After a self imposed exile in Europe of 10 years, Orson Welles made this 1958 movie with a star studded cast of Charleton Heston, Janet Leigh, himself, Marlene Deitrich, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Dennis Weaver and others. It is a film noir with a very convoluted storyline and is the last of legendary movies of its genre. Here, guitar music of rock and roll had replaced the usual jazz music. This movie was supposed to be a come back movie for Welles. Again here, the studios felt that the movie had to be edited and redone much to Welles disappointment that made him write the now famous 58 page expressive plea. In 1998, the director's plea materialized and was restored to its previous glory.
Charleton Heston acts a mustachioed Mexican drug enforcement officer! Welles who was hired as a supporting actor and villainous evidence planting over-sized unhealthy looking cop ended up doing the screenplay and direction for free. This outing however lacks the power dialogue that is synanomous with Welles' offering. The one striking take was the opening scene where the director introduces the US-Mexico border town via an extremely long tracking shot which is quite unique.
Quinlan: Come on, read my future for me.
Tanya: You haven't got any.
Quinlan: Hmm? What do you mean?
Tanya: Your future's all used up.
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