Border Incident

Boooring. Alton's low-key photography is the only redeeming factor.

Many films from this era, noirs in particular, feel timeless. This ain't one of those.

It's alright; the photography by John Alton is really nice, and the obvious highlight of the film. Unfortunately the story lacks tension for the most part and the propagandic aspects of the film are shoehorned in so obnoxiously that you want to roll your eyes (I seriously laughed at the end when the American/Mexican flags were superimposed over the image).

Excellent beginnings, even if propaganda-themed, collapse into empty-headed action. Sure did love that Alton photography and the brief view (in between the hokum) Mann gives of some down-but-not-quite-out mexicans.

First-rate action drama is full of knife edge tension from the opening scene and never lets up, thanks to Mann's tight, precise direction, with especially excellent suggestion of quite brutal violence. Performances are also effective (except for a bland Murphy), with Da Silva the standout as the creepy villain, and Montalban extremely effective as the worker plant. Hurt to a very mild degree by a heavy-handed voice-over as the bookends, but not unexpected given the era and subject matter.

Pretty compelling, even with the rather predictable beats, and the performances are strong. The cinematography, too, has some striking moments. My problem is that the film feels so detached from the action. There was always a feeling of being lectured and even with a moral gray area so central to the story the overarching tone could not get away from the black and white view of the law. I still enjoyed it, but it could have been so much more.

Decent Noir crime drama. While watching this movie I kept getting a sense of Déjà vu as it reminded me of countless movie and TV show episodes that deal with illegal immigrants. The highlight is the quicksand pit scene during the climax.

Good B noic featuring an excellent early performance by Ricardo Montalban.

Socially ahead of it's time but ehhh not up to Mann's standards

A transitional film for Anthony Mann: half-noir, half-western. I could have done without the stentorian voice-over that attempts to place the story in a documentary-like context, and provide an assuring resolution at film's end. The film works best as a tense action-thriller, with Mann's cramped compositions & low-angle shots working well with John Alton's deep-shadow nighttime cinematography.

Had typically crisp direction by Mann, and Montalban was very good. But basically came off as not much better than some documentary you'd see in school (the stentorian VOs didn't help); you could practically hear the blubbering of the sprockets from the projector behind you.

Watchable crime drama with illegal aliens as it's subject. The quicksand along the border is like a snowstorm in the jungle. It takes away from the film and isn't needed.

A lot of the beats are the same as T-Men, but they diverge plenty enough so it doesn't feel like a complete rehash. Again, Mann works with Alton to bring some excellent imagery to the screen, capturing the sparse and wild countryside of the southwest. Performances are a step up from the earlier film. The ending is too pat (problem SOLVED!) but one grows to expect that kind of thing. Maybe a trifle slow at times, but when the tension ratchets up, the action scenes really deliver.

Anthony Mann #5 da semana DVD Versátil Filme Noir Volume 3.

A masculine depiction of a masculin world - this is far, far away from the dreamlike world of Raw Deal, and more direct and raw in its sensibilities and tight in plot and structure... An entertaining ride through the dark desert of Alton, indeed, but one that lacks fog.

The battle for illegal labor at the US-Mexican border as shot by the man Anthony Mann. Gloomy atmosphere as government agents tries to infiltrate those exploiting cheap work craft smuggled in from Mexico. Ricardo Montalban plays a central part trying to play it cool through a lot of suspenseful situations, and it really works for a thrilling operation. Only a iconic moment away from being an all-time classic.