Like some others here I had seen this movie once many years ago, I was very young and came upon it at least 30 minutes into the film. Over the years I forgot the title of it, but never the plot and Rod Steiger and of course Dolores. I never saw it TV again. I would ask people about it describing the plot but no one seem to remember it.It wasn't until I was looking over Steiger's filmography that I found out the title. I bought the DVD and watched last night and memories of years and years came back over me.The music the photography, the hopelessness. So beautiful, so sad.If you have not seen it yet, please do so. One of the most forgotten movies and one of the best performances Rod Steiger ever gave.
32 Reviews
Dark, breathless and unpredictable thriller
themadmovieman27 May 2015
This is a really interesting, dark and thrilling film all packed into one. It may not have the look of the most fast-paced film, but it really delivers and becomes hugely exciting towards the end, and whilst it may not necessarily seem so bleak on the face of things either, it becomes very depressing and heavy-going at some points, however it's got such a fascinating story that you can't help but be totally engrossed.
Basically, the plot is full of the most unpredictable twists and turns you could ever imagine. What starts off as a relatively simple story suddenly transforms into an extremely complex tale of state borders, identity confusion and a whole host of other stuff that would normally be pretty tough to follow, however this film's excellent screenplay delivers all of that in such a way that it's still a simple enough watch to be pretty entertaining.
However, there's nothing more exciting in this film than the way that it pulls your mind from one side to the other on a constant basis due to its numerous twists, because it eventually makes you realise that it's just too unpredictable to predict, and that sense of anticipation that you get before each twist comes is hugely exhilarating.
Also, this film manages to be very heavy and bleak at points whilst still maintaining its excitement. The identity theft element to it is very sad, however what becomes most bleak is the final act, which is more a question of survival rather than anything else, and it really requires a lot to get to grips with.
Finally, the most interesting thing about this film was its central character, the German-born British billionaire, played fantastically by Rod Steiger. On the face of things, he's a terrible person, but the strangest thing about this film is that this villain really grows on you as it develops, and he turns into some sort of an anti- hero, who you end supporting towards the end, rather than hope for his arrest as you do earlier on, which I found really fascinating.
Basically, the plot is full of the most unpredictable twists and turns you could ever imagine. What starts off as a relatively simple story suddenly transforms into an extremely complex tale of state borders, identity confusion and a whole host of other stuff that would normally be pretty tough to follow, however this film's excellent screenplay delivers all of that in such a way that it's still a simple enough watch to be pretty entertaining.
However, there's nothing more exciting in this film than the way that it pulls your mind from one side to the other on a constant basis due to its numerous twists, because it eventually makes you realise that it's just too unpredictable to predict, and that sense of anticipation that you get before each twist comes is hugely exhilarating.
Also, this film manages to be very heavy and bleak at points whilst still maintaining its excitement. The identity theft element to it is very sad, however what becomes most bleak is the final act, which is more a question of survival rather than anything else, and it really requires a lot to get to grips with.
Finally, the most interesting thing about this film was its central character, the German-born British billionaire, played fantastically by Rod Steiger. On the face of things, he's a terrible person, but the strangest thing about this film is that this villain really grows on you as it develops, and he turns into some sort of an anti- hero, who you end supporting towards the end, rather than hope for his arrest as you do earlier on, which I found really fascinating.
Half a bridge too far.
brogmiller28 April 2020
Based upon a short story by genius Grahame Greene this film of Ken Annakin features a remarkably restrained performance by Rod Steiger as Schaffner, a loathsome businessman on the run. A chance meeting on a train to Mexico gives him an opportunity of switching identities but with unexpected consequences, to put it mildly! Annakin considered this his best work and judging by my knowledge of his other films he is right. Good performances by Noel Willman as an equally venal Mexican police chief and the always excellent Bernard Lee as the man from the Yard. Mention must also be made of the delectable Dolores, the dumb chum whose dogged devotion inadvertently brings about Schaffner's downfall. Although Steiger is not everyone's cup of tea this is certainly one of his most satisfying performances.
Powerful, neglected Rod Steiger film
emurer21 August 2002
I saw this film, based on a Graham Greene story, 30 years ago on Norwegian TV. Rod Steiger plays a crooked businessman on the lam, who flees across the border into Mexico. The U.S. and Mexican authorities collude to ensure that he won't have access to funds. With nowhere to stay, he is followed by a small dog, whom he first resents; they end up in the desert, where the dog saves his life. A wrenching portrayal of a man who is progressively stripped, first of what he previously valued, and then of everything.
Strong thinking person's thriller
runamokprods5 January 2011
Interesting expansion of a Graham Greene short story. A millionaire embezzler tries to steal another man's identity and escape to Mexico.
