Review of Touch of Evil (1958) by Hayley D — 22 May 2010
(This review refers to the 1998 restored version, based on Orson Welles' original intentions of how the film should be edited, not the 1958 original version).
Great crime-thriller. Orson Welles demonstrates his directing genius, though the even-more-brilliant Citizen Kane would already have been proof of that. The camera angles, the lighting, the pacing, it is all perfect.
As in Citizen Kane, he acts in his own movie, and does an amazing job. His performance as the crooked police captain Hank Quinlan is one of the great portrayals of a villain in cinematic history.
The script (which Orson Welles wrote, adapted from a book) is a bit weak at times, though, and some scenes just don't gel completely. In addition, Charlton Heston was miscast. The role needed a good dramatic actor, not a one-dimensional action actor. Fortunately his presence is overshadowed by that of Welles, and the stunning Janet Leigh.
The cast is also interesting for the appearances of Dennis Weaver, Marlene Dietrich and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
A classic amongst thrillers.
This review of Touch of Evil (1958) was written by Hayley D on 22 May 2010.
Touch of Evil has generally received very positive reviews.
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