later gained acclaim in Europe and was eventually rehabilitated in the 1970s. It is now considered a definitive pillar of film noir.
The Cast
Charlton Heston
Ramon Miguel Vargas
Janet Leigh
Susan 'Susie' Vargas
Orson Welles
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 Assistant
Trivia
The film opens with a famous three-and-a-half-minute continuous crane shot that is widely studied by film students.
Orson Welles wrote a 58-page memo to Universal executives explaining his original creative vision after being forced off the film.
In 1998, Walter Murch re-edited the film following the specific instructions in Welles's extensive memo.
Welles was hired to direct only after Charlton Heston suggested it to the studio.
Marlene Dietrich's cameo was done as a personal favor to Welles, and she was reportedly not paid for the role.
Reviews
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Critics
LC
Later Critical Consensus
Now widely regarded as one of Welles's best films and a classic masterpiece of film noir.
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