Sorcerer

Sorcerer

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Editorial Reviews

FOUR OUTLAWS TRUCK LEAKY CASES OF NITROGLYCERIN 218 MILES THROUGH THE SOUTH AMERICAN JUNGLE.

Following the blockbuster success of The Exorcist, director William Friedkin had the clout to make any film he wanted, and he nearly ruined his career making Sorcerer, an ill-fated remake of the classic French thriller The Wages of Fear. Given the big-budget treatment that Friedkin could command, the original plot remains unchanged: In an unnamed Latin American country, Roy Scheider leads a group of four fugitives who will earn their freedom if they can successfully transport truckloads of volatile nitroglycerine over treacherous terrain to extinguish a raging oil fire. The unstable explosives could prove deadly at any point of the journey, and numerous obstacles threaten the completion of the mission. Produced under rugged conditions in the jungles of the Dominican Republic, the film is visually impressive and contains intense moments of astonishing suspense, but the specter of the superior French version hangs over every scene. This version remains a folly of directorial ambition run amuck, but for the very same reason Sorcerer is a film that's hauntingly unforgettable, fueled by an atmosphere of dread and the forceful powers of nature. Presented in full-screen format on DVD, the film is aided immeasurably by Tangerine Dream's eerie electronic score. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Hidden Aspect Ratio on DVD

Reviewed by Gary E. Maisack, 2010-02-23

I too have been waiting for a widescreen DVD of Sorcerer to be released. I have read and studied all the comments about the aspect ratios of the original release and the DVD's. According to the labeling on the old lazer disc, it was released under the transfer supervision of Wm. Friedkin at the 1.66:1 original camera negative. I am reading this off my personal LD copy. I have compared the picture of the LD to the DVD for cropping and P&S alterations. There is no change or loss of picture between the two formats! What the studio did on the DVD was to anamorphically "squeeze" the whole 1.66:1 picture into the old academy 1.33:1 format. The DVD is not P&S. It has been altered to fit most standard size TV's without any loss of image. Anybody with a modern digital TV can play the DVD and select one of the TV's various zoom modes and stretch the image back to its proper ratio for viewing. This is what I have done and this is my opinion on the DVD. I would still like to see a new remastered BluRay with a full commentary and making-of documentary which is long overdue of this classic film. One of my all-time favorites.

IN DIRE NEED OF RESTORATION, PRESERVATION, AND RELEASE ON BLU-RAY

Reviewed by W. Craig, 2010-02-03

Adventure made spellbinding through astute direction and editing, a dark, foreboding electronic score and a series of memorable perils. Impressive how Friedkin could infuse such trepidation in nearly every frame. Even the trucks (with grills resembling snarling teeth) seem to be the embodiment of the demonic atmosphere accompanying (or compelling) these two crews to their respective inevitable destinies. Friedkin masterfully intercuts close-ups of the truck's components and gauges while the team of drivers restore the trucks for the journey ahead, but purposely skews a headlight or two for effect as they set out on the road. This is where the real adventure begins. The bridge set was well worth the expense of relocation, for it is the crown jewel of the picture. Whether intentional or not, there are lessons to learn from this story.

A treacherous journey...

Reviewed by Edmonson, 2010-01-15

"The Sorcerer" (1977) directed by William Friedkin is a remake of the French film from 1953 "The Wages of Fear". The story relates the tale of four European's who are down on their luck that drive two trucks over treacherous mountain roads carrying nitroglycerine in order to extinguish a oil well explosion. This version differs from the original in several ways, including the beginning, which focuses on the lives of the four men before they came to South America. We learn what drove the men to seek refuge in this outpost of civilization that hugs the edges of a jungle. What follows from this initial sequence of introductions is some of the most harrowing action episodes, including the arduous journey through the jungle with the trucks trespassing over a swollen river by route of a rickety bridge during a tempest. I'm reminded of some of the extremes a director will go to in order to make a film, such as Werner Herzog in "Aguirre, the Wrath of God", or in "Fitzcarraldo", or in Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now". Friedkin had insisted that the film be filmed in the Domincan Republic, and this lends the film an authenticity, and heightened drama, that is perhaps lacking in the 1953 version. The film gradually becomes ever more like a hallucination as this perilous heart of darkness journey takes Scanlon (Roy Scheider) to the edge of his wits. One of the most horrific and jarring scenes is that of the spent Scanlon stumbling like a zombie carrying the nitroglycerine. It is a frightening depiction of a man barely hanging onto his life. This film is a thriller based on realism, and is not a supernatural thriller as some might guess by the title. The title comes from the name painted on one of the trucks.

The film is notable for its electronic score by the German band Tangerine Dream. This particular version of the film is in 1.33:1 aspect ratio, but the original theatrical release had an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. One feels immersed within the jungle with the excellent Dolby Digital soundtrack in 5.1 channels. This film has not been remastered, though Friedkin's film "Cruising" (1980) was remastered in 2007 so there is some hope that this film will also get the same treatment in the future.

Sorcerer DVD

Reviewed by Richard D. Tatro, 2009-12-15

I've seen this movie, "Sorcerer" on television numerous times and I simply enjoy it and would like to watch it again at my own discretion instead of waiting (probably forever anymore) for it to come to television again. The DVD itself has a clear picture and sound (even better than I remember when I saw it on television).

One of my top 10 favorite movies of all Time

Reviewed by Robert Bruce Scott, 2009-09-06

A truly great movie.

Just in case you haven't read the other reviews, a partial summary of the plot: the movie revolves around 4 losers who have committed some kind of major mistake in their life. These mistakes are shown by what are essentially 4 separate opening vignettes. Then in order to escape the consequences of their actions, they have ran away and end up in HELL! Hell is a small really crappy South American town from which they have almost no chance of escape. It is in this hell that the four losers are brought together. Then if they brave almost certain death, they are offered a slim chance of redemption and an escape from this self made hell. Watch the movie to learn the rest.

The other reviews may talk about comparison to the original classic french film. Others may discuss the director and the production problems. What they all miss and don't discuss is the realism of this movie. All you have to do is watch this movie and you'll be convinced that they are truly in hell. The prettiest looking woman in town next to a toothless used up prostitute is the drawing of a woman on an old coca-cola tray. Even then when these losers stare at the tray it is open to question as to whether they lust more for this imaginary woman or the ice cold coke next to her. The hopelessness of their initial situation is made quite clear as is the fact that unless presented with a miracle this is a self created hell from which there is no escape.

This is not a movie for people who go to the cinema for escape and good feelings. This is not a chick flick where you cry twice and rejoice in a happy ending. This is a movie for those of us who are tired of such films and enjoy the total realism of this movie.

And the best thing of all is that the stark realism never lets up. Even when you think the hero(?) of the movie has escaped from his self made hell, there is one last surprise.

God, I love this movie.