The Wages of Fear
aka Le salaire de la peur
First screened in May 2004
Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot. Cast: Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Folci Lulli, Peter Van Eyck, Véra Clouzot, William Tubbs, Darío Moreno, Jo Dest, Luis De Lima. Screenplay: Henri-Georges Clouzot and Jérôme Geronimi (based on the novel by Georges Arnaud).

Twitter Capsule: Exquisite managing of tension and mood, but also the rare thriller to take such care with location and character.

VOR:   Rare action film that coheres viscerally and intellectually. Proof that thrills can be generated from lack of explosions. Grand-scale, but disciplined with camera. Influential.



Photo © 1953 CICC/Filmsonor/Véra Films/Fono Roma,
© 1955 Distributors Corporation of America

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: A


Awards:
Berlin Film Festival: Golden Bear (Best Picture)
Cannes Film Festival: Grand Prize of the Festival (Best Picture); Special Jury Prize (Vanel)
British Academy Awards (BAFTAs): Best Picture

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