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Touch of Evil (1958)
8.3
Stark, perverse story of murder, kidnapping, and police corruption in Mexican border town. Director:Orson WellesWriters:Orson Welles (screenplay), Whit Masterson (based on the novel "Badge Of Evil" by), and 2 more credits » |
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95 min - 
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Top 250 #129
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3 wins
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Charlton Heston | ... | ||
| Janet Leigh | ... | ||
| Orson Welles | ... | ||
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Joseph Calleia | ... | |
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Akim Tamiroff | ... | |
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Joanna Moore | ... |
Marcia Linnekar
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Ray Collins | ... | |
| Dennis Weaver | ... | ||
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Valentin de Vargas | ... |
Pancho
(as Valentin De Vargas)
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Mort Mills | ... | |
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Victor Millan | ... |
Manelo Sanchez
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Lalo Rios | ... |
Risto
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Michael Sargent | ... |
Pretty Boy
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Phil Harvey | ... |
Blaine
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Joi Lansing | ... |
Zita
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Storyline
Mexican Narcotics officer Ramon Miguel 'Mike' Vargas has to interrupt his honeymoon on the Mexican-US border when an American building contractor is killed after someone places a bomb in his car. He's killed on the US side of the border but it's clear that the bomb was planted on the Mexican side. As a result, Vargas delays his return to Mexico City where he has been mounting a case against the Grandi family crime and narcotics syndicate. Police Captain Hank Quinlan is in charge on the US side and he soon has a suspect, a Mexican named Manolo Sanchez. Vargas is soon onto Quinlan and his Sergeant, Pete Menzies, when he catches them planting evidence to convict Sanchez. With his new American wife, Susie, safely tucked away in a hotel on the US side of the border - or so he thinks - he starts to review Quinlan's earlier cases. While concentrating on the corrupt policeman however, the Grandis have their own plans for Vargas and they start with his wife Susie. Written by garykmcd
Plot Summary | Plot SynopsisTaglines:
The Overwhelming Drama of a Strange Vengeance See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for some violence and drug content (re-rating) (1998 restoration) See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
(France) See more »Also Known As:
Sed de mal See more »Filming Locations:
Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA See more »Box Office
Budget:
$829,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$70,725 (USA) (13 September 1998) (3 Screens) (reissue)Gross:
$2,237,659 (USA) (3 January 1999) (re-issue)Company Credits
Show detailed
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
| Germany: (1998 alternate version) | USA: (1975 alternate version) | USA: (director's cut) | Spain: (DVD edition)Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
In 1957, Orson Welles completed principal photography on TOUCH OF EVIL and edited the first cut. Upon screening the film, the Studio felt it could be improved, shot additional scenes and re-edited it. Welles viewed this new version and within hours wrote a passionate 58-page memo requesting editorial changes. This version represents an attempt to honor those requests and make TOUCH OF EVIL the film Orson Welles envisioned it to be.
"... I close this memo with a very earnest plea that you consent to this brief visual pattern to which I gave so many long hard days of work."
-- Orson Welles See more »
(1958) (uncredited)
Written by Henry Mancini
Performed by United International Orchestra
Conducted by Joseph Gershenson See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Orson Welles dubbed Joseph Cotten's line, "Now you can strain him through a sieve." See more »Goofs
Crew or equipment visible: At the beginning of the famous opening long shot, at the point where the bomb is planted in the trunk of the car, the reflection of a crew member is briefly seen in the upper left hand corner of the screen. See more »Crazy Credits
Opening statement (restored version):In 1957, Orson Welles completed principal photography on TOUCH OF EVIL and edited the first cut. Upon screening the film, the Studio felt it could be improved, shot additional scenes and re-edited it. Welles viewed this new version and within hours wrote a passionate 58-page memo requesting editorial changes. This version represents an attempt to honor those requests and make TOUCH OF EVIL the film Orson Welles envisioned it to be.
"... I close this memo with a very earnest plea that you consent to this brief visual pattern to which I gave so many long hard days of work."
-- Orson Welles See more »
Connections
Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Killer Shrews (#5.7)" (1992) See more »Soundtracks
"Tana's Theme"(1958) (uncredited)
Written by Henry Mancini
Performed by United International Orchestra
Conducted by Joseph Gershenson See more »
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