Border Incident

Anthony Mann directed BORDER INCIDENT with eye of a true artist. Working with great cinematographer John Alton and other talents, he created an involving, visually expressive amalgam of Film Noir and modern-day western. Story-wise the movie pulls no punches and it makes good socio-political points, but never in a dry, didactic way. The Warner Archive blu-tay is a top recommendation

It's amazing how this little-seen 1949 gem tackled an issue which is an even more contentious national topic today. All about indigent Mexicans who need work, American farmers who need them, and the porous, insecure border between them. BOTH break the law: the Mexicans, because of ignorance, lack of education, disinformation and desperation, cross illegally; and the Americans, because of avarice and arrogance, use them. Bad apples from both parties comprise the criminals that are the target of this film. Ricardo Montalban has the rare lead here and is strikingly effective. Ruggedly handsome and fit, the talent & the tools were evident---why he didn't make it as a major star is beyond me. Either he had the worst agent of all time or Hollywood, like baseball, wasn't ready for a minority to kick butt. Montalban would be a marquee stud today. Montalban and Gerorge Murphy play Federal agents from their respective countries who attempt to infiltrate the crooked organization that is transporting , and even killing, the illegals. Howard Da Silva [THE LOST WEEKEND, 1945] is awesome as the head of the nefarious gang that transports the illegals for major bucks---a wondrous performance---he turns to jelly at the end of the film when his #1 Foreman double crosses him. Some noteworthy familiar faces here especially Alfonso "I don't have to show you any stinkin badges" Bedoya who was so memorable as one of the bandits in the all-time classic TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, 1948 [even the other bandit in SIERRA MADRE is thrown in here!], and John Ridgely from THE BIG SLEEP, 1946. Still can't believe that Montalban's "illegal" pal 'Juan Garcia', who appeared so authentically 'Mexican', was played by a non-Mex, James Mitchell. The film is sensitive, fair, and brutally real. I was taken aghast with George Murphy's execution in this one, especially after going through the movie admiring his smarts, courage and perseverence while in the belly of the beast---stark, no-nonsense stuff here as was typical of director Anthony Mann's noirs and Westerns. Saw this on TV the other night---will be part of my DVD collection before the weekend is over.

Great film. Photography was exeptional , locations and acting were fine. GeorgeMurphys predicament was quite harrowing . Print was excellent and speedy delivery of disc was appreciated

Important subject well treated-The problem is still with us.

Good acting,interesting version of the US/Mexican border not even remotely connected with what's happening today; but,as history,maybe. . Very much a film noir. Quite violent

Interesting period movie.

This was a dramatic and I felt it was a very realistic of what happens on the Border of the USA and Mexico

arrived early and good quality film.

Exciting exposé-style film noir focusing on the trafficking of illegal Mexican farm workers in California.Ricardo Montalban and George Murphy are well cast as Mexican and American agents doing their part to stamp out this human trading.Howard da Silva comes off best as a wealthy farm owner who is a gentleman on the outside but a heartless exploiter of his workers inreality. Gruff voiced Charles McGraw, a noir regular, effectively plays his sadistic foreman.Well directed by the great Anthony Mann, who, by this time, was at the top of his game in the noir movement. He would soon move onto his great westerns with James Stewart. Here he pushes the envelope for on-screen violence, to great effect.Equally impressive is the cinematography by the great John Alton. His day-for-night scenes, like the opening scene of fleeing migrantworkers, and several other night scenes, which look like they were actually shot at night, are sensational and look good enough to eat!The script and story, by John C. Higgins and George Zuckerman, are based on actual events going on at the time.

tops