The Border

Charlie Smith works as a border patrol officer in the El Paso area, where the crossings between the United States and Mexico are marked by smuggling, corruption and exploitation. He is caught between his own complicity in a system that profits from undocumented immigrants and a growing unease with what he sees around him. When a young Mexican woman named Maria has her baby taken, apparently to be sold, Charlie decides he can no longer look the other way.

The film was directed by Tony Richardson, appearing ninth in the list of features he directed, between Joseph Andrews and The Hotel New Hampshire. Jack Nicholson plays Charlie, with Harvey Keitel as his adversary, alongside Valerie Perrine, Warren Oates, Elpidia Carrillo and Shannon Wilcox. The screenplay was written by Walon Green, Deric Washburn and David Freeman, and Edgar Bronfman Jr. produced the film for Universal Pictures, RKO Pictures LLC and Efer Productions.

Released in January 1982, The Border runs 108 minutes and was made on a budget of 22 million dollars. Its worldwide box office takings amounted to roughly 6 million dollars, a fraction of its production cost. On TMDB it holds a rating of 6 out of 10 from 151 votes, indicating a modest response from audiences.