The Wages of Fear (French: Le Salaire de la Peur) (1953) 

The Wages of Fear (French: Le Salaire de la Peur) (1953)

Director: Georges Clouzot

Watched: 3/30/18

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

 

Wasted first hour,

Some boring and dated parts,

Forced and rushed ending,

Ironically fitting.

But complaints end there.

From psychology standpoint,

Effective, telling

Human nature inquiry.

Cowardice, pride,

Four men are “paid to be scared”,

But paid very well.

Nitroglycerin transport,

One wrong move ends all.

“To fear is to be human”,

But is it worth it?

These men find out the hard way.

Once started, hang on!

Clouzot sets up key scenes well,

No Michael Bay here,

More subtle suspense and thrill.

Slow but steady wins the race.