"Across the Bridge" is based on a story by the famous British writer, Graham Greene. It's unusual in that the story is set in the United States and Mexico...a bit of a departure for a British film.
Rod Steiger stars as a slimey businessman, Carl Schaffner, who is getting rich through cheating and lying his way to the top. However, when he realizes he's about to become indicted, Schaffner runs towards the Mexican border, as extraditing him back to the States would be difficult. Unfortunately for him, his plans fall apart when he decides to steal another man's identity in order to make it into Mexico incognito. Why unfortunate? The guy he attacked and stole the i.d. from turns out to be wanted as well...in Mexico! Many other surprising and clever things occur along the way...making for a most engaging film experience.
There is only one problem with this film, and it's a minor one. Since it is a British production with mostly British actors (apart from Steiger), many of the 'Americans' in the film sound about as American as Sean Connery or Roger Moore! I can't get too upset....American films have had Americans playing Brits poorly for decades....so it's payback time in "Across the Bridge". Overall, it's a brilliantly written film with great cinematography and an excellent performance by Steiger...in fact, it's one of his best.
Rod Steiger stars as a slimey businessman, Carl Schaffner, who is getting rich through cheating and lying his way to the top. However, when he realizes he's about to become indicted, Schaffner runs towards the Mexican border, as extraditing him back to the States would be difficult. Unfortunately for him, his plans fall apart when he decides to steal another man's identity in order to make it into Mexico incognito. Why unfortunate? The guy he attacked and stole the i.d. from turns out to be wanted as well...in Mexico! Many other surprising and clever things occur along the way...making for a most engaging film experience.
There is only one problem with this film, and it's a minor one. Since it is a British production with mostly British actors (apart from Steiger), many of the 'Americans' in the film sound about as American as Sean Connery or Roger Moore! I can't get too upset....American films have had Americans playing Brits poorly for decades....so it's payback time in "Across the Bridge". Overall, it's a brilliantly written film with great cinematography and an excellent performance by Steiger...in fact, it's one of his best.