Watch Touch of Evil

Touch of Evil is a dramatic crime thriller film that hit the screens in 1958. The film is a classic masterpiece that is directed, written, and co-starred by the legendary Orson Welles. The movie features an impressive ensemble cast that includes big names like Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, and Marlene Dietrich, among others. The movie has become famous for its iconic opening tracking shot which remains one of the most celebrated moments in cinema history.

The plot of the movie is set in a border town between Mexico and the United States. A car bomb explodes in the town, killing a wealthy American businessman and his Mexican girlfriend. This incident draws the attention of many, including a Mexican narcotics officer named Ramon Miguel "Mike" Vargas (Charlton Heston), who is on honeymoon with his wife Susan (Janet Leigh). Mike and Susan get tangled in a messy web of conspiracies that involve the police department, the local crime lord Tanya (Marlene Dietrich), and a corrupt American law enforcement officer, Captain Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles).

The film explores the moral decadence of the law enforcement agencies who abuse their powers in a small border town, where corruption and cover-ups are rampant. The movie highlights the tension between the American and Mexican border towns and the racial discrimination that exists between the two. The lead protagonist, Mike Vargas, represents the oppressed Mexican communities and attempts to uncover the truth behind the car bombing and the corrupt police department in the town.

The movie is a visual treat, with Orson Welles using extended tracking shots, striking cinematography, and creative editing to create a unique cinematic feel. The film shadows the characters' emotions, featuring extreme close-ups and dutch angles that used creative camera techniques to bring the audience closer to the story.

Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh's performances in the film are noteworthy, with both bringing a sense of urgency to their characters. Heston delivers an impressive portrayal of an intelligent man filled with integrity and fighting for justice against the corrupt authorities. Janet Leigh's character Susan, on the other hand, serves as the emotional anchor in the movie, providing a sense of normalcy against the gritty world of crime and dishonesty.

However, the stand-out performance of the film is undoubtedly by Orson Welles, who delivers a powerhouse performance as the corrupt Captain Hank Quinlan. Welles's character is manipulative, abusive, and corrupt, continually scheming with his men to cover-up his misdeeds. His portrayal of the character is so immersive that it is easy to forget that he is the director of the film as well.

Touch of Evil is a movie that transcends time, with many of the themes and issues raised in the movie still relevant today. The film is an excellent example of noir cinema and features iconic scenes, including the opening tracking shot, a border interrogation scene, and a thrilling climax set in a carnival. The film uses stark lighting, shadows, and black and white imagery to create a striking visual experience.

In conclusion, Touch of Evil is an essential watch for all movie buffs. The film's themes of corruption, race, and abuse of power are still relevant today, and the performances of its ensemble cast, especially Orson Welles, are impressive. The movie's cinematic techniques and striking visual imagery round out its status as a classic piece of cinema history.

Touch of Evil is a 1958 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received outstanding reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0 and a MetaScore of 99.