Rod Steiger is terrific in the lead and boldly unafraid to be unsympathetic. There's a solid noir feeling to the story, themes and especially the cinematography. There's a good deal of tension, too.
On the other hand, the whole story depends on not just one but two whopping coincidences, along with a couple of those 'why doesn't the character just ?' moments, which hurt the overall effectiveness of the film. The score is a bit over the top too.
But, for any faults it's still a well made, thinking person's thriller, worth seeking out if you're a fan of the genre or the elements.
Rod Steiger is terrific in the lead and boldly unafraid to be unsympathetic. There's a solid noir feeling to the story, themes and especially the cinematography. There's a good deal of tension, too.
On the other hand, the whole story depends on not just one but two whopping coincidences, along with a couple of those 'why doesn't the character just ?' moments, which hurt the overall effectiveness of the film. The score is a bit over the top too.
But, for any faults it's still a well made, thinking person's thriller, worth seeking out if you're a fan of the genre or the elements.
He's got one friend left.
hitchcockthelegend17 February 2014
Across the Bridge is directed by Ken Annakin and adapted to screenplay by Guy Elmes and Dennis Freeman for a Graham Greene story. It stars Rod Steiger, David Knight, Marla Landi, Noel Willman, Bernard Lee and Eric Pohlmann. Music is by James Bernard and cinematography by Reginald Wyer.
High powered business man Carl Schaffner (Steiger) is crooked and the net is finally closing in on him. Fleeing to Mexico he initiates a sequence of events that finds him taking on the identity of another man. If he thought this was going to be his way out of a jam? He has no idea...
The implosion of a morally corrupt shyster drives this excellent and under seen Brit noir production. Fronted by Steiger turning in one of his greatest performances, he himself called it the second best work he ever did after The Pawnbroker, pic unfolds slowly but grips like a vice until the final third thrusts Schaffner into a world of desperation and solitude. A world inhabited by people not beyond fracturing laws and regulations themselves, and where it dawns on him that the vagaries of fate has stared him in the eyes and laughed at him.
Annakin, himself proclaiming this to be up with his best work, creates a grubby and sweaty Mexican border town to act as the backdrop to Schaffner's mental decay, and with Bernard's ferociously aware musical score pounding on Schaffner's shoulders, atmosphere is set at the high end of Bleakville. Dolores the dog is also a star of the piece, and the most integral of characters as well, putting one in mind immediately of the great Bogart picture High Sierra. Once tale reaches the culmination, where man and dog are to have their respective futures decided on the bridge of the title, suspense is at breaking point and Annakin gives us the coup de grace. Excellent movie. 8.5/10
High powered business man Carl Schaffner (Steiger) is crooked and the net is finally closing in on him. Fleeing to Mexico he initiates a sequence of events that finds him taking on the identity of another man. If he thought this was going to be his way out of a jam? He has no idea...
The implosion of a morally corrupt shyster drives this excellent and under seen Brit noir production. Fronted by Steiger turning in one of his greatest performances, he himself called it the second best work he ever did after The Pawnbroker, pic unfolds slowly but grips like a vice until the final third thrusts Schaffner into a world of desperation and solitude. A world inhabited by people not beyond fracturing laws and regulations themselves, and where it dawns on him that the vagaries of fate has stared him in the eyes and laughed at him.
Annakin, himself proclaiming this to be up with his best work, creates a grubby and sweaty Mexican border town to act as the backdrop to Schaffner's mental decay, and with Bernard's ferociously aware musical score pounding on Schaffner's shoulders, atmosphere is set at the high end of Bleakville. Dolores the dog is also a star of the piece, and the most integral of characters as well, putting one in mind immediately of the great Bogart picture High Sierra. Once tale reaches the culmination, where man and dog are to have their respective futures decided on the bridge of the title, suspense is at breaking point and Annakin gives us the coup de grace. Excellent movie. 8.5/10
"M" nearly gets his man
howardmorley17 November 2013
Bernard Lee made an acting profession playing various detectives, predominately as the first "M" in the Sean Connery era of James Bond from 1962.Before this he specialised in playing various policemen like in the subject film made in 1957.He is frustrated by the non-existent extradition treaty between Mexico, the U.S. & the U.K. in his attempts to bring to justice a latter day Robert Maxwell type crooked financier, played by Rod Steiger.A previous reviewer suspected it was filmed on location in Spain to obtain a Mexican type atmosphere and this worked well.There were a few British type actors pretending to be Mexican like Eric Pohlmann and the actor who played the chief of Mexican police whom I have seen in more typical British plots.
However the star of the film for my money was the dog actor who played "Dolores".She had a few expressive close ups with her doggy eyes which were very effective.When Rod Steiger initially rebuffed her, I was concerned that the R.S.P.C.A. would have to intervene.Nowadays when animals appear in films the producers invariably state in the credits "No animals were injured during the making of this film".The plot has already been effectively commented on by other users.Quite enjoyable I awarded it 7/10.
