Besides the unwarranted surprise, three things stand out in the film. Wonderful black and white photography. Also, Rita Hayworth—in film noir, a lot of the femme fatales are not actually beautiful, but Ms Hayworth has bone structure to die for. Apparently the studio was incensed when she cut her long red hair in favour of a short, tight, blonde hair-do, but even though this gives her an appropriately cold look, every time the camera focuses on her, she looks so beautiful that the ice melts. This, of course, is crucial for the plot of the film because it is what lures Michael into a Machiavellian world he does not understand. Although I found it startling to hear Welles speak with some kind of an Irish accent, it was appropriate for Michael’s character and helped with the underlying film noir theme of a stranger in a strange land.