Border Incident (1949)

Director:

Anthony Mann

Writers:

John C. Higgins (screenplay)
John C. Higgins (story) ...

Release Date:

28 October 1949 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Film-Noir | Drama

Plot:

Mexican and American federal agents tackle a vicious gang exploiting illegal farm workers in southern California.

Plot Keywords:

California | Farm | Mexico | Federal Agent | Torture

Cast

Ricardo Montalban	...	Pablo Rodriguez
George Murphy	...	Jack Bearnes
Howard Da Silva	...	Owen Parkson
James Mitchell	...	Juan Garcia
Arnold Moss	...	Zopilote
Alfonso Bedoya	...	Cuchillo
Teresa Celli	...	Maria
Charles McGraw	...	Jeff Amboy
José Torvay	...	Pocoloco (as Jose Torvay)
John Ridgely	...	Mr. Neley
Arthur Hunnicutt	...	Clayton Nordell
Sig Ruman	...	Hugo Wolfgang Ulrich
Otto Waldis	...	Fritz

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (certificate #13741) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Goofs:

Continuity: Near movie's end, Pablo Rodriguez (Montalban) is almost fully submerged in quicksand. However, immediately upon being pulled out, he looks like he's had a shower; the quicksand that had been on his face and hair is completely gone.

Quotes:

Jack Bearnes: How do I know you won't double-cross me?
Owen Parkson: You don't. It's dealer's choice and I'm the dealer.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Some of the Best (1949)

"BORDER INCIDENT"--TOP DRAWER FILM NOIR

First off, that look! This is a major John Alton achievement, one of the most atmospheric noirs: brooding overcast Mexican skies dominate many scenes, and several others are shrouded in threatening obscurity. All to the effect of heightening the drama of this taut film. Occasionally, it recalls the dark Mexican ambience of "Ride The Pink Horse", another great South-of-the-border Film Noir.

As for drama, this is an action-packed noir from beginning to end (once past the stentorian narrator we all love to hate--though he keeps it brief). Terrific chase scenes and fights, all done with conviction. The quicksand episodes are downright disturbing.

The cast--where to begin? Ricardo Montalban is just plain great in this one, conveying all the humanity and determination his character requires. And George Murphy does just fine as his counterpart. Some favorite noir villains are on hand and in fine form: Howard Da Silva--subtle and smouldering, Charles McGraw--intimidating and scary.

James Mitchell--a fine, lithe performer. He and Montalban make a great pair. Is it my imagination that there is a very slight touch of homoeroticism between them? Montalban (Pablo Rodriguez), a looker himself, attaches to the handsome Mitchell (Juan Garcia) and in no time they are calling each other "Pablito" and "Juanito" (terms of endearment, no?). Alton and Mann shoot them in tight, intimate closeups at several points. Mitchell's last line is memorable "Now one knows the meaning of the 'soft hands'", referring to the lack of 'bracero' calluses on Montalban's palms.

The horrors of illegal immigration from Mexico have not gone away 50+ years later, they are depicted in this film with honesty and humanity.