However the star of the film for my money was the dog actor who played "Dolores".She had a few expressive close ups with her doggy eyes which were very effective.When Rod Steiger initially rebuffed her, I was concerned that the R.S.P.C.A. would have to intervene.Nowadays when animals appear in films the producers invariably state in the credits "No animals were injured during the making of this film".The plot has already been effectively commented on by other users.Quite enjoyable I awarded it 7/10.
The Dangers of Assumed Identities
theowinthrop29 October 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this film only twice on television in the late 1960s, and I have not seen it listed too frequently. The plot is from a Graham Greene short story, and like so many of his works Greene questions what we regard as good and evil in the world.
Steiger is a crooked financier on the lam. He boards a train and exchanges identities with another passenger who died on board. He reaches a Latin American country, and crosses the boarder. But the authorities at home are still after him. He did not realize the person whose identity he stole was sought by the U.S. authorities for murder.
Steiger has plenty of money in a suitcase, but he soon discovers that the local authorities see him as something to bleed dry. Everyone jacks up prices for his normal living expenses from the police on down. And the money is slowly running out. The only creature who befriends him is a dog. It remains his only real friend in this town of vultures. He consistently refuses to return to the U.S., where police officer Bernard Lee tries to get him to return. But he realizes that they think he is the murderer, not an embezzler, and he can't return. Moreover, he resents the pressures that are being put on the local authorities to push him back. They are using these to squeeze more cash out of him.
The character Steiger begins as is a selfish crook, but as the film progresses (as is typical of Greene's work) the defects of those around the anti-hero are such as to make us increasingly sympathetic to that figure. As he is stripped, step - by - step of everything, Steiger gains our reluctant pity, and his relationship with the simple dog makes him ... in the end... tragically heroic.
Definitely a wonderful film - hopefully they will show it again soon.
Steiger is a crooked financier on the lam. He boards a train and exchanges identities with another passenger who died on board. He reaches a Latin American country, and crosses the boarder. But the authorities at home are still after him. He did not realize the person whose identity he stole was sought by the U.S. authorities for murder.
Steiger has plenty of money in a suitcase, but he soon discovers that the local authorities see him as something to bleed dry. Everyone jacks up prices for his normal living expenses from the police on down. And the money is slowly running out. The only creature who befriends him is a dog. It remains his only real friend in this town of vultures. He consistently refuses to return to the U.S., where police officer Bernard Lee tries to get him to return. But he realizes that they think he is the murderer, not an embezzler, and he can't return. Moreover, he resents the pressures that are being put on the local authorities to push him back. They are using these to squeeze more cash out of him.
The character Steiger begins as is a selfish crook, but as the film progresses (as is typical of Greene's work) the defects of those around the anti-hero are such as to make us increasingly sympathetic to that figure. As he is stripped, step - by - step of everything, Steiger gains our reluctant pity, and his relationship with the simple dog makes him ... in the end... tragically heroic.
Definitely a wonderful film - hopefully they will show it again soon.
Crook's best friend.
st-shot4 January 2020
Rod Steiger gives one of his finest performances in this riches to rags scheme about an embezzler unable to keep his emotions in check. Transitioning from an arrogant sartorial elitist to a border town bum he manages to evoke both detestation and pity from the audience as his corrupt plan begins to disintegrate.
Financier Karl Schaefer has some stolen funds transferred to a Mexican bank and he leaves town to collect. However authorities are soon on to him and he's forced to harshly switch identities with someone on a train. He ends up with the man's dog, attempts to abandon it but it saves his life. The cash is frozen, Schaefer penniless is now trapped with his dog at the border with a Detective Seargent in wait on the other side looking for a way to lure him back.
Basically a one man show by Stieger (w/ dog) his deconstruction is both deserved and pitiable as he's literally brought to his knees.
Spain subbing for a Mexican border town has an authentic look, while the forbidding bridge is given a life of its own.
Financier Karl Schaefer has some stolen funds transferred to a Mexican bank and he leaves town to collect. However authorities are soon on to him and he's forced to harshly switch identities with someone on a train. He ends up with the man's dog, attempts to abandon it but it saves his life. The cash is frozen, Schaefer penniless is now trapped with his dog at the border with a Detective Seargent in wait on the other side looking for a way to lure him back.
Basically a one man show by Stieger (w/ dog) his deconstruction is both deserved and pitiable as he's literally brought to his knees.
Spain subbing for a Mexican border town has an authentic look, while the forbidding bridge is given a life of its own.
