“Sorcerer” (1977) directed by William Friedkin, starring Roy Scheider / Z-View

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Sorcerer (1977)

Director: William Friedkin

Screenplay: Walon Green basede on LE SALAIRE de la PEUR by Georges Arnaud

Stars: Roy Scheider, Amidou, Ramon Bieri, Peter Capell, Jacques François, Frank Pesce, Tom Signorelli and Joe Spinell.

Tagline: WANTED. Four men willing to drive a cargo of death to escape a life in hell.

The Plot…

Four men, on the run from their home countries have ended up in a small South American village.  They are:

  • Nilo, a Mexican hitman.
  • Kassem, an Arab terrorist
  • Victor, a French banker who embezzled millions
  • Jackie (Scheider), a U.S. getaway driver. During his last robbery one of his partners killed the brother of a Mafia kingpin.  Jackie, like each of these men has been marked for death.

All four men have by accident ended up in the same poor South American village.  They eek out a meager living working long hours for an American oil company.  When one of the company’s oil wells explodes, the only way to put out the resulting fire is by explosion.

Two truckloads of highly explosive nitroglycerin need to be transported to the oil well.  The journey will go through rainforests, over raging rivers, dangerous mountain roads, and areas where bandits kill travelers.  The company offers a huge bonus for any drivers willing to attempt the suicide mission.

Nilo, Kassem, Victor and Jackie are selected.  The four men will have to overcome personal differences and all of the obstacles of the trip… even then not all will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Stephen King has said that Sorcerer is his all time favorite movie.

Director William Friedkin said that the shoot was plagued by malaria, food poisoning and injury.  Friedkin contacted malaria and lost 50 pounds.

The decaying bridge scene over a raging river is a classic.  Despite looking like it could collapse at any moment, it was a special effect masterpiece.  It cost $1 million to construct.  The water below was only one and a half feet deep.  Friedkin created the visual effect of a raging river using wind machines, helicopters and huge water hoses.  The visuals are amazingly real.

Reportedly Friedkin wasn’t happen with Scheider in the starring role.  Friedkin wanted Steve McQueen.  McQueen would only agree if his wife, Ali McGraw was also cast.  Friedkin refused, so McQueen dropped out.  Friedkin then went after Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Gene Hackman and Kris Kristofferson without success.  Friedkin agreed to have Scheider take the lead.  Friedkin later called it the worst casting decision he ever made.

The film has achieved a cult status, but was considered a failure when released.

The final scene is a classic.  A sound effect lives the viewer to determine the ending.

Sorcerer (1977) rates 4 of 5 stars.