Orson Welles - Touch of Evil (1958)

An automobile is blown up as it crosses the Mexican border into the United States. Mike Vargas, a high ranking Mexican narcotics official on honeymoon with his bride Susie is drawn into the investigation because a Mexican national has been accused of the crime. The figurative and physical presence of Hank Quinlan as the 330 pound sheriff looms all over. Quinlan is a fanatic where "justice" is concerned, even if obtaining it involves planting evidence. Quinlan's reputation for law and order enables him to bend the law without question until Vargas confronts him. From that point on, it's a battle of wits between the two that, with an accelerating pace, rushes to a climax.





When I first saw "Touch of Evil," I was glued to the chair. When I found out it was not Welles' definitive vision, I wondered how on earth it could have been made better. And when I saw the re-released version, I wondered why the studio altered it. The stunning black-and-white images, the intricate plot, and the powerful, engaging performances took a hold of my imagination. At times, I imagined myself on the street with the characters, because the atmosphere was so thick I felt surrounded in it. The actors all did an outstanding job, especially Leigh and Heston (who, although not thoroughly convincing as a Mexican, soared above his usual powerful, furious presence). This is Welles' picture, however, and whenever the camera catches his obese figure, you are fully aware of the man as a director and an actor. His powerful vision drives the film, from the single-cut opening sequence to the cat-and-mouse finale. I suggest watching the 1998 restored version over the original theatrical release, but regardless of which version, "Touch of Evil" will have you stuck in your seat, questioning your views of morality until long after the last credit has rolled up the screen. (IMDB user comment)







Sed de mal
En un pueblo mexicano fronterizo con los Estados Unidos el policía Mike Vargas (Charlton Heston) acaba de contraer matrimonio con la norteamericana Susan (Janet Leigh). Cuando están a punto de iniciar su luna de miel se produce un grave atentado ocasionado por una explosión. Este hecho provoca que Vargas se una a la investigación del caso con Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles), un detective con antecedentes de corrupción y sistemas policiales faltos de integridad. Intriga criminal establecida en la frontera entre México y los Estados Unidos que sirve al gran Orson Welles para ofertarnos una aguda penetración psicológica de un policía amargado por la pérdida de su esposa, quien en sus investigaciones en pos de la esclaración delictiva no escatimará ningún método probatorio, sea legal o ilegal...





La Soif du Mal
À Los Robles, ville frontière entre les États-Unis et le Mexique, un notable meurt dans un attentat. L’enquête qui s’ensuit oppose deux policiers, Vargas, haut fonctionnaire de la police mexicaine, en voyage de noces avec sa jeune épouse américaine, Susan, propose aussitôt son aide au chef de la police locale, Hank Quinlan, peu amène vis-à-vis de ce fringant étranger. Dès lors, le couple est séparé : Vargas part avec les policiers pour les besoins de l’enquête et Susan est entraînée chez Grandi, un caïd local qui la menace. Les pressions exercées sur eux ne cessent d’augmenter. Vargas échappe de justesse à une projection d’acide ; Susan de retour dans sa chambre d’hôtel, est harcelée par un voyeur. Excédée, elle demande à son mari de la conduire en sécurité, dans un motel américain. Elle se retrouve bientôt piégée et violentée par le gang de Grandi, alors que Vargas, de son côté, assiste à la perquisition de l’appartement d’un sus- pect, Sanchez. La tension monte entre les deux policiers...





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