Wages of Fear Movie Review 1955

American oil company controls a desolate Central American town whose citizens desperately want out--so desperately that four are willing to try a suicide mission to deliver nitroglycerine to put out a well-fire raging 300 miles away. The company's cynical head has offered $2000 to each man, enough to finance escape from the hell-hole they live in. Complex, multi-dimensional drama concentrates on character development for the first half--crucial to the film's greatness. This is the restored version. Remade by William Friedkin as "Sorcerer" in 1977. Based on a novel by Georges Arnaud. In French with English subtitles.

Distribution

Audio-Forum, Jeffrey Norton Publishers, 1 Orchard Park Rd., Madison, CT 06443, Phone: (203)245-0195, Toll-free: 800-243-1234, Fax: (203)245-0769, Email: info@audioforum.com, URL: http://www.audioforum.com, Remarks: 888-453-4329 Toll Free Fax, Imprint of J. Norton Publishers.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 138 minutes.
Originally from French.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Restored Footage, Central America, Jungle Stories, Big Rigs, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Henri-Georges Clouzot

Cast

Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Peter Van Eyck, Vera Clouzot, Folco Lulli, William Tubbs

Cinematography

Armand Thirard

Director

Henri-Georges Clouzot

Music

Georges Auric

Producer

Hal Roach Dist, DCA

Awards

British Acad. 1954: Film; Cannes 1953: Actor (Vanel), Film.