A man hopelessly lost is ultimately redeemed by a dog
clanciai19 September 2018
This is a very remarkable morality by Graham Greene, telling the story of a rich man escaping from justice, meeting with worse adversities at each new turn and effort to get further away, with both some bizarre twists to the tale and some very touching moments. He is played by Rod Steiger, who specialised in highly debatable and unpleasant characters, of which this is one of his worst and most upsetting. It's a very pathetic and depressing story, mostly reminding of Erich von Stroheim's "Greed" - this is the same kind of abyss into the dead end which any fixation wit greed must lead into. However, there is a dog who saves the situation.
It is also remindful of "The Scar" with Paul Henreid with a similar intrigue of an escapee from justice changing his identity and finding his new identity a worse trap than the discarded one. However, the film makes you think and shows some depth, like all Graham Greene's stories, of understanding into human nature, and is admirable for its sustained consistence in demonstrating the inevitability of the teachings of fate. Noel Willman makes a wonderful Mexican police officer, and Bernard Lee seconds him.
It is also remindful of "The Scar" with Paul Henreid with a similar intrigue of an escapee from justice changing his identity and finding his new identity a worse trap than the discarded one. However, the film makes you think and shows some depth, like all Graham Greene's stories, of understanding into human nature, and is admirable for its sustained consistence in demonstrating the inevitability of the teachings of fate. Noel Willman makes a wonderful Mexican police officer, and Bernard Lee seconds him.
Masterfully Done
jmverville10 December 2004
I was impressed with the originality of the film and story, and the effectiveness of the portrayal. Rod Steiger does a tremendous job of performing in this film, from start to finish, showing us a dramatic performance in a very interesting story. Ken Annakin is very adept at controlling your emotions, with ease making you feel estranged from the main character when he feels, and at other times making you feel extremely intimate.
The symbolism used is also impressive with the use of the dog representing what he traditionally does (loyalty, fidelity). With the extensive use of symbolism and vivid, personal capturing of the downfall of a business tycoon, we have our emotions beautifully twisted and find ourselves with one of the better endings that one can have to a film.
Although at times throughout the film I sometimes felt lost and that it dragged on, overall it was still a good film that I would recommend to anyone. A very worthwhile film from Ken Annakin.
The symbolism used is also impressive with the use of the dog representing what he traditionally does (loyalty, fidelity). With the extensive use of symbolism and vivid, personal capturing of the downfall of a business tycoon, we have our emotions beautifully twisted and find ourselves with one of the better endings that one can have to a film.
Although at times throughout the film I sometimes felt lost and that it dragged on, overall it was still a good film that I would recommend to anyone. A very worthwhile film from Ken Annakin.
Brilliantly written.
planktonrules18 January 2019
"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.
One worth seeking out
MOscarbradley25 February 2015
Of all the films made from the novels and stories of Graham Greene, "Across the Bridge" is probably the least known and least appreciated which is a pity as it's actually very good, (it's much, much better than John Ford's "The Fugitive", his feeble attempt to film "The Power and the Glory"). Of course, with a better director than Ken Annakin and a better supporting cast it might have been perfect. As it is, it's entirely reliant on its plot, which is gripping, and a sterling performance from Rod Steiger, to hold our interest.
He's Carl Schaffner, a crooked businessman who, in an attempt to escape justice, assumes the identity of the man he thinks he's killed and who just happens to be a murderer. It's a plot not dissimilar to that of Antonioni's later "The Passenger" and if this film is never in that class, neither does it deserve to be overlooked. Worth seeking out.
He's Carl Schaffner, a crooked businessman who, in an attempt to escape justice, assumes the identity of the man he thinks he's killed and who just happens to be a murderer. It's a plot not dissimilar to that of Antonioni's later "The Passenger" and if this film is never in that class, neither does it deserve to be overlooked. Worth seeking out.
Unfortunately Maudlin
oOgiandujaOo_and_Eddy_Merckx30 December 2007
I came to this film via in interest in Rod Steiger, though to tell the truth I am also rather a noir maven.
I was disappointed with the script. The key problem is the fact that the plot has a level of contrivance beyond the furthest sky-scraping ambitions of Alfred Hitchcock. One of the main appeals of noir is to show how people can become the desperate victims of chance, Detour is a particularly good example of where this is made to work perfectly, In Across the Bridge the model is stretched and exaggerated.
The premise of the movie is intriguing, the fall of a plutocrat, a man once powerful who will become reduced to penury, indigency and pariah status, ultimately caught up in the noir grinder. The contrivances that are used to get from A to B though really test one's patience. There are coincidences of the most bizarre variety that you will rarely find in any farce. The film also becomes unabashedly sentimental, and starts to centre around Schaffner's companionship with the dog Delores.
There is an element in reviews of this film of seeing the past through rose-tinted spectacles. The film was unavailable for home viewing for a long time and seemed to have lapsed into obscurity. It doesn't deserve that fate, but it is certainly not the noir masterpiece it is made out to be.
