Touch of Evil - Review

Although i have not seen Universal Studios original release of their edited version of Welles' Touch of Evil; i am glad they released a restored version in 1998 cut in accordance with Welles 58 page memo! Touch of Evil is not the epic that Citizen Kane was but the cinematic elements are similar. The aspects that make Welles stand apart as a filmmaker, the strive to find new and exciting camera angles, the dark low lit shots and simply the absolute strive for perfection in his films; apparent with his delivery of a 58 page memo! Of the film itself it was  interesting, the plot was curious never at any point in the beginning did i imagine Quinlan was going to be a dirty cop. Charlton Heston may not have been the most convincing Mexican and his makeup may have been the first instance of fake tan! In my research into the film i found the line in the Tim Burton film regarding Welles having to cast Heston as a Mexican. Ed Wood (Depp) talking to Welles (D'Onofrio) about producers casting the wrong actors for wrong movies Welles replies "Tell me about it. I'm supposed to direct a thriller for Universal. They want Charlton Heston to play a Mexican!" One aspect i didn't like was in certain scenes specifically when they were in Sanchez's apartment the dialogue was hard to understand. This was because all actors were talking over each other at the same time. Welles himself was quite difficult to understand in the film in general. This may have had to do with the makeup around his neck for the fat suit restricting his voice; but i think may just have been his character style. No review of Touch of Evil would be complete without comment on the opening scene. I thought the scene to be done in one take was fantastic i would how many attempts they had at getting it perfect for Welles. To have everyone moving the cars, the policemen, the extras on the street and the camera on dollys and cranes moving simultaneously is simply incredible. All in all another really good film from Welles especially for a "B" picture and having spent over 15 years away from Hollywood.