Sorcerer Review - Off The Shelf Reviews

[@davydevilution3483]

One of my favorite Roy Scheider performances was in MARATHON MAN (1976) with Dustin Hoffman & Laurence Olivier

[@xenablossom4682]

"Is it safe?"

[@theman4884]

@@xenablossom4682 I was the only one in the theater who got that joke in Hot Shots.

[@lorenzodicapo6305]

Thanks for doing this. I was a teenager when this film came out, I went to see it because the poster was cool. I'm sixty now, William Friedkin has just passed, and I've realized that this is my favorite of his films. Well acted, intelligent, explosive, unmercifully tense, I remember my stomach was tied in knots when I exited the theater, and I was sad and frustrated. That is a completely positive review. The audacity to follow up the Exorcist with something so subtly brutal, intelligent and deliberately paced is a testament to his status as a true auteur. I can't say enough....the acting, the effects, the dialog, it's everything that current action/adventures aren't. Thanks again RIP William Friedkin

[@sheikyebouti184]

Hey guys. Another Friedkin film that is worth a watch is 'To live and die in L.A.' starring Willem Dafoe and William Petersen.

[@MrCarpen7er]

Not only that one, lol.

[@georgesimpson7789]

I am absolutely elated that you guys chose to review this masterpiece. One of my favorite films of all time.

[@UltimateNinja1984]

A Fuckin masterpiece :)

[@subliminalpain]

Saw this movie for the first time today... it is a hidden gem.

[@EbonyPope]

Unironically one of the best movies of all time. I just discovered it recently by accident. Watched it without any preparation. I was completely blown away and am now telling everyone and their grandmother about this piece of art.

[@ManDuderGuy]

Im up late sick; thanks for the upload gents, from across the pond.

[@Rob-sk1im]

There's no question about it, Scheider was such a strong actor. This film and everything he did in the 70s was on par with Deniro and Pacino. Too bad his career fizzled by the 90s.

[@voodoochile333]

There was no competition between the trucks. They would have all got paid. The second truck was just a backup because the journey was so dangerous that the likely hood was one truck wouldn't make it.

[@Protoman85]

What about when Roy goes on about getting double pay when he thinks the others are dead?

[@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244]

@@Protoman85 Greediness from a crook. What do you expect? This doesn't prove that any of them were hoping the other truck would fail. The note on the bridge "Good Luck," and the big tree scene proved they knew they were a team. But they also knew the second truck was a backup.

[@pootytang69]

@@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244 I think you're also missing the forest for the trees - they were both a team and not a team - they were only a team so much in that all their goals aligned, they were all people desperate to get that money. AFAIK he was deadly serious when he was gloating they'd get bonus pay for being the only ones to make it. ALSO AFAIK, I don't recall it ever being mentioned that one of the trucks was backup - it's definitely implied to be redundant, but it's never outright stated. If one of them had been told he was only getting paid if he screwed over the others, I don't think any of them would be saying "BUT THE TEAM!" - they're not a team, they're just working together when it benefits the situation.

[@Abweichung]

Thanks for reviewing this movie for me guys!

[@bessarion1771]

My introduction to Tangerine Dream music....

[@el4174]

I like how you guys keep calling Scheider's character Brody....cuz, of course, he IS Brody. Also, nice cut-scene from Jaws 2 when Brody is driving and having flashbacks...!!!

[@alberttorres5157]

Once again you guys don't disappoint. Keep them reviews coming.

[@cruddddddddddddddd]

It's interesting to me that Roy Scheider runs from a pillar of water (after the wreck), then runs towards a pillar of fire at the end. This is an underrated film - good stuff

[@EbonyPope]

What is the pillar of water supposed to symbolize in your mind?

[@pootytang69]

@@EbonyPope In theory it could represent that to truly be clean of his past he has to wash himself of his mistakes - and in moving away from water and towards fire, he's simply fleeing his past and moving towards destruction/being consumed by running from the past. This aspect of the film's themes felt very similar to cowboy bebop (four strangers come together out of convenience whilst running from their own personal pasts.)

[@EbonyPope]

@@pootytang69 I don't know. I would like to know OPs thoughts on that. Sorcerer truly is a great movie. Beyond anything I've seen since a VERY long time.

