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This is a movie review of the movie The Wages of Fear.

The Wages of Fear is an amazing movie. Unfortunately, it does not have the popularity that it deserves.  It's in French, and directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot. The story takes place in a South American Casablanca-like locale, where many come in, and due to lack of paperwork, citizenship and jobs, few come out. Those lucky few who do find jobs only get enough to pay the rent, nothing more. The only way out is to find work with the S.O.C. (Southern Oil Company), an American oil drilling company.  The first half of the movie (the majority of which taking place within the town cantina) follows the everyday life of the four main characters, who are Mario, Jo, Luigi and Bimba. Mario is an French playboy, who becomes companions with an ex-gangster Jo, also French. Mario’s Italian roommate, Luigi, is a happy go lucky hardworking man who has learned that unless he quits his job, his only means of support, he will die of lung cancer. The last is the Dutch Bimba, whose father was killed by the Nazis. When a S.O.C. oil field catches fire, they enlist four men to drive trucks filled with jerrycans of highly explosive nitroglycerin to the oil field. The slightest bump will cause the nitroglycerin to explode, obliterating anyone within 30 feet. Due to the poor condition of the roads, and the high danger of the assignment, each participant will receive $2000 US, if they are alive to collect their payment. The four men are Mario, Jo, Bimba, and Mario. At two drivers per truck, Bimba is paired with Luigi and Jo with Mario. This is the start of a nerve wrenching drive to the S.O.C. oil field.

The talent in this movie is superb. With Yves Montand as Mario, Charles Vanel as Jo, Peter van Eyck as Bimba and Folco Lulli as Luigi, this movie has a cast of highly talented actors playing the leads. They convey each emotion perfectly, and one feels as if these men really did drive the trucks on their voyage of death. The camerawork is amazing, showcasing all of the actor’s emotions flawlessly. The dialogue feels real, and not clichéd at all. Truly a classic, this movie deserves to be watched by all. 

By Liam