Continuing my infatuation with the greatest opening moments ever put to celluloid I bring you one of the most acclaimed beginnings (and one of my all time favourite films, thus far) ever made.
Touch of Evil (1958), directed by Orson Welles, is one of the last great American film noir's, a crime thriller, dark mystery, and cult classic rolled into one. A technical masterpiece for Welles, it too was unappreciated in it's time and a huge box-office flop, Touch of Evil is now considered one of the greatest films ever made.
The film opening is rightly celebrated as one of the most accomplished ever put to film, it's audacious, breath-taking and quite incredible. The entire sequence is shot in a three minute uninterrupted sweeping crane shot, covering four blocks from start to finish, as a car packed with explosives drives through the busy town's nightlife and heads for the Mexican border.
Watch for yourself, this truly is the reference book on how to open a movie. Apologies for the TCM guff at the beginning but this was the best video I could find, enjoy.
Touch of Evil, 1958
9 baring their soul:
best beginning ever.
I'm ashamed to admit I have yet to watch Touch of Evil. Heston just strikes me as such a bizarre casting choice.
Your posts are extremely well written, by the way.
Heston is great. You really shouldn't let that hold you back from watching the film.
Great entry; it's also one of the best long takes I have ever seen Although I think the film goes downhill all the way from the beginning. Not that I would consider it a bad movie but I don't think it deserves all the critical acclaim it's receiving. It's quite solid but nothing more (in my humble opinion)
Great blog!
No disagreement here. A classic. Though I've gotta admit that I miss the Henry Mancini theme that played over this sequence in the original theatrical cut. True, having just the ambient sounds is a more risky and artistic choice, but that theme just did a really nice job of setting the mood and building up anticipation for what was to come.
Thanks for the comments guys.
Joseph - Couldn't agree with you more.
Rick - Thanks. It's always nice to hear that. As wacky casting goes, Heston as a Mexican is up there but it's one of the things that make this film so great.
Charles - I agree.
Anil - Your humble opinion is always welcome here. I think it's a great film which I need to revisit (it's been about four years since I saw it last), then, and only then, will I be able to defend it more clearly.
Invisible Woman - Why thank you. I'm digging your site too. Been a fan for a while if truth be told.
Todd - You learn something new everyday, I had no idea about the original Mancini theme, I'm going to seek that out. Thanks for the enlightening comments and welcome to the site.
Totally fab choice :)
It's not one of my all-time fave films, but Touch of Evil does have one of the most original openings ever.
Wow, what a shot. This movie looks way ahead of its time. Thanks for this, I'll have to check it out.
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