Press Release Criterion Press Release: The Wages of Fear (1953) (4k UHD Combo) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

​

In a squalid South American oil town, four desperate men sign on for a suicide mission to drive trucks loaded with nitroglycerin over a treacherous mountain route. As they ferry their explosive cargo to a faraway oil fire, each bump and jolt tests their courage, their friendship, and their nerves. The result is one of the greatest thrillers ever committed to celluloid, a white-knuckle ride from France’s legendary master of suspense Henri-Georges Clouzot.

FILM INFO​

• France
• 1953
• 152 minutes
• Black & White
• 1:37:1 (4K UHD); 1.33:1 (Blu-ray and DVD)
• French, Spanish, English, Italian, German
• Spine #36
  
  HENRI-GEORGES CLOUZOT
  

  The Wages of Fear​

  In a squalid South American oil town, four desperate men sign on for a suicide mission to drive trucks loaded with nitroglycerin over a treacherous mountain route. As they ferry their explosive cargo to a faraway oil fire, each bump and jolt tests their courage, their friendship, and their nerves. The result is one of the greatest thrillers ever committed to celluloid, a white-knuckle ride from France’s legendary master of suspense Henri-Georges Clouzot.
  

  FILM INFO​

  • France
  • 1953
  • 152 minutes
  • Black & White
  • 1:37:1 (4K UHD); 1.33:1 (Blu-ray and DVD)
  • French, Spanish, English, Italian, German
  • Spine #36

  • 4K UHD + BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES​

    • New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
    • One 4K UHD disc of the film and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
    • Interviews with assistant director Michel Romanoff and Marc Godin, biographer of director Henri-Georges Clouzot
    • Interview with actor Yves Montand from 1988
    • Henri-Georges Clouzot: The Enlightened Tyrant, a 2004 documentary on the director’s career
    • Censored, an analysis of cuts made to the film for its 1955 U.S. release
    • Program on the film’s 4K restoration
    • Trailers
    • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
    • PLUS: An essay by novelist Dennis Lehane and a compilation of interviews with the cast and crew of the film
      
      New cover by Juan Esteban Rodríguez
      
      March 4, 2023

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

https://www.amazon.com/Wages-Fear-C...efix=the+wages+of+fear+4k,movies-tv,97&sr=1-2

 

[SD_Brian]

Will wait for reviews on this one. Not sure if there would be sufficient 4K benefit to justify an upgrade.

 

[Capt D McMars]

Interesting, so the Sorcerer was the remake...

 

[dpippel]

Y

Interesting, so the Sorcerer was the remake...

Yes, Sorcerer was a remake of Wages of Fear.

 

[TheSteig]

Y

Yes, Sorcerer was a remake of Wages of Fear.

and like most remakes, it was inferior !

 

[bujaki]

It is longer than the previously released Criterion versions, which is good news.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Will wait for reviews on this one. Not sure if there would be sufficient 4K benefit to justify an upgrade.

You could buy the new Blu-ray coming on March 4th which is derived from a new 4K scan and is longer than the 2009 BD release.

 

[dpippel]

and like most remakes, it was inferior !

I agree, but both films are good. One just happens to be better than the other.

 

[titch]

I have the BFI 4K UHD and posted about it in February. This is one title I would be happy to see Criterion apply their "grain-smoothing" to.

The Wages of Fear 4K/UHD BFI release

On February 5th the BFI will release on 4K disc The Wages of Fear. One of my favorite foreign films and a easy purchase for me but maybe Criterion might release one too? 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) Audio commentary by film critic Adrian Martin (2017)...

www.hometheaterforum.com

 

[Douglas R]

I have the BFI 4K UHD and posted about it in February. This is one title I would be happy to see Criterion apply their "grain-smoothing" to.

The Wages of Fear 4K/UHD BFI release

On February 5th the BFI will release on 4K disc The Wages of Fear. One of my favorite foreign films and a easy purchase for me but maybe Criterion might release one too? 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) Audio commentary by film critic Adrian Martin (2017)...

www.hometheaterforum.com

I’m perfectly content with the BFI Blu-ray.

 

[SD_Brian]

You could buy the new Blu-ray coming on March 4th which is derived from a new 4K scan and is longer than the 2009 BD release.

Hmmm... didn't realize this was a longer cut of the movie.

 

[SD_Brian]

I agree, but both films are good. One just happens to be better than the other.

My problem with Sorcerer

Spoiler

is the then-modern day setting, and the fact that the action during the first hour of the film takes place right next to a busy airport. To me, this begs the question of why they couldn't either use a helicopter to transport the explosives to the oil platform or else phone the mainland and have some more stable explosives flown in. If this was explained in the movie, I missed it.

 

[ahollis]

I saw Sorcerer before I saw Wages Of Fear. I was engrossed and on the edge of my seat with Sorcerer, but when I saw Wages, it was a complete different experience for the better. I will be getting this release.

 

[JPCinema]

I also have the BFI 4K with Dolby Vision/ HDR
Criterion release is only 4K. I’m very happy I have the BFI 4K. For me, the image could not look any better.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I have the BFI 4K UHD and posted about it in February. This is one title I would be happy to see Criterion apply their "grain-smoothing" to.

The Wages of Fear 4K/UHD BFI release

On February 5th the BFI will release on 4K disc The Wages of Fear. One of my favorite foreign films and a easy purchase for me but maybe Criterion might release one too? 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) Audio commentary by film critic Adrian Martin (2017)...

www.hometheaterforum.com

I just purchased the BFI 4K/UHD and will see how it looks on my 77" OLED.

 

[dpippel]

I just purchased the BFI 4K/UHD and will see how it looks on my 77" OLED.

I'll be interested to read your impressions, Robert.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Amazon preorder is live. See post #2