[@pootytang69]

@ OP posted 2 years ago buddy - Water in visual mediums in relation to crime and violence is universally a symbol of cleansing oneself of ones sins, rebirth, renewal. What is your interpretation of what it meant, or do you think the director didn't even mean for this visual metaphor?

[@EbonyPope]

@ Well I too respond to comments I made years ago. So who knows? I think most interpretations need to be grounded in something. I appreciate your effort but I can't help but feel a little like the kid when the teacher sees symbolism in everything despite it having very mundane reasons. That isn't to say that there can't be deeper meaning. Especially directors like Kubrick or Friedkin were known to use a lot of especially subliminal messaging. But in this case I think it's pretty straight forward. The water is I think just a nice contrast to the fire that is raging near by. Also it's seen as the exact opposite of fire as an element as the greeks understood it. I don't think that there is a deeper religious meaning behind it. What I do see though is existential dread in his look when he receives the money the next day. The absolute emptiness in Roy Scheider's face. It looks as if he knows that he did all that for nothing. That is what I meant with existential dread in my other comment. No other movie did I ever see capture that so cleanly and succinctly. It's that dread you feel when you think you are just a pawn of fate. After all he seems to know he will soon die. He asks for one last dance and the movie ends. No other film has ever left me with that sinking feeling of sometimes everything you do doesn't make even a shred of difference in the greater scope of things. As a movie a true masterpiece. Beyond words. Beyond any other thriller I have ever seen in my life and I'm not exaggerating.

[@ericchong5963]

One of my favorite William Friedkin movies! He didn't just copy from the original French movie The Wages of Fear. Instead he made his own version of the story with his style. It's as good as the original, if not better.

[@johnashley327]

Saw this as a kid in the 70's. The best part was when they start driving with the nitro.

[@jwnj9716]

What can I say about Sorcerer? Super underrated, fantastic soundtrack by Tangerine Dream. A better version of Suicide Squad and one of the best remakes. Its similar to The Long Walk, a long path to hell. The part was written for Steve Mcqueen but it didn't happen, still, the film works. Plus it was funny to see Joe Spinell.

[@ericpullin2354]

Thanks Gary and Iain! Great choice. "Sorcerer" is a forgotten masterpiece and your review did it justice. I've seen this brilliant film twice, once as a kid with my father at the theatre (as an eleven-year-old it genuinely disturbed me) and later as an adult (when I was more jaded and detached). I now show it to students to show that there is no hope.

[@Rob-sk1im]

That's incredible that you show this to your students. I saw it when I was around 9, and knew then that Sorcerer was superb.

[@hypnocilicdreams]

This is a Friedkin film I've never seen, but I do have access to a copy so I will watch the film first in anticipation of your review! Thanks guys

[@supoa9489]

The film is an underrated gem, the fact that protagonist's of the film essentially outcasts and viewed as the scum of society make it unique. Watching them grow throughout the journey is rewarding despite their immoral past and possible nefarious plans in the future you star see the redeeming qualities among them and you eventually root for them.

[@ParkerMcgraw]

I absolutely love this review. Watched this for the first time this week and adored it. Love all the details you throw in. Subscribed.

[@chadatchison145]

I forgot this was a movie, it makes you wonder how many other movies slipped your mind. Like Iain I saw this movie late at night on TV ages ago, and I was pleasantly surprised how engaging it was, especially since the channel I watched it on was notorious for playing real stinkers.

[@sonnysolstice5139]

Like your 'Killing Joke' shirt, Iain !!

[@honspeter6208]

40:25 cheeky bastards! I spat out my coffee all over my keyboard because of you

[@EbonyPope]

Unironically one of the best movies of all time. I just discovered it recently by accident. Watched it without any preparation. I was completely blown away and am now telling everyone and their grandmother about this piece of art.

