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Daily Movie Recommendation - Sorcerer (1977)

Review by @vincentnijman · 3055d · of Sorcerer

sorcerer.jpg

I usually prefer original movies over remakes, first films in a series over sequels to that film and so on. But there are, of course, exceptions. This is one of these exceptions. Although, I must admit that this is actually a remake from a classic - and apparently very good - French film from the fifties. Namely, Le Salaire de la Peur. A movie that I've never seen.

NOTE TO SELF: Go watch that film

By now, 41 years after its release date, Sorcerer can be called a classic too. A classic that I only got to see for the first time this decade. It has survived the test of time.

Before my first watch, I actually thought that it would be a totally different kind of film. Its title gave me the idea that it was a film that I wouldn't necessarily be interested in. I felt it would be some kind of epic Hollywood blockbuster, not really my thing.

Let's just say that, when I found out that this was actually a remake of a very good film. And that is was directed by William Friedkin - who made both The Exorcist and The French connection - I started to become really interested in giving it a watch. The fact that it starred Roy Scheider (Jaws, Marathon Man) made it even more interesting for me. Combine that with the fact that the French original - that I had downloaded earlier - yeah, I still torrented back then - was unplayable. For some kind of reason I wasn't able to watch it.

As soon as I sat down to watch Sorcerer, I was hooked. When the end credits rolled over the screen, it had become one of my favorite movies and easily one of my favorite action movies. It's a masterful example of suspense. I wish I had seen this in cinema. That must have been a crazy experience.

And I will tell you one more thing about it: If you learn about the hardships that cast and crew had to go through to make this film, I'm sure you will like it even more. Not that that's necessarily. It's a masterpiece.

Here's it's trailer:

Source

What do you think of this film? Got any stories to share about your experience watching this? Haven't seen it yet? After having seen the trailer and reading my review, would you like to see it? Or have you perhaps seen Le Salaire de la Peur too? I would love to hear your opinion on that?


Earlier movie recommendations:

The Birds (1963) Suspiria (1977) Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) Nightcrawler (2014) Ghost Story (1953) Alice in the Cities (1974) Altered States (1980) Wake in Fright (1973)
Image source: Sorcerer Poster

Comments · 3

  • @spiritualmax(65)· 3054d

    Never saw this one, Truth be told, I feel like you're digging deeper, these start to be unknown to me, at least the majority.

  • @stephie.spicer(61)· 3055d

    Looks good, I'll have to check it out. :)

  • @herverisson(70)· 3055d

    Ok, I have seen Le Salaire de la Peur, and in my opinion it's superior. I like very much Sorcerer, but it's a bit let down by the long expositions of all the characters (a thing we don't have in Clouzot's movie). However, credit to Friedkin for his amazing movie... some scenes are simply unbelievably gripping and you wonder how they were able to shoot it!