Border Incident (1949)
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64% of users liked it
(349 ratings)
As far removed from a "typical" MGM picture as it was possible to get back in 1949, Border Incident is a gritty, realistic crime melodrama. The story concerns the efforts by both the Mexican and American governments to stop the smuggling of Mexican migrant workers across the border.… More As far removed from a "typical" MGM picture as it was possible to get back in 1949, Border Incident is a gritty, realistic crime melodrama. The story concerns the efforts by both the Mexican and American governments to stop the smuggling of Mexican migrant workers across the border. Representing Mexico is special agent Pablo Rodriguez (Ricardo Montalban), while Jack Bearnes (George Murphy) works on behalf of the US. Screenwriter John C. Higgins and producer/director Anthony Mann refuse to pull any punches, as witness the surprising mid-film murder of one of the major characters. Highlights include a harrowing episode involving a plowing machine and a climactic shootout in a quicksand swamp. The uniformly well-chosen supporting cast includes Howard da Silva, Arnold Moss, Alfonso Bedoya and Charles McGraw, "film noir" veterans all. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Anthony Mann
- Written By
- John C. Higgins
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
- In Theaters
- Oct 28, 1949 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Tougher, more tactile than anything in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
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Paul Brenner, Filmcritic.com
a film of stylistic virtuosity saddled with a humdrum scenario, yet graced with a few subversive surprises.
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Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Powerful, both politically and as visual style.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A routine crime melodrama.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Ricardo Montalban
as Pablo Rodriguez
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George Murphy
as Jack Bearnes
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Howard Da Silva
as Owen Parkson
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James Mitchell
as Juan Garcia
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Arnold Moss
as Zopilote
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Alfonso Bedoya
as Cuchillo
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Teresa Celli
as Maria
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Charles McGraw
as Jeff Amboy
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José Torvay
as Pocoloco
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John Ridgely
as Mr. Neley
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Arthur Hunnicutt
as Clayton Nordell
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Sig Rumann
as Hugo Wolfgang Ulrich
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Otto Waldis
as Fritz
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Harry Antrim
as John Boyd
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Lita Baron
as Rosita
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Tony Barr
as Luis
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Robert Cabal
as Braceros
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Frank Conlan
as Clerk
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David Cota
as Braceros
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Joe Dominguez
as Braceros
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Martin Garralaga
as Col. Alvarado
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Fred Graham
as Leathercoat
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Gordon Harris
as Bandit
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Jack Lambert
as Chuck
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Mitchell Lewis
as Braceros
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Paul Marion
as One Armed Man
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John McGuire
as Norson
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William 'Bill' Phillips
as Jim
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Lynn Whitney
as Bella Amboy
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Ned Young
as Happy
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Jerry Riggio
as Braceros
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Elias Gamboa
as Braceros
- Sig Ruman