Movie of the Week – The Wages of Fear

This week’s movie: The Wages of Fear (1953).

In a decrepit South American village, foreigners who came seeking riches find themselves stranded with no money, no prospects, and no way home. That is until they are offered a job. A company urgently needs a shipment of nitroglycerine to be transported across country to implode a burning oil well, but they do not have the proper safety equipment. Thus, this is a suicide job, but also maybe the only way any of these men will ever make enough money to get home.

The thriller is written and directed by French auteur Henri-Georges Clouzot (who is also responsible for one of the great horror mysteries of all-time: Diabolique). He worked with composer Georges Auric, cinematographer Armand Thirard (a frequent collaborator), and art director Rene Renoux on the film.

The film features a great ensemble cast including: Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Folco Lulli, Peter van Eyck, Vera Clouzot, and William Tubbs.

The Wages of Fear is one of cinema’s greatest thrillers (making my list of the Top 100 Films of the 20^th Century). It is a nerve-racking experience that grips its viewer throughout. But also, it is a fantastic character drama, exploring the best and worst that man is capable of. It is a must-see for fans of classic cinema and brilliant thrillers.

Trailer: Here

Available on: Blu-ray and Video On-Demand

Movie of the Week – Roman Holiday

This week’s movie is Roman Holiday (1953).

The romantic comedy is about Princess Ann, who is on a tour of European capitals. She is tired of her structured and controlled life and decides to run away while in Rome where she encounters newspaperman Joe Bradley. It is produced and directed by William Wyler (the man behind classics such as: Ben-Hur, The Big Country, The Best Years of Our Lives, Mrs. Miniver, and The Little Foxes) and written by then blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. Also working on the film were composer Georges Auric, cinematographers Henri Alekan and Franz Planer (a frequent collaborator with Wyler), art directors Hal Pereira and Walter H. Tyler, and legendary costume designer Edith Head. Audrey Hepburn (making her Hollywood debut) and Gregory Peck starred in the film with Eddie Albert in support. Roman Holiday was shot entirely in Rome, which was very uncommon for that time (studio backlots being so extensive). It is one of the great romance films, introducing the world to Audrey Hepburn who won the Best Actress Oscar for her work on the film (it won three Oscars in total; the other two being writing and costume design). It is the standard for which all future romantic comedies are set against, and a must-see for fans of the genre (and Wyler, Hepburn and/or Peck). Check out the trailer.

Available on DVD and Streaming