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Touch of Evil
1958 111 min United States of America PG-13 18+
★8.3
Crime, Thriller, Drama
Director: Orson Welles
📖 Based on the novel
«Badge of Evil»
byWhit Masterson
Trailers
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Description
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.
Budget:
$829,000
US Gross:
$2.25M
Worldwide:
$2.25M
Starring
Charlton Heston
Actor
Orson Welles
Actor
Janet Leigh
Actor
Awards
7 wins & 1 nomination total
Key opinion
Touch of Evil is widely regarded as a masterful, technically ambitious swan song for the classic noir era, noted for its groundbreaking cinematography and Orson Welles’ towering performance. While some critics argue the plot is secondary or fragmented due to studio interference, most acknowledge the film's lasting influence as a visionary piece of expressionistic filmmaking.
| Cinematography | The film features iconic, technically revolutionary cinematography, characterized by bold long takes, extreme low angles, and inventive lighting. | |
| Acting | Orson Welles delivers a complex, physically imposing performance as the corrupt Captain Quinlan that dominates the screen, often overshadowing the rest of the cast. | |
| Acting | Charlton Heston’s casting as a Mexican official is a point of contention, with some viewers finding it effective and others dismissing it as a glaring miscast. | |
| Screenplay | The plot is often described as a secondary element or a 'MacGuffin,' with opinions split on whether this provides a refreshing focus on character dynamics or results in a disjointed, scattered narrative. |