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Summary: This movie is in my Perfection Collection :)
Review: This movie is in black & white, it's old, it contains multiple languages, subtitles, and it's what I consider a long running time. With all that said, it makes the movie all the more endearing. Wages of Fear sits next to my copy of Seven Samurai, and if the house was on fire, that's the 2 movies I'd grab on the way out.
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Summary: See this movie!
Review: I had been hunting this one down for a while until I managed to get my hands on a copy. Luckily it was the original director's cut and not the edited American version. I went into this movie with extremely high expectations and I was not disappointed in the least. The performances were uniformly excellent. I was drawn in by Mario's unfailing tenacity as much as I was repulsed by his willingness to commit a reprehensible act in his drive to accomplish the mission (see the movie to see what I mean). I sympathized with Jo, who, although a whiner and coward, was the wisest of the bunch. The cinematography is alternately beautiful and bleak, capturing the graveness of the situation wonderfully. The oil slick scene is amazing. The tension builds to almost agonizing levels, and then goes a bit further. I'm a Hitchcock fan, but I don't think Hitch ever directed anything that reaches the level of suspense of The Wages of Fear. People have said that they thought the introduction went on too long, but I'd have to disagree. The long introduction serves to firmly establish the characters and give weight to their actions. The full 148-minute version is the one too see if you enjoy strong character development, but the 131-minute version is available for those with less patience. And yes, there is not a happy ending. Some might say it was a letdown. I admit to feeling that way for a minute or two until I started replaying the movie in my mind (and this is a movie that stays with you, guaranteed). I came to appreciate the bleak ending, and in fact, relish it. I found it to be--and I believe that this was the director's intention-- just desserts.
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Summary: FANTASTIC!!!!!
Review: "Wages of Fear" is one of the greatest films I'veever seen and vastly superior to William Freidkin's '70s remake as"Scorcerer." Prefect direction by Henri-Georges Clouzot, stunning b/w photography by Armand Thirard, and a great performance by Charles Vanel as "Jo:" "You're being paid to drive, I'm being paid to worry." Don't listen to those who say the first half of the film is boring, it's not if you enjoy solid character development. And Jo, while indeed a "whiner," is the film's most memorable character because he is so real. You've met a version of this guy in your own life at one time or another. The ending is hardly a let down either as some have stated... it's what life is all about.
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Summary: GREAT SUSPENSE FILM, BUT I BECAME IMPATIENT...
Review: Surely one of the most suspenseful films I have ever seen. One has to sit through the rather long prologue before getting to the mission of delivering the nitro. I did become somewhat impatient with Yves Montand's partner though. He's always threatening to desert from the group and has to be coxed to return several times. I think I would have left this whiner go. Anyone share this sentiment with me?
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Summary: Suspense at it's peak
Review: To my point of view, this is the best suspense film ever made. I dare anyone to quit the room during the trucker's journey. Excellent characterization takes this film far beyond Friedkin's limpid remake. Okay, so it's in black and white, but do yourself a favor and BUY IT! SEE IT! EXPERIENCE IT! I promise you won't regret it.
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Summary: X-ray Tech's have to see this one !
Review: This movie is a Classic work
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Summary: CULT MOVIES 42
Review: 42. WAGES OF FEAR (french-italian-thriller, 1953) A young Corsican, Mario (Yves Montand), an aging Parisian, a German and a fatally ill Italian are stranded (penniless) in a backward South American village. Close to the edge of damnation they all desperately seek a way out. The owner of an American-based fuel company offers the men $2 000 to transport 2 truckloads of nitroglycerine over 300 (treacherous-mountainous) miles. Though the feat is wrought with various dangers, the men are desperate to get their money no matter what. Critique: This is regarded as the greatest suspense thriller ever made, and once you see it you'll probably agree. Director Henri-Georges Clouzot adapted the screenplay from a novel by Georges Arnaud, creating a totally realistic world full of poverty and despair. The people living in this wretched part of the world aren't fazed, however, as their spirits remain strong. The principal's efforts to rise above it all, though heroic, prove ultimately fatal. Clouzot creates a couple of tremendously unforgettable scenes: the men pushing their trucks over dilapidated bridges, across mountains, road, and an oil well. Like no other film since we feel the desperation and dismay the characters go through. The ending is a bit of a letdown, further reinforcing Clouzot's theme of destiny's hand being played. QUOTE: Jo: "I'm trying to remember. The fence. . .what there was behind the fence. There's nothing!"
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Summary: this movie defines suspense
Review: Wages of Fear is the most suspenseful film I have ever seen. Modern horror/suspense films pale in comparison. Your heart will be in your throat throughout the journey in the mountains. The black and white treatment is stunning, with excellent attention to lighting. The ending is a shocker - I won't give away the secret.
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Summary: Excellent journey, horrible ending
Review: It took me ahwhile to 'get into' this picture. It starts off really slow and I suppose it does set the scene for the town and the characters lives. When the 'stranger' arrives in town, I became just as intriqued as all the towns people did. With the 'friend' in the American Oil company outside of town offering the 'best' money for the 'worst' work (delivering nitro to a remote well gone 'wildcat') I was amazed that the film - realistically - contained english dialogue! The men take the job, and again - it starts off 'slowly'. But further down the road, boys - does the tension mount! One of the best depictions of the human (or just mans?) ego, desire, and total commitment to a desparate task! Without ruining it with a spoiler, I will say the ending was the worst I've seen since 'The Bicycle Thief'! It's abrupt, pointless, and leaves you with an almost 'angry' feeling that the character(s) were so careless (or the producer?) This movie will sit in you like a stone, a dark, heavy, and totally unforgetable stone! W. Friedkin didn't come close to the original! Tangerine Dream should've just redone the soundtrack to the original and then I'd be giving Wages of Fear 10 stars!
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Summary: Unforgettable Film
Review: "The Wages of Fear" is considered one of the truly great films. It not only delivers terrific suspense and excitement, it is also a rather telling comment on the human condition. Some drifters are trapped in a hot, bug-infested South American hell-hole. They are out of luck, out of money and seemingly doomed to remain where they are, fighting hunger, heat and each other. Suddenly, they are offered a small fortune to drive trucks through the jungle, across a mountain range to a destination 300 miles distant. The catch ? The trucks are loaded with nitroglycerine--one bump--one spark--one mistake--and the truck and any unfortunate humans on board are history. Four men agree to drive two trucks, and their journey will have you biting your finger-nails down to your elbows ! All four actors are fine, with Yves Montand particularly memorable in the lead. I agree with the reviewer who notes that the first half hour of the film is slow, but it sets the mood. It's important to understand why these characters would volunteer for such a "mission impossible", even for a big payday. The film has a chilling message about the lengths that people will go for money. I couldn't help but consider some of the "reality" television programs we see today like "Fear Factor". It's sad to see what indignities and dangers people will subject themselves to just to make a buck, and how easily they can be exploited. The picture quality of the DVD is fine. I was surprised to find no exras, given that this is a Criterion release. An interview with one of our current, respected directors would have been a nice bonus. I'm sure that a film buff like Martin Scorcese would have some fascinating comments. Then again--I'm sure he's a busy guy ! Bottom line--a timeless masterpiece for serious film collectors.
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