I was disappointed with the script. The key problem is the fact that the plot has a level of contrivance beyond the furthest sky-scraping ambitions of Alfred Hitchcock. One of the main appeals of noir is to show how people can become the desperate victims of chance, Detour is a particularly good example of where this is made to work perfectly, In Across the Bridge the model is stretched and exaggerated.
The premise of the movie is intriguing, the fall of a plutocrat, a man once powerful who will become reduced to penury, indigency and pariah status, ultimately caught up in the noir grinder. The contrivances that are used to get from A to B though really test one's patience. There are coincidences of the most bizarre variety that you will rarely find in any farce. The film also becomes unabashedly sentimental, and starts to centre around Schaffner's companionship with the dog Delores.
There is an element in reviews of this film of seeing the past through rose-tinted spectacles. The film was unavailable for home viewing for a long time and seemed to have lapsed into obscurity. It doesn't deserve that fate, but it is certainly not the noir masterpiece it is made out to be.
Haven't seen it in 49 years
manxcat-51 August 2006
Well, I haven't seen this movie since I was 7 years old but I have never forgotten it either. The first reviewer is right about this being one of those movies that seems almost forgotten... probably because the message is so downbeat... disturbing and very sad (But then somebody will remember it after 49+ years) This is one of those movies that couldn't have been done in color because it is so bleak. I am going to look for a copy of this movie and see it again before I can really review it... I thought "Old Yeller," was the world's best movie until I saw it again as an adult and it might be this way with Across the Bridge as well.
A bit slow and contrived .............
merklekranz5 July 2013
"Across the Bridge" has an intriguing opening as embezzler, Rod Steiger, switches identities with an assassin who turns out is wanted even more by the police than Steiger is. This promising beginning eventually leads to at least a bunch of what seem like very contrived coincidences in a Mexican border town. This is not a bad film, and Rod Steiger gives a first rate performance, but the lack of believability brought about by the questionable script contrivances, drags everything down a notch or two. What could have been a spectacular film, along the lines of "Touch of Evil", is really no more than a slightly above average movie. - MERK
His bridge to freedom comes with a price.
mark.waltz24 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
When you steal someone's identity, you better make sure that they have a clean past. That's what indicted ruthless business man Rod Steiger finds out, escaping into Mexico with a man's passport form he left for dead and ending up accused for political assassination. He must prove that he is not home his passport claims to be even though he has his original passport. But looking exactly like the assassin, he is held by the Mexican government and soon tries to face the consequences for his business crimes in order to at least be extradited back to America where he knows he will be treated fairly. But America apparently does not want him, and the only constant companion he ends up is with the assassin's dog who has followed him all over Mexico.
The powerful performance by Rod Steiger in this version of The Graham Greene storyline is appropriately detail story of a man for whom there is no redemption. Who becomes persona non grata, and even with a lot of money on him, will not be served anywhere and the humiliation and degradation he receives turns him into a Jean Valjean who is undeserving of justice. In spite of the dour story and the way it is presented, you cannot take your eyes away from the screen. The performances are detailed and the photography, editing and direction are excellent. This is an analogy of a man suffering through a living death, and indeed, finding out that there is hell on Earth.
The powerful performance by Rod Steiger in this version of The Graham Greene storyline is appropriately detail story of a man for whom there is no redemption. Who becomes persona non grata, and even with a lot of money on him, will not be served anywhere and the humiliation and degradation he receives turns him into a Jean Valjean who is undeserving of justice. In spite of the dour story and the way it is presented, you cannot take your eyes away from the screen. The performances are detailed and the photography, editing and direction are excellent. This is an analogy of a man suffering through a living death, and indeed, finding out that there is hell on Earth.
a man and his dog
blanche-25 January 2022
Well, why not be upfront and say I HATE this kind of movie. Why? The dog! I see a dog, and I'm a wreck for it during the entire film.
Rod Steiger plays a Carl, a businessman who is about to be exposed for a huge deficit in his company. He decides to go to Mexico by train. He can escape extradition for a few months, and by the time they can extradite him, he'll be gone. The problem is, he has no passport, but he'll worry about that when the time comes.
On the train is a man, Paul Scarff, also enroute to Mexico with his dog Delores, who is in the baggage compartment. Since Scarff has a Mexican passport, Carl drugs him and steals it. He spends time making himself look like the photo - not hard, as the man is brunette with tinted glasses. He then throws Scarff off the train.
Carl learns from newspaper clippings Scarff has kept that he has a 100,000 peso reward on his head for a political assassination. As Carl is leaving the train, the baggage handler reminds him about Delores. Stuck with a dog he doesn't want, Carl tries dumping her, but the dog won't leave him.
