Touch Of Evil (50th Anniversary Edition) |  | Director: Orson Welles
Actors: Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Orson Welles, Marlene Dietrich, Mercedes McCambridge
Studio: Universal Studios
List Price: $26.98
Buy New: $15.57
as of 3/18/2010 16:02 CDT details
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Rating:  172 reviews
Sales Rank: 7816
Format: Black & White, Dolby, DVD, Restored, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 95 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.9
MPN: MCAD61103474D
UPC: 025195027809
EAN: 0025195027809
ASIN: B001CC7PQ2
Theatrical Release Date: 1958
Release Date: October 7, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Movie DVD
Amazon.com essential video
Considered by many to be the greatest B movie ever made, the original-release version of Orson Welles's film noir masterpiece Touch of Evil was, ironically, never intended as a B movie at all--it merely suffered that fate after it was taken away from writer-director Welles, then reedited and released in 1958 as the second half of a double feature. Time and critical acclaim would eventually elevate the film to classic status (and Welles's original vision was meticulously followed for the film's 1998 restoration), but for four decades this original version stood as a testament to Welles's directorial genius. From its astonishing, miraculously choreographed opening shot (lasting over three minutes) to Marlene Dietrich's classic final line of dialogue, this sordid tale of murder and police corruption is like a valentine for the cinematic medium, with Welles as its love-struck suitor. As the corpulent cop who may be involved in a border-town murder, Welles faces opposition from a narcotics officer (Charlton Heston) whose wife (Janet Leigh) is abducted and held as the pawn in a struggle between Heston's quest for truth and Welles's control of carefully hidden secrets. The twisting plot is wildly entertaining (even though it's harder to follow in this original version), but even greater pleasure is found in the pulpy dialogue and the sheer exuberance of the dazzling directorial style. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 172
 For Welles fans only March 7, 2010
R. Swanson (New Mexico)
I love films noir and several of Welles' earlier films. This one is so bad that I was shocked at the huge number of positive reviews.I can only conclude that many, many people are so impressed by a director's reputation that they cannot allow themselves to see the obvious flaws here. I have to wonder if these same people had never heard of Orson Welles or this film, if they would still praise it. I've seen much better films than this which were almost ignored because the director had not made a big name for himself.
Well, I will give the film one star, for the brief appearance of Marlene Dietrich, who was fascinating in her first scene. However, even her dour charm had dimmed by the final shot.
There is so much self-conscious artiness in this film, with such disregard for plot, that it just fails to interest anyone, except perhaps beginning film students who are enamored of his craft and all of the previously-mentioned Welles' fanatics.
Welles was a marvelous actor in his day and there are some moments here where you can see the talent. But as the Dietrich character, a ridiculous Mexican fortune teller, says, he's had too many candy bars.
Charlton Heston is embarassing as a Mexican; no amount of make up can make up for his wooden Waspiness. Janet Leigh is, well, Janet Leigh; she looks good in a tight sweater and that's about all she's called to do. Poor Dennis Weaver gives an over-the-top performance that is almost as pathetic as his character.
The plot is ok, I guess, and there are a lot of cool, really dark and moody scenes. Some are throwbacks to The Third Man, but where they were genuinelly terrifying in that movie, here they just remind you of how great Welles' earlier films were.
Mostly, a very basic flaw---the characters are not engaging. They are not believable. We have to care about them in order to maintain our interest throughout their ordeals, and that just never happened. Too bad. As another reviewer said, the downfall of the cop, played by Welles, sadly parallels his own life.
 Touch of Evil February 16, 2010
R. Corbett (Fort Myers Fl.)
For any true lover of Film noir, this is the ultimate addition to any collection. Super fast shipping time
BEAUTIFULLY COMPOSED DARKNESS February 6, 2010
William C. Belcher (GREENSBORO, NC, US)
This might be the most beautiful black & white film I've ever seen. A stark beauty, but still... The opening shot, which stalks Charlton Heston and Janet Leigh around town for five minutes until the story literally explodes into action is simply amazing, and the film never lets up! Heston is a surprisingly believable Mexican cop, and Welles turns in maybe the best performance of his cinematic career. Incredible camerawork and a sense of menace that just builds and builds. Sometimes Mr. Welles really was a genius. This is one of those times, and no one who loves great movies should miss it.
 Touch of Evil with Weaknesses July 19, 2009
J. Ferguson (Claremont, CA)
1 out of 8 found this review helpful
Touch of Evil is a good film, but it is not a masterpiece. Early in the movie, it is very clear that we are watching actors on a created set, which disturbs the viewer's focus. Sets are fine, but they should not be "visible." A distinct plot weakness is putting the "wife" in an out-of-the-way seedy motel. You see that she will be isolated and thus targeted miles before those sceens arrive. And that she or her seemingly unaware husband would allow her to be put in the situation undermines the "intelligence" of the two. Another weakness is the local crime boss following her to the motel. He does it in such a way that he can't help calling attention to himself and thus getting picked up by the polic. Nice film noir and good acting by Welles even though his techniques are clearly dated. This film really could have been great, but it is not.
 Disappointed June 23, 2009
Elvin Ortiz
1 out of 11 found this review helpful
I disliked the story. It may be great film noir, but I couldn't find the story of corrupt cop compelling. I wasn't convinced by the ending where a very complicated situation is conveniently solved for Heston, the film's hero. I also found quite disturbing the way the film's story maintains its tension with Janet Leigh, playing the sexual bait in the story. This is a motif that is carried on almost throughout the entire film.
I also thought that it was big deal being able to watch the different versions. I don't see any significant changes in interpretation because of the film. Ironically, as in Orson Welles' Citizen Kane, the downfall of this corrupt cop resembled in some strange way the demise of the director himself. In this way, Welles shares some autobiographical material with the public.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 172
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