The Wages of Fear (1953)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Graham J

  
  Tension. Wages Of Fear is the the perfect example of how to use good dramatic tension. I've never been on the edge of my seat for an entire film like I was the first time I saw this one. A must-see.

• Tim S

  
  Henri-Georges Clouzot is a filmmaking force to be reckoned with. His work is always constantly engaging and seminal, as well as being somewhat controversial in some cases. The Wages of Fear was a film just like that. It was cut up by American distributors upon its initial release… More
  Henri-Georges Clouzot is a filmmaking force to be reckoned with. His work is always constantly engaging and seminal, as well as being somewhat controversial in some cases. The Wages of Fear was a film just like that. It was cut up by American distributors upon its initial release stateside, but is now fully restored and available for all of our viewing pleasure. Even if you consider yourself a pretty deep film historian or just an avid movie watcher who can handle the suspense without getting caught up in it, I guarantee you that The Wages of Fear will have you holding your breath and glued to the screen. You couldn't ask for a more inviting audience participation premise than watching four men driving trucks full of explosive nitroglycerin over rocky terrain in Central America. Despite that premise, the focus is also strongly held on the characters before the premise of the film takes place, which is well into its second act. That's a very brave move screenplay-wise because you run the risk of boring your audience. Thankfully the characters are so rich with, well, character, that you want to know just as much about them, which of course leads to the tension once they get in gear (pun intended). My only gripe with the film (and it's a minor gripe) is that the ending felt anti-climactic. It felt right, but for me the film was over once the characters' journey had ended both figuratively and physically. The film was remade by William Friedkin in 1977 under the title of Sorcerer, and while both are considered to be masterpieces in their own right, Clouzot's original is the film that is most championed as being both an answer to Hitchcock and a superbly well-made film.

• Reid V

  
  A visually striking and immensely intense thriller from Clouzot. Stranded in a desolate Central American town, a group of down and out Europeans are feverishly in pursuit of making some kind of living.When an American oil company (SOC) needs four non-union scabs to transport volatile… More
  A visually striking and immensely intense thriller from Clouzot. Stranded in a desolate Central American town, a group of down and out Europeans are feverishly in pursuit of making some kind of living.When an American oil company (SOC) needs four non-union scabs to transport volatile explosives across some very treacherous terrain, these men jump at the chance. While I understand the criticism that the first act of the film moves rather dilatory, I think it is rather necessary to establish the desperation of these men and what would draw them to such a menacing excursion. On top of this, it also establishes the economic death-grip that American corporations have on this forlorn town. Clouzot seems to focus in on the general vulnerability of the people whose lives have been so heavily touched by capitalism. Not only are the indigenous people of the town naked in most of the shots, but Clouzot also shows their frantic solicitations whenever they come into contact with a rich American. With all of this care that Clouzot gives to these matters in the first act, it truly helps the audience understand when Yves Montand states, "when the oil stops, everything stops." When the films drives into the second act, it becomes a clinic in building suspense. Much in the same vein as Hitchcock, Clouzot lets the viewer in on the impending doom that the characters are unable to see. While this could have so easily been annoying to watch due to the length of time that the film spends on this excursion, the tight direction and frenetic editing makes for a riveting watch. With a quick back and forth between shots of the tires and the driver's face, coupled with quick shots of all of the harbingers of peril, Clouzot creates an atmosphere that only a clinical stress test could match. This all mounts to a climactic scene in which the two drivers are drenched and nearly drowning in the raw material has been wearing down the fabric of compassion that tethers these men together. With all of these elements, Clouzot has crafted one of the better thrillers from that 1950's that I have ever seen and a film that must not be missed.

• Lucas M

  
  Extremamente assustador e fantastico. Uma obra prima inesquecí­vel, um filme perfeito que envolve o espectador atà (C) o final.

• danny d

  
  in one sense it reminds of other films, like casablanca in the beginning, then treasure of the sierra madre, then they drive by night, and a little there will be blood in the end. in another sense, it is unlike any film ive ever seen. another stellar clouzot film, with a unique… More
  in one sense it reminds of other films, like casablanca in the beginning, then treasure of the sierra madre, then they drive by night, and a little there will be blood in the end. in another sense, it is unlike any film ive ever seen. another stellar clouzot film, with a unique plot, a fantastic script, and wonderful locations and cinematography. full of suspense, even though the film is so singularly focused in the final half. a wonderful picture.

• Arash X

  
  Drags a bit near the end but the ride is thrilling & exhausting at the same time, Not to mention the film's fantastic characterization & its great ending, Calling Clouzot a french Hitchcock is really an underestimation, Hitchcock's entire career is nothing compared… More
  Drags a bit near the end but the ride is thrilling & exhausting at the same time, Not to mention the film's fantastic characterization & its great ending, Calling Clouzot a french Hitchcock is really an underestimation, Hitchcock's entire career is nothing compared to The Wages Of Fear & Clouzot's other masterpieces Les Diaboliques & Le Corbeau

• Pierluigi P

  
  I don't recall when was the last time I felt so enervated and powerless for the fate of characters in a film. The perfect drawing given to them by the cast and director, plus the existential tone and the imminent danger displayed kept me concerned for their safety all the way, to… More
  I don't recall when was the last time I felt so enervated and powerless for the fate of characters in a film. The perfect drawing given to them by the cast and director, plus the existential tone and the imminent danger displayed kept me concerned for their safety all the way, to a degree that it was almost uncomfortable or even painful to experience their odyssey. A real nail-biter, a notch above Clouzot's other masterpiece 'Les Diaboliques'

• E.J. B

  
  Better than anything Hitchcock has ever done. This is one film you will be absolutely and positively unable to take your eyes away from. The suspense in this movie will glue you to the screen for it's entire two and a half hour runtime.