As it turns out, Scarff isn't dead, and is found by Johnny (David Knight) who works at a motel. He is brought there, and his injuries are treated. He is, however, very infirm, with a broken leg. T
When Carl arrives and gets a cabin at the motel also. When he gets grease on his jacket, Johnny goes to clean it and he sees the clippings. And he wants the 100,000 pesos.
When Carl is ready to leave, Johnny offers him a ride, then pulls a gun on him and takes him to the sheriff in Mexico. When Carl is accused of being Scarff, he informs the sheriff where the Scarff is. Scarff is killed when arrest is attempted.
By now, of course, everyone knows Carl is Carl Schaeffer, looking at 10 years in prison. The U. S. wants to get Carl over the line at the bridge so that they can arrest him - otherwise, he is in Mexico as a free man.
This is an excellent film, based on a story by Graham Greene, and Rod Steiger is brilliant as Carl - a cruel, cold man who finally discovers he has only one friend left. Delores is great too. I realize she was important to the story, but I wish she hadn't been in it. I hate animals in movies.
Rod Steiger plays a Carl, a businessman who is about to be exposed for a huge deficit in his company. He decides to go to Mexico by train. He can escape extradition for a few months, and by the time they can extradite him, he'll be gone. The problem is, he has no passport, but he'll worry about that when the time comes.
On the train is a man, Paul Scarff, also enroute to Mexico with his dog Delores, who is in the baggage compartment. Since Scarff has a Mexican passport, Carl drugs him and steals it. He spends time making himself look like the photo - not hard, as the man is brunette with tinted glasses. He then throws Scarff off the train.
Carl learns from newspaper clippings Scarff has kept that he has a 100,000 peso reward on his head for a political assassination. As Carl is leaving the train, the baggage handler reminds him about Delores. Stuck with a dog he doesn't want, Carl tries dumping her, but the dog won't leave him.
As it turns out, Scarff isn't dead, and is found by Johnny (David Knight) who works at a motel. He is brought there, and his injuries are treated. He is, however, very infirm, with a broken leg. T
When Carl arrives and gets a cabin at the motel also. When he gets grease on his jacket, Johnny goes to clean it and he sees the clippings. And he wants the 100,000 pesos.
When Carl is ready to leave, Johnny offers him a ride, then pulls a gun on him and takes him to the sheriff in Mexico. When Carl is accused of being Scarff, he informs the sheriff where the Scarff is. Scarff is killed when arrest is attempted.
By now, of course, everyone knows Carl is Carl Schaeffer, looking at 10 years in prison. The U. S. wants to get Carl over the line at the bridge so that they can arrest him - otherwise, he is in Mexico as a free man.
This is an excellent film, based on a story by Graham Greene, and Rod Steiger is brilliant as Carl - a cruel, cold man who finally discovers he has only one friend left. Delores is great too. I realize she was important to the story, but I wish she hadn't been in it. I hate animals in movies.
A Man and his Dog
kapelusznik1814 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
****SPOILERS**** Hidden gem of a movie with Rod Steiger as unscrupulous heel and multi million dollar embezzler, of his own brokerage firm, Carl Schaffner who after stealing someone's identity, by getting him drunk and throwing him off a moving train, tries to escape justice. It's then that Schaffner finds that the person who's identity he stole is on the lamb murderer Mr. Cooper, Alan Gifford,who's wanted by the Mexican police. With the choice of staying in Mexico to prevent himself from being arrested in the US for grand larceny Schaffner, after proving that he isn't in fact Mr. Cooper, faces a catch-22 situation.: Spend the rest of his life in total poverty without access to the millions he has stashed away in Mexico; Or going back in the US to spend 5 to 10 years behind bars and then be free to live off his vast amount of his hidden, in numbered bank accounts, ill gotten gains.
As it turned out it was the badly injured Cooper who was later killed in a police shoot-out in his motel room on the US side of the border and then had his stranded and owner-less pet dog Dolores become attach to Schaffner whom he at first wanted no part of. It was Dolores' dog like loyalty to Schaffner who despite all the mental abuse she took from him that in the end won him over to her side. A the time the movie was about to end Schaffner forgot about freedom or money but only wanted to be together with his new found friend or dog Dolores. So much so to when the authorities in both the US and Mexico used the pooch by tying her up on the bridge yards on the USA side of the border in order to get him to go get her and expose himself to arrest!
***SPOILERS**** Tear and gut crunching final with a by now not at all caring about himself Schaffner risking his both freedom as well as life to get the only friend he has in the world Dolores back with, for him, disastrous results. The final scene with Schaffner while trying to get Dolores back to the Mexcian side of the bridge was almost too painful to watch. He in fact risked and lost his life for a dog he at first wanted no part of. But later found out that Dolores was by far more important to him then his freedom as well as money and the only one in the world, with everyone who ended up jumping ship on him, who ever really cared about him.
