This film falls way short of Orson Welles's masterpiece Citizen Kane in every way.
Here the film opens with a great long shot, following the main two characters along several blocks near the US-Mexican border. Mike Vargas (a miscast Charlton Heston) and Susan (Janet Leigh) are newly married. But then tragedy strikes, a bomb is strapped under a car. It explodes not long after entering the US. Vargas joins with some Americans including the corrupt Hank Quinlin (Orson Welles, who aged horribly, for the record). But there's more. There is also corruption on the Mexican side of the border, in the form of a Mexican who has a grudge against Vargas. His name is Joe Grandi (Akim Tamiroff). He and his gang kidnap and drug Susan and Mike must go and rescue her. In addition, he also needs to prove that the beloved Quinlan is corrupt and has planted evidence for years. Quinlin even joins teams with Grandi only to try and blame his murder on Susan.
Welles tries to imitate Hitchcock, but falls far short. The film lacks suspense and twists and turns needed to make this film really good. The camera work, with the notable exception of the brilliant opening scene, and editing are nothing to write home about. The acting is only so-so, with the standout maybe being the dimwitted hotel owner (Dennis Weaver). Also, Janet Leigh, when will you learn that it is not good to stay at a hotel alone. Nothing good comes from it.
The film did fly by, which is good, and I will watch it again, though the film as many in the day were, prejudice. Too bad this film isn't amazing as Citizen Kane, which is probably the best film of all time. You'd never guess that these two films had the same director. Also, this film is based on a book with the title Badge of Evil. The film should have kept that original title. Grade: B
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