Le Salaire De La Peur (aka The Wages Of Fear) (1953)

In a poverty stricken South American village that is dependant on a major American oil company for its meager source of income, four desperate men volunteer for a treacherous 300 mile trek across rough terrain driving trucks carrying nitroglycerin needed to put out an out of control oil fire. Based on the novel by Georges Arnaud, Henri Georges Clouzot's meticulous existential thriller is one of the great "white knuckle" rollercoaster rides of cinema. Of course, it's more than a cinematic joyride which is why it continues to fascinate through the decades. Clouzot takes his time in setting up the exposition so we can feel the oppressiveness of the town. A full hour passes before the trek even starts. Clouzot doesn't shy away from portraying the American oil companies exploitation of third world countries and, indeed, when the film was first released in America, almost 30 minutes were cut that were perceived to be anti-American (as well as some implied homosexuality). The four leads: Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Peter Van Eyck and Folco Lulli all give finely fleshed out performances and since Montand and Vanel play rather unlikable characters, to their credit that we are still invested in what happens to them. The B&W cinematography by Armand Thirard (AND GOD CREATED WOMAN) is perfection. With Vera Clouzot, William Tubbs and in a brief but touching performance, Luis De Lima.