Rating of
4/4
"What does it matter what you say about people?"
Arbogast1960 - wrote on 03/27/08
Considering that it had to be pieced together based upon a Welles memo after Universal chopped it up--and that it contains the seemingly laughable sight of Charlton Heston portraying a Mexican--it's astonishing that this film is even watchable. But it's much more than that. The opening is justly revered, with it's long dolly shot from a henchman's bomb planting through the nightlife of a border town to an exploding car. The performances are marvelous (including Welles, not always the most reliable of actors; Heston, whose bombast works in his favor as the righteous police officer; Leigh, as Heston's frightened but strong wife; and Marlene Dietrich as an enigmatic madam). As usual, Welles' camerawork is wonderful: great canted angles (especially the low angles of his monstrous Quinlan) and shadows. And did I mention that Charlton Heston plays a Mexican? Oh, old Hollywood, you never cease to amuse.