[@andragg]

The pipe organ heard throughout the movie sound track was performed by Keith Jarrett from his album "Hymns and spheres" released in 1976 on ECM records. It says this in the credits, but is almost at the end of the credits. Friedkin mixes the pipe organ at times with Tangerine Dreams syths. I wanted to see the movie when it came out in 1977 because I was a big Jarrett fan and had that pipe organ record, although Jarrett plays piano most of the time. But it played in one multi-cinema for only one week, so I missed out and had to wait to see it 4 years later at 3:00 am on HBO once. I am glad it finally is getting the attention it deserves. I made a VHS tape of it when it was on Cinemax in 1984 and I would show it to friends who all loved it.

[@xenablossom4682]

Another overlooked William Friedkin movie to check out is his supernatural horror flick, "The Guardian."

[@jackthenarrator4735]

Nice to see a fellow fan of "Vertical Limit" in Iain. I myself couldn't help but be reminded of it the first time I saw "Sorcerer".

[@5anjuro]

One of the few instances where a sequel is justified. I'd like to think Scanlon/Dominguez survived the shootout at the tavern, and emerged in some other hot humid place a few years later, now a professional adventurer, perhaps a smuggler of some sort.

[@Rob-sk1im]

Nice thought, but death was their destiny.

[@seanmcmanus9575]

Amazing film and very underrated its just a shame it came out pretty much the same time as star wars so it had no chance as always fantastic review as always

[@jimmerhardy]

After Friedkin saw the Europe re-cut, re-titled asThe Wages of Fear, he sued, and after years, won.

[@MEDUSATHERULER]

FUCK YEAH BOYS! YOU MADE MY THURSDAY! MUCH LOVE FROM AMERICA!!

[@christophermacintyre5890]

The opening of The French Connection also took place in a foreign country (France) with subtitles. People had short memories.

[@maxheadshot3287]

Quite frankly i miss something when i watch this movie, it doesn't get me emotionally. It's pretty hard to connect to the people, it should have more dialogue, more interaction or drama between them. It's too nihilistic for my taste. Edit: it looks like that they had changed the trucks after the tree because Roy Scheider was always first, how and why ? How did they get over the little landslide after the shooting ?

[@handsomestik]

One of Mark Kermode's favorite films

[@AJ-HawksToxicFinger]

I saw this film as a kid back in 79 or 80 on cable tv (ON TV was what it was called) and only remembered the second half of the film, but I remembered ALL of the second half.

[@danielgrimes8312]

This movie is really good

[@TheUballe]

Ah, got my OTSR fix!

[@AubreyTheKing]

Great review you guys! I really enjoyed it! :)

[@commanderkruge]

Soundtrack written and performed by the German electronic band Tangerine Dream.

[@commanderkruge]

Should've waited for the last minute before writing this. :D

[@Boogenhagen100]

some of the best dialogue ever. Nilo - "make your move", short sweet and to the point.

[@Orlor]

I remember my parents taking me to this movie thinking it was going to be a fantasy movie with wizards in it.

[@Kaiyanwang82]

"The Journey" from TD for this movie is one of the best tracks of the genre, ever.

[@kidgforce1]

First scene: hitman in Vera Cruz. Later: Lobsters from Vera Cruz are dismissed in a Parisian restaurant because lobsters like colder water.

[@wopjohn]

Did they mention the music? Maybe i missed it

[@Jay-mu4xl]

I love Thursday review day!

[@snowglade]

Is that a Space Wolves tattoo Gary? This film is on you tube in full length

[@vinniecorleone62]

I very much enjoyed the both of you sharing your personal thoughts on this masterpiece I love & saw with my father new in '77. "Star Wars" radically overshadowed it at the many theaters it was shown at then at the time. I have the remastered Blu-ray Digibook today with Friedkin's notes on the film from his excellent book about his time making many of his iconic movies.

[@jonsimpson9640]

A brilliant review guys! I love your opinions and it makes the film even more special.

[@mecrumbly429___4]

Tangerine dream produced the soundtrack for another hidden gem in 1988, called “Miracle Mile”.

[@mediasawdust2458]

1981's Thief as well.

[@Protoman85]

I don't know if you've played the game Spec Ops The Line, but this movie to me was like that game, the journey and the descent into madness... Damn Friedkin, you a good director. Though I actually didn't like French Connection very much, believe it or not. But this, To live and die in LA and Crusing I all like a lot

[@ericarmstrong6540]

The reviewers here, and many movie goers in general, expect too much explanation by the filmmaker from their movies, IMHO. The overriding theme of the movie is the cruelty of fate. One interpretation of the fact that both trucks end up at the same bridge traveling two different paths is that no matter the choices we make, we cannot escape the fate that awaits us.

