The Wages Of Fear

South America it’s quite a shithole if you want to have money, so it’s no surprise that people will take any job required. Even one that will probably kill them, such as driving two trucks full of nitroglycerine through some of the worst terrain imaginable. Soon, the dream of acquiring wealth takes a backseat to the fear and terror that their mission requires.

Clouzot is often referred to by many film historians as the Hitchcock of France, and with good reason. Movies like Le Corbeau and Diabolique are famous for unnerving audiences the same way the Master’s films used to. And this is no different. The movie has it’s share of humor, particularly in the first hour where we are introduced to the leads and their small simple town we live in. It’s a place full of diversity and people from all over the world, talking English, Spanish, French, etc. The humor disappears by the time the second hour hits and the boys embark on their mission, and all the time you’re just at the edge of your seat. Really, this is one of the most exhausting movies I’ve ever seen. It all moves at a slow pace, but you’re in such suspense that you’re on the edge of your seat, particularly during those speed sessions where they have to keep the trucks above forty miles per hour. Intense.
The casting is brilliant. Yves Montand as Luigi is great as Luigi, a rugged hard-working everyman that’s a great contrast to Jo (played by Charles Vanel) who is an aging swindler and a coward looking for a quick fix but instead is way over his head. Also in the journey is Bimba (Peter Van Eyck) and Mario, who looks like the video game character. Wait a minute… Mario… Luigi… my God, it’s Super Mario Brothers: Intense edition! Vera Clouzot, the director’s wife who would later appear in Diabolique, has a small part as a simple townsgirl in love with Luigi. I never found her to be a very good actress, but here she’s not so distracting. Plus she’s cute, too. This is a classic, one of the greatest movies ever made, and is highly recommended. By the way, this film was remade by William Friedkin as “Sorcerer”, starring Roy Scheider. It’s a very good remake and you should watch it as well.