Sorcerer (1977)

71% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(2,670 ratings)

The plot of William Friedkin's suspense thriller originated with the same Georges Arnaud novel that inspired Henri-Georges Clouzot's French suspense classic The Wages of Fear (1953). Roy Scheider, Bruno Cremer, Francisco Rabal, and Amidou play four men who, for various reasons, cannot return to… More The plot of William Friedkin's suspense thriller originated with the same Georges Arnaud novel that inspired Henri-Georges Clouzot's French suspense classic The Wages of Fear (1953). Roy Scheider, Bruno Cremer, Francisco Rabal, and Amidou play four men who, for various reasons, cannot return to their own countries. They end up in a dismal South American town where an American oil company is seeking out courageous drivers willing to haul nitroglycerin over 200 miles of treacherous terrain. The four stateless men have nothing to lose -- and, besides, they'll be paid 10,000 dollars apiece, and be granted legal citizenship, if they survive. The suspense is almost unbearable at times, even outdistancing the tension level of The Wages of Fear in certain scenes. Sorcerer had all the earmarks of a moneymaker, but this picture bombed for a rather odd and silly reason: its glaringly inappropriate title. Fans of Friedkin's The Exorcist may have gone home disappointed that not one sorcerer ever rears its ugly head. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 1 min.
Directed By: William Friedkin
Written By: Georges Arnaud, Walon Green
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jun 24, 1977 Wide
On DVD: Nov 17, 1998
Studio: Universal/Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
The new movie is handsomely shot and crisply edited. Why, then, does one rather distantly respect it instead of just plain liking it? It is an odd, disappointing feeling to take away from a summertime movie.
Variety Staff, Variety
William Friedkin's Sorcerer is a painstaking, admirable, but mostly distant and uninvolving suspenser based on the French classic The Wages of Fear.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Friedkin's Sorcerer is just as gripping and spine-tingling an adventure film as The Wages of Fear and, at times, surpasses the original film with breathtaking photography and a superb use of sound
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Friedkin's maldit analysis of The Wages of Fear retains Clouzot's perverse punchline and adds plenty of its own
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
It's rare that a remake lives up to the original upon which it was based, but "Sorcerer" is that exceptional movie.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Sorcerer is simply riveting cinema, one of the most enthralling, suspenseful and heart-stopping films I have ever seen.
, Time Out
Friedkin hints at political themes, but the film suffers most from condescendingly over-emphatic direction, and a generally tedious, relentless grimy realism in the opening half hour.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The film could never shake the dark cloud that hung over its head.
Dan Jardine, Cinemania
A damned riveting film, from start to finish
, Film4
Though not a patch on the Clouzot movie, it is still rather gripping, the photography is superb, there is an excellent use of sound and an eerie electronic score by Tangerine Dream.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
while its narrative is slipshod, the dialogue is problematic and the drive is irresolute - one thing's for sure, the film's few golden moments of awe-inspiring action is simply that - white-knuckle classic thrills

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Reid V

Being an immense fan of the Clouzot's Wages of Fear, coupled with knowing Friedkin's hubris, made me not to thrilled to give this movie a whirl. However, my love for Scheider got the best of me and I finally spent some time with the film. And man am I glad I did. Does… More
Being an immense fan of the Clouzot's Wages of Fear, coupled with knowing Friedkin's hubris, made me not to thrilled to give this movie a whirl. However, my love for Scheider got the best of me and I finally spent some time with the film. And man am I glad I did. Does Friedkin ratchet up the suspense that makes the original feel stodgy? Never. But he does come pretty damn close and some scenes are pretty impressive to watch. While he misses capturing the desperation that is the focus of the original, Friedkin still focuses on greed as the prime motivation for these men. Unfortunately, he gives few captivating moments of how American economic exploits are tearing apart this Nicaraguan town and misses what I think were many good opportunities to really drive his point home. Yet, he seems less determined to make a statement and more intent on just taking the audience on one hell of a thrill ride. Sadly, this also means that we are kept at a distance from getting emotionally involved with these characters, even though Friedkin takes the time to give us a detailed backstory for most of them. On the whole, the film takes a different route than the original. It forgoes a message about economic greed and corporate domination, and really tries to give us a solid thriller. While his vision doesn't make for a breathtaking film, it is still a strong effort from Friedkin.
Pierluigi P

As the characters in the picture, maybe William Friedkin was doomed from the instant he decided to tempt providence going back to H.G Clouzot's masterpiece. His most ambicious project was, from early stages, development hell, plus a terrible distribution date that condemned it to… More
As the characters in the picture, maybe William Friedkin was doomed from the instant he decided to tempt providence going back to H.G Clouzot's masterpiece. His most ambicious project was, from early stages, development hell, plus a terrible distribution date that condemned it to be a flop, but worst things happened when the studio re cut it, and took away a lot of important footage, that's why from the moment this group of expendables aboard their vehicles and start their ordeal the rhythm of storytelling feels broken, with not enough interaction between them as in the original film. Nevertheless, it does justice to the original. some sequences are impressive, the suspense reached is almost unbearable, and Friedkin's trademark gritty documentary style suits the story perfectly. Tangerine Dream's soundtrack is classic, and Roy Scheider performance as a psychotic, world-weary fugitive is simply badass. One of those remakes done with passion and enough originality to be taken into account, rescued from obscurity.
Ken S

Wicked underrated
Steve B

This movie is universally panned, but I kind of liked it.
Lanning :

One of the best "tough guys," no one sweats better on the way to winning or losing than Roy Scheider. This great movie, an American reworking of the Yves Montand thriller LE SALAIRE DE LA PEUR, highlights Scheider's knack for playing characters who live life moving… More
One of the best "tough guys," no one sweats better on the way to winning or losing than Roy Scheider. This great movie, an American reworking of the Yves Montand thriller LE SALAIRE DE LA PEUR, highlights Scheider's knack for playing characters who live life moving from one do-or-die scenario to the next. A feel very similar to THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE. Thinking about this movie, and ones like JAWS, MARATHON MAN, and THE FRENCH CONNECTION, I just have to say that Scheider should have had a bigger career. Well, flixster friends, he ain't dead yet. Who knows what he might accomplish before he's done. Scheider is always worth watching, no matter what the overall quality of the film may be. And fans know, he's definitely made his share of B's and lower.
Christopher B

Awesome, gritty, tough as nails remake that is better than the original. Everyone is great in this and the storytelling and suspense are perfect. It had to open on the same day as Star Wars though, and thus faded into obscurity.