[@dynjarren7523]

The soundtrack was so cool by Tangerine. Synth music.

[@grantharrismusic]

The version of the movie that I saw finished with the two mafia hitmen walking into the cantina and then you hear a gunshot and know they’ve killed Brody.

[@harlequincat]

Thanks for the recommendation, you guys!

[@Drevenhaven]

Doesn't one of the police men say that the guy nicknamed "Marquez" was a Nazi veteran? Did he not speak German with Bruno's character? I think Kassem thought of him as a fellow fighter of Jewish occupation.

[@nickgavis0305]

This movie looks awesome

[@4833-o1b]

After watching your review, it makes me think of the novel Dogs of War by Forsyth. Straight up disposable mercenaries working for a company that doesn't care about them doing the dirt and no happy endings.

[@beccaroobanzai8751]

I was at the same marshmallow concert 😂 Becky from Texas

[@theman4884]

Nilo was there to assassinate Scanlon (Brody). He failed so the mob sent the other guy.

[@zanemagers7465]

Great review 👍 definitely need to check this one out! Cheers fellas

[@NVOLIKOS]

Great review guys,for one of the most immersive films ever made. True masterpiece!

[@UnCreativeDeconstructionism]

Goddamn boys. You really know how to put a man onto movies. *Turn Up!!!*

[@christophermirkovich7290]

Im only a third of the way in through.... this may be the Best review I seen in a few months of any movie.... nice Job guys

[@ericwyatt3646]

One of the most brilliant films ever made.

[@MrJoebuck74]

I'm still waiting a dvd with the longer version, if you pay attention when Scanlon start to crack up driving in circle we see previews misfortunes of him and there is in the editing a little snippet with Nilo driving Lazaro downhill alomost losing control of the truck. I know there are other sequences omitted from the final editing by Friedkin, I saw a few pictures and I've herad at one point Friedkin wanted to issue a director cut but so far this has never happened. I saw the old version by Clouzot, it's a very good movie but utterly different from Sorcerer outer than the story, maybe the best version is a blend of both but I prefer Sorcerer.

[@Boogenhagen100]

only complete idiots need the entire story spoonfed to them, sorcerers beginning rivals the exorcist in terms of setting the scene for whats to come.

[@Boogenhagen100]

no way in hell any of those other dudes pulls off a dominguez like Roy. RIP Roy

[@AarenJable]

Ah, I've heard of this but I've never seen it.

[@xenablossom4682]

I remember recommending this film to the guys and I see it as the newest review! Morning made.

[@4833-o1b]

What do you got for us tonight boys? Never heard of this flick. Let's dive in.

[@glock38]

I thought it was implied that Marquez was a Nazi on the run and the fancy dude in the hat was a Nazi hunter.

[@josh72456]

The French Connection also stars of in a foreign country which is in Marseille in France.

[@gerryboudreaultboudreault2608]

I believe Sorcerer was filmed in the Dominican Republic.

[@josh72456]

@@gerryboudreaultboudreault2608 Yes I know but I referred to the other film since it was made by the same director.

[@familyread7889]

Love this review 👍🏼

[@janickgoudeau6126]

Wasn't the original Humphrey Bogart in the wages of fear?

[@DrRockso79]

I think I'd be interested in a movie like this but I'd also be pissed if I paid to see a movie called Sorcerer in the theater and it wasn't about an actual sorcerer.

[@4833-o1b]

When I go see a film called Reservoir Dogs, I expect to see some puppers.

[@jamesgrassia844]

Never seen either movie, I'm going to try for them. P S, there is another one made in the fifties with Brian Keith. I don't remember the name, I just found out of this one. Thank you guys.

[@ghostlightx9005]

Fantastic movie, Friedkin's best, but Wages of Fear is better.

