Border Incident Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Border Incident Blu-ray Movie Review

One way in, no way out.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III May 1, 2023

Anthony Mann's riveting Border Incident is a mostly forgotten but excellent low-budget thriller whose unusual backdrop and memorable characters make it well worth (re)discovering. Starring a young Ricardo Montalbán and George Murphy as Mexican and American agents tasked with infiltrating an illegal immigrant smuggling operation, it starts off smooth but gradually tightens the noose as our two heroes struggle to keep their cover... and their lives.

Opening with stiff narration introducing its two main characters and their mission, Border Incident is clearly a product of its time but remains engaging due to the strength of its story and momentum. When we first meet Mexican federal police agent Pablo Rodriguez (Montalbán) and American investigator Jack Bearnes (Murphy), they're quickly briefed on their mission: to look into the the smuggling of Mexican "braceros" (farm workers) who are routinely moved across the border and often robbed or killed by bandits after collecting their meager pay. They'll be going undercover in different capacities; Rodriguez will be a new farm worker looking for discrete passage to America, and Bearnes will keep tabs on the contacts Rodriguez makes along the way. Both men are confident in the plan but recognize the danger involved, yet before their mission ends they'll find themselves in over their heads -- literally and figuratively.

Their separate routes eventually connect at the property of American rancher Owen Parkson (Howard Da Silva); he illegally buys and sells braceros like Rodriguez, and Bearnes is already there under the guise of unloading a stack of phony immigration papers. Unfortunately, the amiable but clever Parkson is eventually able to see through their plan and, along with his trusty men including Jeff Amboy (Charles McGraw, as gravelly-voiced as ever), turns the tables on Rodriguez, Bearnes, and the government agents secretly monitoring their situation from a safe distance.

Although its layers of involvement feel a bit convoluted in certain areas, Border Incident quickly establishes itself as a taut and well-crafted thriller with clear Western and film noir influences that heighten the tension greatly. Montalbán is absolutely magnetic in the lead role, with George Murphy running a close second, but memorable performances from "the other side" give this film more of a genuine ensemble feel than expected. Yet its true secret weapons are Mann's direction and the moody cinematography by John Alton, whose work can be seen in noir classis like Raw Deal and The Crooked Way (one of four films he shot in 1949, the same year Border Incident was released).

Sadly, this film didn't fully connect with theatrical audiences, barely earning back its modest budget despite a generally warm critical reception. Yet even more than 70 years after its release, Border Incident can be viewed as a well-crafted thriller with a largely unique backdrop that easily survives its "in-the-moment" storytelling and other unavoidably dated elements. Warner Archive likewise keeps the ball rolling with this welcome new Blu-ray edition that features a solid 4K-sourced A/V restoration and at least one very good DVD-era supplement which helps to establish a lot of critical context that just might strengthen your appreciation for this lesser-seen but excellent little production.

Border Incident Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Warner Archive's brand-new 1080p transfer of Border Incident is reportedly sourced from a recent 4K scan of the best-available preservation elements; a reliable source informed me that it's more specifically a preservation fine grain, since the original camera negative was one of many lost in the 1978 fire at the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography. While certainly a solid-looking transfer in its own right, it unavoidably lacks much of the sparkling grain present in Warner Archive's OCN nitrate-era restorations though is still largely impressive in the areas of fine detail and stability, with black levels deep enough to support the film's obvious noir elements. Contrast levels are good, although a few scenes are noticeably soft or display a extremely flat and low-lit appearance due to Border Incident's occasional (and not particularly convincing) use of "day for night" shots. Even so, this is a largely terrific presentation that easily surpasses previous home video editions including WAC's own DVD from 2017; disc encoding is excellent with no major issues, though trace levels of posterization could be seen during some of the film's darkest moments.

Border Incident Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix, which preserves Border Incident's mono roots as a split two-channel track, follows suit with a strong and stable presence despite occasional hiss and a thinner dynamic range at its loudest moments. One major exception is a scene when a character faces certain death by heavy machinery, as its slow approach is extremely convincing and builds an exceptional amount of suspense aided by the sonic clarity. Elsewhere, dialogue is largely clean and crisp with good mixing of background effects and André Previn's heavy original score. Even so, those who aren't great at deciphering Spanish accents may want to make use of the optional English (SDH) subtitles.

Border Incident Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This one-disc release ships in a keepcase with poster-themed cover art and no inserts. The bonus features are ported over from previous home video releases dating all the way back to Warner Bros.' 2006 DVD.

• Audio Commentary - This feature-length track with film historian Dana Polan is predictably organized and very informative, balancing trivia tidbits with a studious overview of its particular place in film history. He compares it favorably to a police procedural film -- or as he calls it, a "government agency" film -- which was a natural fit in post-WWII society when Cold War fears were first beginning to build. Other topics of interest include John Alton's cinematography, the unexpected and sudden arrival of death, US-Mexican relations, populism vs. individualism, observing the observers, the film's use of violence, new technology, good vs. evil, and more. It's a very well put-together track that will likely help casual and even seasoned fans to appreciate the film on a deeper level.

• Theatrical Trailer (2:24) - This vintage promotional piece can also be seen here.

Border Incident Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Anthony Mann's Border Incident is an underrated thriller with heavy Western and noir seasoning whose streamlined momentum tightens the noose during its final 30 minutes. Though bookended by dated narration -- a descriptor that also applies to other parts of this "in the moment" production, it still holds up well enough thanks to excellent direction, memorable characters, and a potent atmosphere that gives its audience a front-row seat to all the unfolding danger. Warner Archive's Blu-ray features a satisfying restoration from the best-available source elements and also includes an entertaining and informative audio commentary. Recommended to established fans and newcomers too.