As it turned out it was the badly injured Cooper who was later killed in a police shoot-out in his motel room on the US side of the border and then had his stranded and owner-less pet dog Dolores become attach to Schaffner whom he at first wanted no part of. It was Dolores' dog like loyalty to Schaffner who despite all the mental abuse she took from him that in the end won him over to her side. A the time the movie was about to end Schaffner forgot about freedom or money but only wanted to be together with his new found friend or dog Dolores. So much so to when the authorities in both the US and Mexico used the pooch by tying her up on the bridge yards on the USA side of the border in order to get him to go get her and expose himself to arrest!
***SPOILERS**** Tear and gut crunching final with a by now not at all caring about himself Schaffner risking his both freedom as well as life to get the only friend he has in the world Dolores back with, for him, disastrous results. The final scene with Schaffner while trying to get Dolores back to the Mexcian side of the bridge was almost too painful to watch. He in fact risked and lost his life for a dog he at first wanted no part of. But later found out that Dolores was by far more important to him then his freedom as well as money and the only one in the world, with everyone who ended up jumping ship on him, who ever really cared about him.
Across the Bridge
CinemaSerf14 November 2022
Talk about hoist by your own petard! Rod Steiger is the manipulative British/German businessman "Chaffner" who has embezzled a great deal of money from his business. Bent on escape from the USA to Mexico, he gets his train timings wrong! Facing capture, he drugs a fellow passenger and steals his identity. Initially that seems like a good idea, he even makes it to Mexico - only there does he discover that the man he is pretending to be is even worse than him and the Mexican authorities, as well as pursuing Scotland Yard Inspector "Hayden" (Bernard Lee) turn the tables on their quarry in an ingenious and rather cruel, effective and ostracising manner. Steiger is really good here as his situation becomes more and more desperate. The tight photography from Reginald Wyer coupled with some taut direction from Ken Annakin and scoring from James Bernard work well to illustrate to us just how how unwelcoming his new home was - indeed, he was lucky that a stray dog decided to befriend him! I liked the ending - it had a clever sense of vindication and though this pace is a bit lethargic at times, this is well worth watching for Steiger on his own.
Unique.
suchenwi5 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
After over a year, I watched Across The Bridge again, as companion piece to Treasure of the Sierra Madre. I had forgotten some of the twists and turns it takes, but enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
My spontaneous reaction at the first time ("Citizen Kane meets Casablanca") still holds. It has the downfall of the rich and powerful man theme, as well as the strandedness under the whim of border bureaucracy. And much more... not to mention the dog.
Of course it's dated, but that is no point against an old film. I loved watching it again, and reconfirm that this piece has several topics that I haven't seen in any other film - just to start with the borderline drawn across the bridge. I look forward to watching this again. 9/10.
My spontaneous reaction at the first time ("Citizen Kane meets Casablanca") still holds. It has the downfall of the rich and powerful man theme, as well as the strandedness under the whim of border bureaucracy. And much more... not to mention the dog.
Of course it's dated, but that is no point against an old film. I loved watching it again, and reconfirm that this piece has several topics that I haven't seen in any other film - just to start with the borderline drawn across the bridge. I look forward to watching this again. 9/10.
Good direction, fair script, over the top Steiger performance
adrianovasconcelos7 April 2022
Ken Annakin, a director not known for masterpieces but for trusty box office returns, takes an unusually serious approach in ACROSS THE BRIDGE, a dour British film interestingly enough filmed at Pinewood Studios but with the action taking place in US and Mexican territory.
The script is fair, with some credible twists and characters. Sadly, Steiger dominates the film with an over the top performance that rather jaggers things, taking your attention away from the subtlety of developments in the original story by British author Graham Greene. Thankfully, his histrionics are balanced by the restraint of superior contributions from Bernard Lee, as the Scotland Yard inspector trying to have Steiger extradited from Mexico; Paul Nagy, as the criminal he throws out of a train and whose passport he swipes; beautiful Maria Landi and David Knight as the couple seeking happiness at Steiger's cost; and Noel Willman as the corrupt chief of Mexican Police (Willman's facial nuances and controlled voice are memorable as he engages in a balancing act for his own benefit, though I found myself having to suspend my disbelief in that his underlings would speak in Spanish and he, the chief, in English).
Best of all, the contribution from a Cocker Spaniel canine called Dolores, who really steals the show with her sweet eyes soaring spiritually above the sordidness and pettiness of the human estate.
The part about the local population boycotting Steiger seems too contrived, and costs my rating another star.
Photography by Reginald Wyer is typically economical and effective, as in most British B&W films of the 1950s.
Worth watching, despite the above mentioned flaws. 7/10.
