The Wages of Fear

Movie

1953

2h 28m

PG-13

French

Drama, Thriller, Adventure

User Score:

8.2

Critic Score:

Watch on The Criterion Channel

In a run-down South American town, four men are paid to drive trucks loaded with nitroglycerin into the jungle through to the oil field. Friendships are tested and rivalries develop as they embark upon the perilous journey.

Play Trailer

The Wages of Fear

PG-13

Movie

1953

2h 28m

French

Drama, Thriller, Adventure

Play Trailer

Watch on The Criterion Channel

WATCHMODE

8.2

IMDB

CRITIC SCORE

Where to watch

Rent

$3.99HD

$2.99SD

Buy

$14.99HD

$14.99SD

Available in 2 other countries.

Filter sources:

See something wrong? Let us know

My Friends' Ratings

In order to see what your friends rated The Wages of Fear, you need a Watchmode account. It's free and takes just a minute. Create an account

Cast

Mario Livi

Mr. Jo

Bimba

Luigi

Linda

Camp Chief

Hans Smerloff

Pepito Hernandez

Bill O'Brien

Rosa

Bernardo

(uncredited)

(uncredited)

Directed By: Henri-Georges Clouzot

Written By: Henri-Georges Clouzot (Screenplay), Jérôme Géronimi (Screenplay), + 1 more

Featured Comments/Tips

JoeyvanAwesome says...

4 months ago

The beginning is quite boring, but I enjoyed it more as soon as they started driving. Not everything holds up, but most of it is fine. Biggest problem for me was, that they didn’t let Mario and Luigi drive together. :wink:

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

soonertbone says...

3 months ago

Astonishing creation of tension-building--the last 90 minutes are some of the most memorable you'll ever see. I remember the first hour being slow when I watched this in college, but upon rewatch it feels like the crux of the movie. The film wants us to understand the brutality and desperation that capitalism creates in order to better understand the journey the characters go on in the second half. It's like Sierra Madre on steroids, and it's incredibly effective.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

juliosoft says...

4 weeks ago

Great film that conveys very well the feelings of the protagonists, that tension while transporting the nitroglycerin.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

Maarten Delfgou says...

2 years ago

The original title of the film is Le Salaire de la Peur.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

Show all comments (5) Leave comment

Featured User Reviews

CinemaSerf

3 months ago

Four men are stranded in, quite literally, a dead end town with no money to get out. All they do each day is kill time, drink and get gradually more disillusioned. Then their luck changes. Or does it? A major fire breaks out at a nearby oil drilling facility and the manager needs a brave/foolhardy g More

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

JN2012

5 months ago

It’s always my honour to write the first review for a film, especially ones like this. It, however, upsets me that not many have seen this magnificent and harrowing masterpiece.

Like - Dislike - Comment - 00 0

Show all reviews (2) Write Review