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Touch of Evil

Play trailer Poster for Touch of Evil 1958 1h 35m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 85 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
When a car bomb explodes on the American side of the U.S./Mexico border, Mexican drug enforcement agent Miguel Vargas (Charlton Heston) begins his investigation, along with American police captain Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles). When Vargas begins to suspect that Quinlan and his shady partner, Menzies (Joseph Calleia), are planting evidence to frame an innocent man, his investigations into their possible corruption quickly put himself and his new bride, Susie (Janet Leigh), in jeopardy.
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Touch of Evil

Touch of Evil

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Critics Consensus

Artistically innovative and emotionally gripping, Orson Welles' classic noir is a visual treat, as well as a dark, sinister thriller.

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Critics Reviews

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Fred Camper Chicago Reader 06/16/2022
4/4
But as masterful as Welles’s filming is, what makes Touch of Evil a staggering masterpiece is the global quality of his style... Go to Full Review Budd Wilkins Slant Magazine 04/25/2022
Classic film noirs epitome and epitaph, Orson Welless Touch of Evil gets a stunning new UHD upgrade from Kino Lorber. Go to Full Review Xan Brooks Independent (UK) 03/20/2019
5/5
Citizen Kane may be the more weighty, rounded work, but Touch of Evil is a heap more fun. Go to Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault 11/29/2022
A+
It's a full toybox, or candy box, fattening and immensely pleasurable. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 11/14/2022
4.5/5
The film noir genre's visual style has Touch of Evil to thank for its contributions in sound and cinematography as Orson Welles and Russell Metty are a match made in heaven. Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/27/2022
4.5/5
“Touch of Evil” is a movie filled with craft and vision. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jason H Nov 8 The second half of this movie truly shines. I definitely prefer the Reconstructed Version. See more Mike C Oct 6 Like Dickens' greatest stories, the flaws of this film are on the same epic scale as the crystal, but you forgive the flaws, crystal is eternally crystal See more John S Jul 5 I watched the re-edited version of this film and although beautiful to look at, I found it lacking on many levels. This first viewing left me feeling like the popularity of this film is based on how pretty it is, while ignoring huge flaws and very strange performance choices. Perhaps the theatrical version is a better piece(?). The version I watched was an hour and 50 minutes. The opening scene gave me so much hope for a thrilling, suspenseful story but... it vamped and sympathy-proofed itself downhill from there. The reveal of the true villain of this film is not entirely obvious (a plus) but neither is it terribly surprising given the observable behavior of the "evil" touching everything. Like I said "beautiful", but really flawed. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 8 Success in 1 hour and 35 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Georgan G Feb 13 Wow, what a great film noir. The plot is unique, the acting very well done and the cinematography simply superb. See more William B Dec 18 Great movie. Interesting plot. See more Read all reviews
Touch of Evil

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Cast & Crew

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Orson Welles

Director

Charlton Heston

Ramon Miguel "Mike" Vargas

Orson Welles

Police Captain Hank Quinlan

Janet Leigh

Susan "Susie" Vargas

Joseph Calleia

Police Sergeant Pete Menzies

Akim Tamiroff

Uncle Joe Grandi

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Touch of Evil

Touch of Evil (1958) Touch of Evil (1958) Touch of Evil (1958) Touch of Evil (1958) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When a car bomb explodes on the American side of the U.S./Mexico border, Mexican drug enforcement agent Miguel Vargas (Charlton Heston) begins his investigation, along with American police captain Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles). When Vargas begins to suspect that Quinlan and his shady partner, Menzies (Joseph Calleia), are planting evidence to frame an innocent man, his investigations into their possible corruption quickly put himself and his new bride, Susie (Janet Leigh), in jeopardy.
Director
Orson Welles
Producer
Albert Zugsmith
Screenwriter
Orson Welles, Paul Monash, Franklin Coen
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Universal International Pictures
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 18, 2014
Runtime
1h 35m
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