[@mattmidgley4275]

OTSR 👊👊

[@Boogenhagen100]

out of those 4 guys, only 2 of them i would even remotely believe know anything about cars - dominguez and kaseem, manzon no way, he was a french banker, nilo, he was a goddamned hitman. cmon bill.

[@Boogenhagen100]

most people dont realize while you can put anything you want on film, its the editor who makes a story and brings a film to life. friedkin is a great director but his editors are fucking wizards.

[@MarkWheeler-p1g]

You should review To Live and Die in LA by Firedkin

[@hoverpantsz262]

This movie is freekin amazing visually and acterly ..makin up words but its great thaank you guys.

[@stargazermoonshowers]

Ians shirt is fuckin dope as shit you got style homie👍👍👍👍

[@victorvictor8587]

How About "Witches of EastWick"?

[@TeaBoneZombie]

fuck I wish I watched the film before this review. it sounds intense!

[@jake4919]

Masterpiece.

[@cjlaity1]

RIP Freekin'

[@vanssan1414]

fuck me knocked it out of ballpark again thankyou guys xxx

[@VisualTedium]

Thnx fellas. Our last name only has 1 L btw

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

Never seen this but now I want to although the trope has been used over and over again in medias as diverse as the original MacGyver and even Joe 90. If you want some good South American movies try Green Ice or Alive and the only real bomb disposal film is Juggernaut. For my money Brodie showed the hitmen the cheque and told them he's the only man to be able to cash it and he'll split it with whomever kills the other. When the survivor does so he's then killed by villagers who are so grateful to Brodie for his heroism.

[@druidriley3163]

My head canon of the end of this movie ended somewhat similarly. Though Brodie would have to leave again because if no one sent to kill him comes back...but that might be good. He could end up in a small town in Utah and no one would know he'd returned.

[@guyjperson]

I've heard this is a great movie. Ive made three attempts to watch it all the way through and I've failed all three times. I think Scheider is a great actor, but I just can't get into this thing.

[@druidriley3163]

OMG. This movie is SUPERB, a hidden gem and now a classic and Iain mentions it and the pure trash Vertical Limit in the same sentence?!?!? OMG. Gary, shut him up about Vertical Limit.

[@UltimateNinja1984]

A Fuckin Masterpiece!

[@samuelward1148]

Yes!!!

[@derekosullivan470]

Wow that was good

[@stephendoriankutos4429]

Love your show and liked this review, but your facts need checking. Steve McQueen was his first and only choice for the role, and when they couldn't agree on compromises Friedkin went with Scheider, and I think Scheider was upset when he learned this after the movie came out, and never really spoke about the film or Friedkin too much in his life after that. Rabal and Amidou were his first choices for their roles.

[@birtangooner4730]

👍🎬🎥

[@christophermirkovich7290]

ITS NOT a REMAKE LOL that what WF claims

[@1987MartinT]

If I was watching this I'd be annoyed at the lack of the sorcerer promised in the title. Maybe don't name your movie in a way that makes people think it'll feature something that's not featured in it. Don't call your movie Memphis Gang War if it's about farmers in Upstate New York, don't title your movie The Mars Colony if it's a court drama that never leaves Earth, and don't title your movie Sorcerer if it's about 4 refugees transporting explosives. If there's no sorcerer in a movie named Sorcerer then, no matter how good the movie was, at the end I'll be like "Where was the motherfucking sorcerer?! I sat through the entire movie waiting for the sorcerer promised by the title to show up! Where was he?!" which will probably have a negative impact on my opinion on the movie, as I will feel I've been lied to.

[@supoa9489]

The title meant to be metaphorical, your complaint is juvenile and unfounded as you can make same argument for hundreds of films.

[@druidriley3163]

I think 1987Martin was joking. If he wasn't, then yeah, he missed the fact that movie is named after the truck in the movie. The truck is named Sorcerer.

[@1987MartinT]

@@druidriley3163 So that's the explanation for the name. Thanks.

[@1987MartinT]

@@supoa9489 The fact that my complaint can be used about multiple things does not make it "juvenile" and/or "unfounded". It makes it more relevant since the thing that the complaint is about is apparently rampantly occurring.

[@Stereostupid]

This movie is awesome great story !

[@Stereostupid]

Films of this quality may be gone forever