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Border Incident (1949)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
28 October 1949 (USA) morePlot:
Mexican and American federal agents tackle a vicious gang exploiting illegal farm workers in southern California. full summary | add synopsisNewsDesk:
(2 articles)
TCM Tribute to Ricardo Montalban (From Twitch. 18 January 2009, 9:59 AM, PST)
Breaking News! Ricardo Montalban Dead At Age 88
(From CinemaRetro. 14 January 2009, 2:26 PM, PST)
User Comments:
"BORDER INCIDENT"--TOP DRAWER FILM NOIR moreCast
(Complete credited 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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
94 minCountry:
USAColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)Certification:
USA:Approved (certificate #13741) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15Fun Stuff
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. moreQuotes:
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.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema (2002) moreFAQ
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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Border Incident (1949)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Death Scene of Jack Bearnes | richsass |
| Available on DVD, but a film-noir? | famalberts |
| Illegal immigration history... | bobshankjr-1 |
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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.