Border Incident

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Border Incident

Released Oct 28, 1949

1h 32m

Crime

Drama

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71%

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7 Reviews

57%

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250+ Ratings

In this topical film noir, a gang smuggles illegal Mexican farmworkers across the California border and kills the immigrants before they can return home. When federal agents Pablo Rodriguez (Ricardo Montalban) and Jack Bearnes (George Murphy) go undercover to overturn the organization, they find themselves face-to-face with its leader, Owen Parkson (Howard da Silva). The agents quickly realize that what began as a routine murder case has become a struggle for survival.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Startling in its brutality.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 17, 2023

Full Review

Kelly Vance

East Bay Express

A richly detailed, unforgettable slice of menace.

Feb 13, 2014

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Tougher, more tactile than anything in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Jun 12, 2010

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Paul Brenner

Filmcritic.com

a film of stylistic virtuosity saddled with a humdrum scenario, yet graced with a few subversive surprises.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 21, 2009

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Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Powerful, both politically and as visual style.

Aug 9, 2007

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Border Incident is a volatile movie, liable to go off at any moment.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 14, 2007

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Audience Member

It is a very good film, just not my liking for the style of noir, personally I prefer the city setting, especially LA for noir, but this is a Anthony Main and John Alton film so it rates high for for the direction and great cinematography

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/29/23

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Audience Member

Painfully lame, especially the dialogue. However, the cinematography is good and the last act is exciting.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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deke p

Very interesting. RICARDO MONTALBAN is GREAT in these old movies. GEORGE MURPHY (before US SENATOR) good. Saw it 1st time on The Movie Channel, 3.19.2020.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Better than I expected. Immigration agents from both sides of the border infiltrating a rather ruthless human smuggling ring. Ricardo Montalban and Howard Da Silva turn in the best performances. A couple of gruesome deaths by 1940s standards.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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ashley h

Border Incident is an okay film. It is about Mexican and American federal agents who tackle a vicious gang exploiting illegal farm workers in southern California. Ricardo Montalban and George Murphy give decent performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. Anthony Mann did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the drama and mystery.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Noir shadows stalk the Imperial Valley. I love the blend of social realism and crime narrative. The cinematography here is masterful, and there are a few plot points that left me genuinely shocked/surprised. One of my favorite films of the studio era.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

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Anthony Mann

Director

Ricardo Montalban

Pablo Rodriguez

George Murphy

Jack Bearnes

Howard Da Silva

Owen Parkson

James Mitchell

Juan Garcia

Arnold Moss

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Synopsis

In this topical film noir, a gang smuggles illegal Mexican farmworkers across the California border and kills the immigrants before they can return home. When federal agents Pablo Rodriguez (Ricardo Montalban) and Jack Bearnes (George Murphy) go undercover to overturn the organization, they find themselves face-to-face with its leader, Owen Parkson (Howard da Silva). The agents quickly realize that what began as a routine murder case has become a struggle for survival.

Director: Anthony Mann
Producer: Nicholas Nayfack
Screenwriter: John C. Higgins, George Zuckerman
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 28, 1949, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 18, 2008
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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