CommentsXp Best movie ever!

Glucedee It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Stephanie There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

howardmorley Bernard Lee made an acting profession playing various detectives, predominately as the first "M" in the Sean Connery era of James Bond from 1962.Before this he specialised in playing various policemen like in the subject film made in 1957.He is frustrated by the non-existent extradition treaty between Mexico, the U.S. & the U.K. in his attempts to bring to justice a latter day Robert Maxwell type crooked financier, played by Rod Steiger.A previous reviewer suspected it was filmed on location in Spain to obtain a Mexican type atmosphere and this worked well.There were a few British type actors pretending to be Mexican like Eric Pohlmann and the actor who played the chief of Mexican police whom I have seen in more typical British plots.However the star of the film for my money was the dog actor who played "Dolores".She had a few expressive close ups with her doggy eyes which were very effective.When Rod Steiger initially rebuffed her, I was concerned that the R.S.P.C.A. would have to intervene.Nowadays when animals appear in films the producers invariably state in the credits "No animals were injured during the making of this film".The plot has already been effectively commented on by other users.Quite enjoyable I awarded it 7/10.

J. M. Verville I was impressed with the originality of the film and story, and the effectiveness of the portrayal. Rod Steiger does a tremendous job of performing in this film, from start to finish, showing us a dramatic performance in a very interesting story. Ken Annakin is very adept at controlling your emotions, with ease making you feel estranged from the main character when he feels, and at other times making you feel extremely intimate. The symbolism used is also impressive with the use of the dog representing what he traditionally does (loyalty, fidelity). With the extensive use of symbolism and vivid, personal capturing of the downfall of a business tycoon, we have our emotions beautifully twisted and find ourselves with one of the better endings that one can have to a film. Although at times throughout the film I sometimes felt lost and that it dragged on, overall it was still a good film that I would recommend to anyone. A very worthwhile film from Ken Annakin.

RalphRobertMoore Like other reviewers here, I saw Across the Bridge decades ago, but have never forgotten it.Rod Steiger plays a powerful, self-centered financier whose business empire, at the beginning of the film, is starting to crumble under charges of illegalities. He flees for Mexico on a train with a suitcase full of money.His disregard for others is confirmed when he casually murders a fellow train passenger in order to assume his identity and pass across the border.Once in Mexico, the authorities, under pressure from U.S. officials, put pressure on him to return "across the bridge" to the United States, so that he can be arrested. Most of the film is concerned with the slow stripping away of this once-powerful man's options, to where he is left sleeping on the streets, befriended only by a dog. The ending of the film is emotionally powerful, and probably the main reason why so many of us have never forgotten this movie.Since I wrote this review, I've seen the film again, on DVD (in 2005). It does not hold up that well. There's a subplot I had completely forgotten about. I realize now what I remembered about the film was highly selective. In truth, the movie has some interesting parts, but it's not the classic I remembered it being. By all means see it, but it's rather dated.

robert-giddings 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!