1958 Film Touch Of Evil

1. This image is from the 1958 film “Touch of Evil.” This film is generally hailed as a classic, a stark story of corruption in a small Mexican border town. During this scene Detective Hank Quinlan, played by Orson Welles, has just shot his partner Pete Menzies. Menzies had conspired with Vargas in order to get Quinlan to confess to murder. “Touch of Evil” is the perfect example of film noir. Film noir emerged in the 1940’s and was generally used in crime films. It translates loosely to “black film.” These films have a tendency to emphasize shadows and darkness. This allows the audience to see the character’s shady morals. Detective Quinlan, who is about as corrupt as they come, is stereotypical film noir. This element sets a dark, ambiguous mood

This is a technique that uses a large depth of field. This allows for the audience to gain a sense of the actor’s surroundings and see the bigger picture. The opening scene in the film infamous, and has served as the inspiration for many later films. A crane shot is used, showing the chaos below. This shot allows for the audience to witness all of the events unfolding below. Viewers feel uneasy, worrying about when the bomb that was planted will explode. It’s an effective choice and keeps the viewers confused for the first couple of minutes. The entire film is a bit hazy and confusing, viewers constantly wondering whether the scenes are occurring in Mexico or the United States. It is very fitting, as many of the characters are morally hazy, not good or bad, but somewhere in between. The mise-en-scene of the film is also very impressive. It shows us run down motels and bars, and each feels unique and accurate. The film is meticulous and leaves no details out. The scene where Detective Quinlan dies is particularly potent as he is surrounded by garbage. It is an interesting choice to make a pool of wastewater the site of his