Touch of Evil Opening Shot

Another masterpiece of Welles' even though it was a bit "dark" for the time.

A three and a half minute single take... I wonder what Alfonso Cauron thinks of this.

This movie almost tops Citizen Kane - now that's an accomplishment.

wow!
That was amazing!

The whole shot is three minutes, twenty seconds; amazing.

It took them something like 28 days of practice.

After the first shot the rest of the movie is pretty disappointing. Except the character Welles plays. Especially the last scene is terribly scripted for a an Orson Welles film.

The story I read is that it took all night to set up; then the border guard actor was so nervous by the time the camera moved into position for his first line ("You folks American citizens?") that he kept blowing his dialog. They got a perfect take just as the sun was coming up; you can see the sky getting light in the distance. If they'd had to reset for another take, the sun would've ruined it, which would have meant starting again the next night. "Cut!' cried Welles, to cheers all around!

Absolutely friggin' epic. the coordination, lighting and timing is unmatched.

It's called building suspense!
Look kids! No CGI!

Old School!

Thanks for posting!

It took as long as the take is to shoot it. The planning of the shot however, might have taken a while.