Newly restored in 4K, the edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller is now available in a dual format release from BFI with a host of special features.
Regarded as ‘a masterpiece of suspense’ by Dunkirk director, Christopher Nolan, The Wages of Fear, based on the 1950 French novel Le Salaire de la peur, was critically hailed upon its original release, winning Best Picture honours at Cannes and propelling both its director Henri-Georges Clouzot and leading man Yves Montand to international stardom.
It’s the gripping story of four down-at-heels drifters (including Montand) who take on a dangerous task – to drive two truck loads of nitro-glycerine along unmade roads and rough terrain to an oil-rig fire 300-miles away.
One of the most suspenseful movies ever made, this is also one of the most blisteringly cynical in its view of human nature. The paint-peeled decay of the sleazy town marvellously complements the shabby personalities of the four anti-heroes and once the lorries start rolling there’s the agonising expectation of an explosion at any moment...
SPECIAL FEATURES • New 4K restoration of the original French theatrical release, this is the longest version of the film (152mins) to be released in the UK. Presented in both HD and SD. • Interview with Assistant Director Michel Romanoff (2005, 23mins) • Interview with Clouzot biographer Marc Godin (2005, 10mins) • Interview with Professor Lucy Mazdon (2017, 35mins): an in-depth interview about Henri-Georges Clouzot and The Wages of Fear • Audio commentary with film critic Adrian Martin • The Guardian Lecture: Yves Montand in conversation with Don Allen (99 mins, audio only): recorded in 1989 • Original theatrical trailer • Illustrated booklet
https://youtu.be/cmToeytaVoc
