The Professional
01-27-2002, 08:07 PM
Wages Of Fear
Directed By: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Run Time:148 Mins
French with English Subs.
1953
In the heart of South America lies the village of Las Piedres. When an american oil well catches fire, the company has to employ 4 men to drive truckloads of volitile nitro to the site. They pay each driver 2000 dollars for the job. Hoping to escape the squaler of the latin american town, Corsican Mario, Parisian Jo, German Bimba, and Italian Luigi try out for the job and are hired. Two men to a truck, the four set out on a dangerous 300 mile journey through the deadly south american landscape, where one bump could cost them their lives.
The first hour of this film borders on tedium, but is neccessary to set up the characters. Once the journey is under way, it becomes one of the most suspenseful thrillers ever, with the men facing one deadly challenge after another, from having to blow up a rock in there path, to having to keep a speed of 40 mph over a cracked asphalt road(without hitting each other). Thats pretty good considering this is a early 50's french film. To top it off, there is a well fitting and ironic ending. Greatly recommended to fans of classic or foreign film. if not, watch the 1977 remake by William Friedkin,Sorcerer, which captures the suspense well, but isn't close to this one.
Rating: (9.5/10)
[This message has been edited by The Professional (edited 01-27-2002).]
[This message has been edited by The Professional (edited 01-27-2002).]
Directed By: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Run Time:148 Mins
French with English Subs.
1953
In the heart of South America lies the village of Las Piedres. When an american oil well catches fire, the company has to employ 4 men to drive truckloads of volitile nitro to the site. They pay each driver 2000 dollars for the job. Hoping to escape the squaler of the latin american town, Corsican Mario, Parisian Jo, German Bimba, and Italian Luigi try out for the job and are hired. Two men to a truck, the four set out on a dangerous 300 mile journey through the deadly south american landscape, where one bump could cost them their lives.
The first hour of this film borders on tedium, but is neccessary to set up the characters. Once the journey is under way, it becomes one of the most suspenseful thrillers ever, with the men facing one deadly challenge after another, from having to blow up a rock in there path, to having to keep a speed of 40 mph over a cracked asphalt road(without hitting each other). Thats pretty good considering this is a early 50's french film. To top it off, there is a well fitting and ironic ending. Greatly recommended to fans of classic or foreign film. if not, watch the 1977 remake by William Friedkin,Sorcerer, which captures the suspense well, but isn't close to this one.
Rating: (9.5/10)
[This message has been edited by The Professional (edited 01-27-2002).]
[This message has been edited by The Professional (edited 01-27-2002).]