Across the Bridge

I saw this film, based on a Graham Greene story, 30 years ago on Norwegian TV. Rod Steiger plays a crooked businessman on the lam, who flees across the border into Mexico. The U.S. and Mexican authorities collude to ensure that he won't have access to funds. With nowhere to stay, he is followed by a small dog, whom he first resents; they end up in the desert, where the dog saves his life. A wrenching portrayal of a man who is progressively stripped, first of what he previously valued, and then of everything.

A truly memorable, but curiously forgotten film (not on video or DVD) that deals with an absorbing theme -- how to disappear using an assumed identity. A rare example, I think, of the film version's being just vastly superior to its orginal source (a slight, if taut short story by Graham Greene).

The plot is brilliantly simple (a la Hitchock). Carl Schaffner is travelling on a train. He's trying to escape from something dreadful and threatening (not specified) and is terrified. In desperation he decides to bump off a fellow passenger, assume his identity and take his documents. He intends to leave the train at the other end, get through the official formalities and disappear safely from whatever is chasing him. He goes to a lot of trouble to darken his moustache, get the clothes right etc. The train reaches its destination. Passengers alight. He gets off, strolls down the plaform. It all seems to be going like clockwork.

Then the guard shouts at him: "Hey! Don't forget your dog!"

It seems his victim had a dog and boarded it in the guard's van. The rest of the film fascinatingly details the developing relationship between Carl and his newfound canine companion while he continues to attempt to survive and escape detection. It is highly original and gripping throughout. It has thrills and pathos. Superb acting by Rod Steiger as Carl and a really professional actor as Gloria, the dog. Very evocative black and white photography and rich, sympathetic direction. I saw this as a student in 1957 and never forgot it. I have seen it once on TV. It MUST come out on DVD!

In this film, which my ex-English teacher lent to me to show me what kind of cinematic experiences I've been missing out on, I was so confused until the very end about which actor was Rod Steiger. After seeing Mr. Steiger in Elia Kazan's On the Waterfront, I was convinced that he was only that. But it was when the end credits came up that I was utterly taken aback and mortified by the way it said Carl Schraffner...........Rod Steiger! It was indeed the man with the funny accent and the simply blended performance that was one of my personal favorites. This is indeed a hidden cinematic masterpiece and is highly underrated, and deserves a lot more credit than it got. I can't believe this didn't even get nominated for an Oscar. I thought the overall production was fantastic, all of the actors, especially Rod Steiger, and the direction were fantastic! The writing could've been upped a notch, but otherwise, this film left me speechless and yearning for more. But one thing that I didn't like was the dissatisfaction in the end.

Like some others here I had seen this movie once many years ago, I was very young and came upon it at least 30 minutes into the film. Over the years I forgot the title of it, but never the plot and Rod Steiger and of course Dolores. I never saw it TV again. I would ask people about it describing the plot but no one seem to remember it.It wasn't until I was looking over Steiger's filmography that I found out the title. I bought the DVD and watched last night and memories of years and years came back over me.The music the photography, the hopelessness. So beautiful, so sad.If you have not seen it yet, please do so. One of the most forgotten movies and one of the best performances Rod Steiger ever gave.

Interesting expansion of a Graham Greene short story. A millionaire embezzler tries to steal another man's identity and escape to Mexico.

Rod Steiger is terrific in the lead and boldly unafraid to be unsympathetic. There's a solid noir feeling to the story, themes and especially the cinematography. There's a good deal of tension, too.

On the other hand, the whole story depends on not just one but two whopping coincidences, along with a couple of those 'why doesn't the character just…?' moments, which hurt the overall effectiveness of the film. The score is a bit over the top too.

But, for any faults it's still a well made, thinking person's thriller, worth seeking out if you're a fan of the genre or the elements.