Whit Masterson's book "Badge of Evil" as adapted by Orson Welles, who also directed and memorably co-stars as Police Captain Quinlan. Charlton Heston gives a strong performance as an Hispanic narcotics officer in Mexico who butts heads with a distinctly crooked head of the police force, with new bride Janet Leigh caught in the middle. An atmospheric but not especially absorbing picture, this mainly due to Welles' indifferent handling of the material (he gets into the grit--but from a distance; this is a melodrama with a lukewarm temperature). Film was initially taken away from Welles in post-production but has now been restored to its original form. It features justifiably famous cinematography from Russell Metty, fine work from the underrated Leigh, and a terrifically seedy feel for decadent border towns. However, these sterling attributes cannot camouflage a screenplay without much spark, some miscasting and overacting in key supporting roles, and a final act with flare but not much punch. **1/2 from ****