AVS Forum banner
Cancel
  • Take part in a short activity and share your valuable opinion on new design concepts for AVSForum! >>> Click Here
  • Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

Sorcerer

308 Views 10 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  FredProgGH, 
E
I saw this under-regarded (and financially unsuccessful) film in the theater when it was released and always wanted to see it again. I was not enthralled with THE WAGES OF FEAR, which I saw once about 4 years ago. Yesterday I found a used copy of SORCERER at Blockbuster's for $9.99, so I snatched it up.


Other than the distressing fact that it's pan and scan at 1.33:1 (I've read that the original was either 1.85:1 or 1.66:1 - and it's obvious in some scenes that the framing has been chopped at the sides), this is a great little movie, and its on-locale shooting and NO CGI and no stunt drivers scenes makes it a must-have if only for that. Roy Scheider says on the DVD somewhere (the insert or the notes on the Bonus features) that he can't believe he actually drove the truck across that bridge.


By the way, Sorcerer is the name of one of the trucks - this is NOT a horror or fantasy movie.


Both this and FEARLESS (with Jeff Bridges) scream for OAR releases, and both are little-known gems.
Save
Like
Status
Not open for further replies.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
P
since Universal has a deal with both Criterion (and i believe still Anchor Bay) some of us are really hoping one of them can get their hands on the film and give it a proper release.

if the current disc had just been open matte, i would have bit, but not when its actually cropped (as is the case).


i also feel the same way as you do regarding WoF.

i expected to really enjoy it, but just couldn't get in to it.

Love Sorcerer though. much underappreciated- as is his follow up film The Brinks Job
Save
Like
J
"Hey you hump!" "Whatta you gonna do with your money?" "Get laid!"

Over on the DVD Maniacs forum there was a recent thread about a screening of this in Austrailia that was attended by William Friedkin.He stayed for some Q&A that mentioned his desire to do an SE version of the film for DVD.
Save
Like
E
Quote:
Originally posted by jillbrazil
"Hey you hump!" "Whatta you gonna do with your money?" "Get laid!"

Over on the DVD Maniacs forum there was a recent thread about a screening of this in Austrailia that was attended by William Friedkin.He stayed for some Q&A that mentioned his desire to do an SE version of the film for DVD.
Remastered and OAR - Hurray!


I have mixed feelings about the ending, though.
Save
Like
J
THE ENDING!!! The ending was perfect 70s nihilistic.Nobody wins
Save
Like
E
Quote:
Originally posted by jillbrazil
THE ENDING!!! The ending was perfect 70s nihilistic.Nobody wins
I think I would have preferred
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) Spoiler  
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) just a fade-out with Roy dancing, leaving the viewer wondering if he'd ever find peace, or be forever hiding and on the run from place to place, still unable to get a peaceful night's sleep without the nightmares of the blow-ups, the car accident, etc. Having the two guys show up at the end seemed a bit too coincidental and ironic, as in: "If only he had gotten right on the plane and not asked for the dance...." Both endings (Friedkin's and mine suggestion) are each satisfying and dissatisfying in some ways. Friedkin's brings closure, however (that is, if you recognize/remember the guys - i.e., the mob boss's guy, and Roy's friend who helped him get out of the country).
See less See more
Save
Like
F
I heard about this one for years and finally tracked it down on VHS. I won't say it Freidkin's best movie, necessarily, but I think it's my personal favorite. If Criterion got a license to do it that would be a dream come true.
Save
Like
E
Quote:
Originally posted by FredProgGH
I heard about this one for years and finally tracked it down on VHS. I won't say it Freidkin's best movie, necessarily, but I think it's my personal favorite. If Criterion got a license to do it that would be a dream come true.
Since Criterion released THE WAGES OF FEAR, a set containg both these films (SORCERER remastered and anamorphic OAR, of course) would be an interesting prospect, but I don't think Criterion does that kind of thing.
Save
Like
S
but I don't think Criterion does that kind of thing.


Sure they do. They released two versions of The Lower Depths- one Kurosawa's- on a DVD, and I believe they do on some other title as well.


P.S. Didn't like Sorcerer but enjoyed The Wages of Fear quite a bit, though it's been years since I saw it and it may not have aged well (and as I understand it, it was all filmed in France).
Save
Like
B
I also saw this at the theater many years ago, and everytime I see the DVD for sale somewhere I'm tempted to pick it up so I can re-watch this great little film. Then I think better of it when I see that "4:3" on the back. This one deserves a new release for sure. I remember that incredible Tangerine Dream soundtrack setting the tone; this movie gets really intense.


BTW, up until now I always wondered why they named it "Sorcerer", because it's very misleading (especially when you see that Freidkin is the director). "Wages of Fear" would of course have been a much better title; I assumed there must have been legal reasons. Now that I know it's the name of one of the trucks, it makes some sense. Thanks eweiss!
Save
Like
F
I'll definitely have to pick up wages and check it out. It has an 8.9 rating on IMdB- pretty amazing!
Save
Like
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Status
Not open for further replies.
AVS Forum
A forum community dedicated to home theater owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about home audio/video, TVs, projectors, screens, receivers, speakers, projects, DIY’s, product reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Receivers, Amps, and Processors LCD Flat Panel Displays Speakers HDTV Programming Home Theater Computers
Top