• Randy T

  
  Fantastically exhausting to watch. Said by some to be anti-American in spirit but I, as an American, didn't find it the least bit offensive.

• Stella D

  
  the brutal story of down on their luck foreigners taking on a suicide mission in south america. the first section reminds me of treasure of the sierra madre. it takes a while to get going while building up the oddball characters but then, look out! i bit all my nails off. i… More
  the brutal story of down on their luck foreigners taking on a suicide mission in south america. the first section reminds me of treasure of the sierra madre. it takes a while to get going while building up the oddball characters but then, look out! i bit all my nails off. i thought i would have a heart attack. unfuckingbelievable. not so much anti american as anti big oil, right? i wanna check out friedkin's remake now

• Chris B

  
  The fleshing out of characters, whether you love or hate them, is very impressive. Add to that many long scenes of great suspense and a near impossible mission and you have quite the excellent movie. While they all put their lives at risk, it is for the sake of finally gaining a… More
  The fleshing out of characters, whether you love or hate them, is very impressive. Add to that many long scenes of great suspense and a near impossible mission and you have quite the excellent movie. While they all put their lives at risk, it is for the sake of finally gaining a life worth living. Highly Recommended!

• Lauren D

  
  I put this off for ages because it was black and white, made in the 50's and foreign.<br/><br/>But holy flip it was amazing! I was seriously on the edge of seat the whole time. The acting was fine etc. It took a while to actually get into it, but once it did, it was… More
  I put this off for ages because it was black and white, made in the 50's and foreign.<br/><br/>But holy flip it was amazing! I was seriously on the edge of seat the whole time. The acting was fine etc. It took a while to actually get into it, but once it did, it was awesome! <br/><br/>*spoilers below*<br/><br/><br/><br/>I liked the characters and I actually wanted a happy ending. I think that's the 4th time I've wanted a happy ending ever. Every time I do, I get an unhappy ending. But I think that makes it even more awesome.

• Marcus W

  
  Die Hard, Desperado, Con Air and Face/Off - to name but a few. This is their Grandfather, the first true, hi-octane, action movie...and, up against it's younger counterparts it fails badly. It's predictable, as tense as Pride and Prejudice, and less exciting than Wes… More
  Die Hard, Desperado, Con Air and Face/Off - to name but a few. This is their Grandfather, the first true, hi-octane, action movie...and, up against it's younger counterparts it fails badly. It's predictable, as tense as Pride and Prejudice, and less exciting than Wes Anderson reading a weather report. If you want action stick with the younger generation.

• Anastasia B

  
  A story of epic proportions, executed with style until its very last frame. A journey into Hell and back.A very interesting, very coloful cast of characters. A director whose work remains classic. All of the above are reasons enough for you to watch this film and discover… More
  A story of epic proportions, executed with style until its very last frame. A journey into Hell and back.A very interesting, very coloful cast of characters. A director whose work remains classic. All of the above are reasons enough for you to watch this film and discover Henri-Georges Clouzot. It's not only Yves Montand that fills the screen... Unfortunately such cinematic gems don't always have the treatment they deserve. Someone should step in and preserve the film- the audience deserves to watch a restored version.

• Sean L

  
  It is strange now to watch a film in which the central plot isn't even touched upon until 45 minutes in. I wasn't exactly thrilled by the first 45 minutes, but they built up characters, and made the rest of the movie even more intense. And intense it is. Over 55 years… More
  It is strange now to watch a film in which the central plot isn't even touched upon until 45 minutes in. I wasn't exactly thrilled by the first 45 minutes, but they built up characters, and made the rest of the movie even more intense. And intense it is. Over 55 years later, the scenes in this movie are still absolutely thrilling. I was reminded of The Hurt Locker, only in that film the set pieces kind of peaked an hour in and never really built up again. In this film, each scene is more exciting than the last, and it all builds to a great ending. It is a wonderful film.

• Wu C

  
  Starts out really slow, but once they mention nitroglycerine....the movie takes off. I found myself laughing and cringing during the same sequences. A timeless classic, worthy of all it's praise.

• Christopher B

  
  Amazing and nihilistic French film about 4 folks on the run hired to transport 2 trucks filled with nitroglycerine. Granted, I like Friedkin's Sorcerer better, but for the time this film is incredible. Filled with tension and great characters, it's only a matter of time… More
  Amazing and nihilistic French film about 4 folks on the run hired to transport 2 trucks filled with nitroglycerine. Granted, I like Friedkin's Sorcerer better, but for the time this film is incredible. Filled with tension and great characters, it's only a matter of time until this film is remade yet again.

• Jojo S

  
  It's a good suspense film but it drags a little way too much in my opinion. Alot of scenes could've been cut out and get to the main point. The second half of the film is much more interesting than the first half. In fact, I can watch the second half without most of the… More
  It's a good suspense film but it drags a little way too much in my opinion. Alot of scenes could've been cut out and get to the main point. The second half of the film is much more interesting than the first half. In fact, I can watch the second half without most of the first half and still gets the sense of completion of the entire movie. And the very fin, the ending, is pretty unexpectedly imbecilic. Plus they need to work on their sounds a little better. Listening to noises for more than an hour gets really annoying, even though it is realistic. Nonetheless, the acting is superb.

Read all 18 featured audience ratings