Touch of Evil (1958) Reviews
- Starring:
- Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, (more)
- Director(s):
- Orson Welles
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- NR
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
Member Reviews
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful This is not one of my favorite movies. Maybe because of all the things people don't like about it makes it a classic because that is what the director wanted his audience to feel. I don't know but ... Read More This is not one of my favorite movies. Maybe because of all the things people don't like about it makes it a classic because that is what the director wanted his audience to feel. I don't know but I come away wanting to take a shower after watching Orson's scenes. He seems to me so dirty and sweaty and nasty. I don't like Heston portraying a Mexican cop because I just couldn't feel him as that part. I think Janet Leigh was just eye candy for this movie. Not a favorite of mine. ~ Susan L. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful I heartily disagree that this film is Welles's version of The Third Man. While the influences were apparently, I only think they helped to improve the film but did not have any leeway over the ... Read More I heartily disagree that this film is Welles's version of The Third Man. While the influences were apparently, I only think they helped to improve the film but did not have any leeway over the plot.
Welles plays a brilliant corrupt cop and the rest of the cast is great, though I didn't particularly care for Charlton Heston in that particular role.
I reccomend the film if you like any Welles film. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful Everything Sin City tried to do with a multi-million dollar budget and state of the art computer design this movie accomplishes with smart directing and camera work. Brooding and atmospheric. An ... Read More Everything Sin City tried to do with a multi-million dollar budget and state of the art computer design this movie accomplishes with smart directing and camera work. Brooding and atmospheric. An overlooked jewel. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful The directing and cinematography are great, BUT ultimately I found the plot to be rather slow moving, and at times boring. Charlton Heston has got the worst accent ever in that he doesn't have one, ... Read More The directing and cinematography are great, BUT ultimately I found the plot to be rather slow moving, and at times boring. Charlton Heston has got the worst accent ever in that he doesn't have one, doesn't even try, and for an actor playing a Mexican, his Spanish was awful.
Many of the side characters are more interesting than Vargas, and I would have far rather put more of a spotlight on them.
My favorite part of the film was the odd Night Manager at the Hotel, I could have watched an entire movie based around that character.
Overall I thought this movie was just ok. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful Touch of Evil is a solid crime thriller. It's one of those old Black and White films that just looks so good you can't help but be captivated. The performances are strong from this all star cast and ... Read More Touch of Evil is a solid crime thriller. It's one of those old Black and White films that just looks so good you can't help but be captivated. The performances are strong from this all star cast and a pleasure to watch. As far as story, it's good, but nothing that hasn't been told before. It's the look of the film and the actors that make this a cut above the rest and a joy to watch. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful Not to be cliche, but "they just dont make them like that anymore!" This is a must have for any film student. Welles does more with lighting alone than most of today's hack directors do with ... Read More Not to be cliche, but "they just dont make them like that anymore!" This is a must have for any film student. Welles does more with lighting alone than most of today's hack directors do with gazillion dollar budgets and overpaid, temperamental pseudo-actors. Not the most politically correct movie ever made, which probably helps to explain why I liked it so much. This was a thriller without bogging down the plot with a bunch of unnecessary special effects.
-John Cooper, Design Intervention Productions - Akron Ohio Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful A painfully tedious and self-indulgent offering I do not understand how this is considered one of Welles best efforts. While the cinematography is stunning, the casting was silly and the acting was ... Read More A painfully tedious and self-indulgent offering I do not understand how this is considered one of Welles best efforts. While the cinematography is stunning, the casting was silly and the acting was overdone. For every superlative statement that can be made about the cinematography there is pejorative counter statement about the acting. I watched the film twice from beginning to end certain my opinion from the first viewing had to be the result of a bad day. I just knew I must have had it wrong the first time. I had it right the first time. It appears the studio had it right the first time. Welles version of the film is a monument to hubris and self-indulgence. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful Orson Welles made many brilliant films in his career. This is not one of them. The first half is slow and tedious, and the second half is fast and tedious. Charlton Heston is *the* worst-cast ... Read More Orson Welles made many brilliant films in his career. This is not one of them. The first half is slow and tedious, and the second half is fast and tedious. Charlton Heston is *the* worst-cast "Mexican" ever, outside a western movie. One bright spot for me was Janet Leigh's feisty un-50's-like character, but she fell into the typical Female Victim eventually.
The studio was right: this film did need improving.
Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful This Welles' retelling of The Third Man. He has reset the story in Tijuana (or someplace very much like it) and has lots of menacing and ultimately ridiculous characters. Charlton Heston and Janet ... Read More This Welles' retelling of The Third Man. He has reset the story in Tijuana (or someplace very much like it) and has lots of menacing and ultimately ridiculous characters. Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh's characters could not be more absurd. (Janet has a gun but forgets it in a crucial scene among other absurdities.) Dennis Weaver does do a nice turn as the strangest inn keeper ever. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
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