"Border Incident" is another film that benefits from the direction of Anthony Mann. From 1949, it's an atmospheric noir, probably a B movie, about the immigration department sending two people in undercover (Ricardo Montalban and George Murphy) to expose an illegal immigration operation. The ranchers bring them in, and after the season, they're left to their own devices. En route home, they are often robbed and/or killed and left in the Death Cave, which has quicksand. Very gruesome.
Montalban plays Pablo Rodriguez, who poses as a brazero (farm worker) who pays 70 pesos to cross the border illegally. He befriends Juan Garcia (James Mitchell), a real brazero he meets while waiting for his named to be called for a work permit. Discouraged, Garcia decides to go illegally as well, despite having a wife and children and knowing the dangers. Murphy goes undercover as an ex-con who has work permits to sell. Pablo and Juan end up on the Parkson ranch. Parkson (Howard da Silva) is a ruthless man, and he couldn't care less about the immigrants.
This is a violent film that demonstrates the exploitation of Mexicans and illustrates the problems that still exist today. All of the performances are very good - soap opera audiences may not recognize dancer/actor James Mitchell, who played Palmer Courtlandt on "All My Children" for years and died not long ago. Young and very handsome, Ricardo Montalban makes a convincing Pablo, a brave and determined man. Murphy stretches his song and dance man range as Jack.
Excellent film.
Montalban plays Pablo Rodriguez, who poses as a brazero (farm worker) who pays 70 pesos to cross the border illegally. He befriends Juan Garcia (James Mitchell), a real brazero he meets while waiting for his named to be called for a work permit. Discouraged, Garcia decides to go illegally as well, despite having a wife and children and knowing the dangers. Murphy goes undercover as an ex-con who has work permits to sell. Pablo and Juan end up on the Parkson ranch. Parkson (Howard da Silva) is a ruthless man, and he couldn't care less about the immigrants.
This is a violent film that demonstrates the exploitation of Mexicans and illustrates the problems that still exist today. All of the performances are very good - soap opera audiences may not recognize dancer/actor James Mitchell, who played Palmer Courtlandt on "All My Children" for years and died not long ago. Young and very handsome, Ricardo Montalban makes a convincing Pablo, a brave and determined man. Murphy stretches his song and dance man range as Jack.
Excellent film.