The script is fair, with some credible twists and characters. Sadly, Steiger dominates the film with an over the top performance that rather jaggers things, taking your attention away from the subtlety of developments in the original story by British author Graham Greene. Thankfully, his histrionics are balanced by the restraint of superior contributions from Bernard Lee, as the Scotland Yard inspector trying to have Steiger extradited from Mexico; Paul Nagy, as the criminal he throws out of a train and whose passport he swipes; beautiful Maria Landi and David Knight as the couple seeking happiness at Steiger's cost; and Noel Willman as the corrupt chief of Mexican Police (Willman's facial nuances and controlled voice are memorable as he engages in a balancing act for his own benefit, though I found myself having to suspend my disbelief in that his underlings would speak in Spanish and he, the chief, in English).
Best of all, the contribution from a Cocker Spaniel canine called Dolores, who really steals the show with her sweet eyes soaring spiritually above the sordidness and pettiness of the human estate.
The part about the local population boycotting Steiger seems too contrived, and costs my rating another star.
Photography by Reginald Wyer is typically economical and effective, as in most British B&W films of the 1950s.
Worth watching, despite the above mentioned flaws. 7/10.
Across the bridge.
barry-hiscoke2 March 2014
Like many of the reviewers I have been racking my brains to remember the title of this movie and am so glad that I have finally nailed it. I cannot wait to obtain a copy and revisit another brilliant performance by Rod Steiger in this film adaptation of the Graham Green novel. I saw the film at my local cinema when it was first released back in the 50's, I think I was 13yrs old at the time. The plight of Steiger's character and that of the dog he befriends moved me to tears. I still have an image of them huddled together against the cold in a makeshift shelter on the bank of the river, so near, but so far from salvation. If you have not seen this film yet, please do, it will be worth the effort.
CONTAINS SPOILERS Why isn't this film more famous?
RalphRobertMoore9 November 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Like other reviewers here, I saw Across the Bridge decades ago, but have never forgotten it.
Rod Steiger plays a powerful, self-centered financier whose business empire, at the beginning of the film, is starting to crumble under charges of illegalities. He flees for Mexico on a train with a suitcase full of money.
His disregard for others is confirmed when he casually murders a fellow train passenger in order to assume his identity and pass across the border.
Once in Mexico, the authorities, under pressure from U.S. officials, put pressure on him to return "across the bridge" to the United States, so that he can be arrested. Most of the film is concerned with the slow stripping away of this once-powerful man's options, to where he is left sleeping on the streets, befriended only by a dog. The ending of the film is emotionally powerful, and probably the main reason why so many of us have never forgotten this movie.
Since I wrote this review, I've seen the film again, on DVD (in 2005). It does not hold up that well. There's a subplot I had completely forgotten about. I realize now what I remembered about the film was highly selective. In truth, the movie has some interesting parts, but it's not the classic I remembered it being. By all means see it, but it's rather dated.
Rod Steiger plays a powerful, self-centered financier whose business empire, at the beginning of the film, is starting to crumble under charges of illegalities. He flees for Mexico on a train with a suitcase full of money.
His disregard for others is confirmed when he casually murders a fellow train passenger in order to assume his identity and pass across the border.
Once in Mexico, the authorities, under pressure from U.S. officials, put pressure on him to return "across the bridge" to the United States, so that he can be arrested. Most of the film is concerned with the slow stripping away of this once-powerful man's options, to where he is left sleeping on the streets, befriended only by a dog. The ending of the film is emotionally powerful, and probably the main reason why so many of us have never forgotten this movie.
Since I wrote this review, I've seen the film again, on DVD (in 2005). It does not hold up that well. There's a subplot I had completely forgotten about. I realize now what I remembered about the film was highly selective. In truth, the movie has some interesting parts, but it's not the classic I remembered it being. By all means see it, but it's rather dated.
Rod Steiger StunS!
bumrucker31124 October 2004
In this film, which my ex-English teacher lent to me to show me what kind of cinematic experiences I've been missing out on, I was so confused until the very end about which actor was Rod Steiger. After seeing Mr. Steiger in Elia Kazan's On the Waterfront, I was convinced that he was only that. But it was when the end credits came up that I was utterly taken aback and mortified by the way it said Carl Schraffner...........Rod Steiger! It was indeed the man with the funny accent and the simply blended performance that was one of my personal favorites. This is indeed a hidden cinematic masterpiece and is highly underrated, and deserves a lot more credit than it got. I can't believe this didn't even get nominated for an Oscar. I thought the overall production was fantastic, all of the actors, especially Rod Steiger, and the direction were fantastic! The writing could've been upped a notch, but otherwise, this film left me speechless and yearning for more. But one thing that I didn't like was the dissatisfaction in the end.
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