Review of The Wages of Fear (1953) by Aditya M — 25 Oct 2013

Here we are in 2013, the age of the grand Hollywood blockbuster. You know the kind - it features a world in danger that is in urgent need of rescuing by one or more uniquely powered heroes. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on these films - There are bangs, crashes and explosions galore, and yet most of these completely fail to create any real sense of peril for their characters.

In this context, it's incredible how much suspense Henri-Georges Clouzot mined 60 years ago using just two trucks and some nitroglycerine. 'Wages of Fear' is a masterpiece, and it is not just about the thrills - it contains compelling characters, witty dialogue and a deep sense of irony that is exemplified by its ending.