Border Incident (1949)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Anthony Mann

Writers:

John C. Higgins (screenplay)
John C. Higgins (story) ...

Release Date:

28 October 1949 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Film-Noir | Drama

Plot:

Mexican and American federal agents tackle a vicious gang exploiting illegal farm workers in southern California.

Plot Keywords:

California | Farm | Mexico | Federal Agent | Torture

Cast

Ricardo Montalban	...	Pablo Rodriguez
George Murphy	...	Jack Bearnes
Howard Da Silva	...	Owen Parkson
James Mitchell	...	Juan Garcia
Arnold Moss	...	Zopilote
Alfonso Bedoya	...	Cuchillo
Teresa Celli	...	Maria
Charles McGraw	...	Jeff Amboy
José Torvay	...	Pocoloco (as Jose Torvay)
John Ridgely	...	Mr. Neley
Arthur Hunnicutt	...	Clayton Nordell
Sig Ruman	...	Hugo Wolfgang Ulrich
Otto Waldis	...	Fritz

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (certificate #13741) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Goofs:

Continuity: Near movie's end, Pablo Rodriguez (Montalban) is almost fully submerged in quicksand. However, immediately upon being pulled out, he looks like he's had a shower; the quicksand that had been on his face and hair is completely gone.

Quotes:

Zopilote: What is cheaper than time, senor? Everybody has the same amount.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema (2002)

Situation in 1949 and also in 2006 !

It is hard to believe that this film deals with Mexican crop workers trying to find work and happiness in America and is the same situation that has escalated into a huge problem in the year 2006. Ricardo Montalban,(Pablo Rodriquez), "Dynasty,'89 TV Series, plays an undercover Immagration Officer who tires to find out who is taking advantage of Mexican people by taking their money for entrance into the U.S. and making them disappear because of not having the proper paper work. George Murphy, (Jack Bearnes), "Battleground",'49 works as an agent along with Pablo and gives an outstanding supporting role. By the way, George Murphy became a U.S.Senator from California in real life. Howard DaSilva, (Owen Parkson),"The Great Gatsby",'74 plays an evil dude who is into all kinds of crooked deals. Great 1949 film about problems we are facing today in the United States.