Sorcerer

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Hector I I had classified this film as a crime thriller following its re-release by Criterion Studios, and I wasn't expecting it to be the American version of The Wages of Fear, even though I had my doubts when I saw the American title. Given the director (The Exorcist), I thought I was going to find myself in a mystical crime thriller set in South America, but that's not the case, at least not entirely... Here we follow four Westerners lost in a village abandoned by everyone and the gods in South America. The country is not very welcoming because they want to flee Cajun for their own reasons (ruined businessman, mafia, etc.). They work hard with no hope of escape until they are offered a cursed job (in reference to the Aztecs and the mystical symbolism that adorns this film), which consists of driving a truck loaded with highly unstable explosives (nitroglycerin) through the jungle. The two trucks set off into this green hell, driven by fear and madness. I was talking about the mysticism and madness that permeated this film. and indeed there are Aztec symbols scattered throughout the film (the truck with its terrifying mouth, the music, the Indians) so much so that you almost feel like you're in Aguirre, the Wrath of God, or even in the heart of darkness of Conrad, who takes these men to a wild country where the greatest danger comes from themselves. What a joy to see Bruno Cremer in the role of the ruined French businessman fleeing the reality of his situation. If you've seen Section 317, you get the impression that this man only feels at home in the jungle with his impressively calm and soothing blue eyes. Finally, it must be compared to its model, The Wages of Fear. Personally, I didn't find Montand very credible, but the 1953 version undoubtedly has a formidable aesthetic, a universal work thanks to its magnetic black and white, linked of course to oil. What does this film have that its predecessor doesn't? A rather well-crafted mystical aspect, and the bridge scene is truly terrifying. If you like Schoendoerffer, Bruno Cremer's presence alone is enough to elevate the film from good to Good ! Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/20/25 Full Review Blobbo X Is not why Nobel invented dynamite? Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/27/25 Full Review nick s I don't think the title sells it but the movie is exceptional. Fantastic action scenes, intriguing theme (almost the inverse of Heart of Darkness). The director does well to wrongfoot the audience. Acting is perfect. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/27/25 Full Review Claudio C Sorcerer (1977) Based on Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Le salaire de la peur (1953) (11,823 –11 Jul 2025 – by Claudio Carvalho) In Veracruz, the hitman Nilo (Francisco Rabal) executes his target. In Jerusalem, three terrorists explode a bomb and one of them, Kassem (Amidou), flees. In Paris, Victor Manzon (Bruno Cremer) is accused of fraud and needs a large amount from his father-in-law to cover. He fails, leaves his wife and flees; In Elizabeth, New Jersey, four gangsters steal money from a church that belongs to a powerful monster. The driver, Scanlon (Roy Scheider), hits the car in a truck and only he survives and flees. Sometime later, the four fugitives are hidden in a poor village in Costa Rica and without money to leave the village. When a drilling well blows up, the manager needs explosives to shut down the fire. He hires four skilled drivers for a large amount to take the nitroglycerin in two old trucks, and the four men are selected. Now they need to transport the explosives in a dangerous journey to receive the money. “Sorcerer” (1977) is a breathless film by William Friedkin visibly based on Henri-Georges Clouzot’s masterpiece “Le salaire de la peur”, a.k.a. “The Wages of Fear” (1953). The direction and the camera work are impressive, as well as several scenes in a period that CGI did not exist. The performances are also top-notch. The music score by Tangerine Dream is remarkable and the ironic conclusion completes this little gem. My vote is eight. Title (Brazil): “O Comboio do Medo” (“The Convoy of the Fear”) My Blog: https://maniacosporfilme.wordpress.com/ Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/11/25 Full Review Stephen L. I would like to personally shoutout Barnes and Noble and their 50% off sale for allowing me the opportunity to own and watch this glorious, tense, dreadful film. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/01/25 Full Review thiago s Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 06/30/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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