William Friedkin on SORCERER

[@Tlamourep03]

Friedkin is a genius and this movie is one of the most underrated masterpieces in the history of american cinema.

[@jefflarsen393]

Totally agree. I went to a screening of it in SF and WF gave a talk afterwards. He also signed the jacket of Sorcerer's soundtrack for me. I've loved this film since I saw it when it came out.

[@lorenzodicapo6305]

Wow. The master's voice. Brilliant film. RIP William Friedkin

[@PipeAdams]

man...when they are crossing that bridge. Unbelievable film.

[@bassliveevil]

One of the best scenes ever

[@BRILLSTEELMOTORSPORT]

It took 3 months to make thoses 11 minutes and a budget of an entire movie

[@Njbear7453]

How about that wooden round bridge when they have to make the turn and the front wheel gets stuck?! So good

[@THEODSTKING117]

@@Njbear7453 That sequence was so well done. I love how pissed off the driver gets at the french guy after that happens and he tells him to keep going. Made it feel so real, like fuck off man lmao. Then that close up of the back of the truck just barely making the turn...craaazy

[@Njbear7453]

@@THEODSTKING117 what a crazy movie lol

[@spencerhardy8667]

The casting was perfect!!! When there's a big star, you know who's going to survive. The two deuce-and-a-halfs,"Lavelle" and "Sorceror" were as much part of the cast as the people. An absolute genius film that you need to watch twice just to see it all.

[@plasticweapon]

"lazarro", not lavelle. but you're spot on about the film. this made friedkin my favorite, and i was glad to find out that he considers it his best.

[@MrOctober44]

In fairness Roy Scheider was the big name and he survives.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Ya gotta love Deuces . . . .

[@Njbear7453]

@@MrOctober44does he ?

[@ThePilbaraPrince]

I just finished watching this film. What a movie. I never knew this film existed until saw and bought the blu-ray. It blew me away (no pun intended).

[@tmrezzek5728]

I'm a big Steve McQueen fan, but, no, he would've been miscast in the title role as a small-time New Jersey hoodlum. By contrast, Roy Scheider is perfect in the role; he has the look and mannerisms for the character.

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

yeah roy was good. didn't look irish tho.

[@lizzyobrien2376]

Steve McQueen would’ve definitely not have worked. I know Friedkin likes to think McQueen would’ve worked, but no way, no how. Scheider played the role absolutely perfectly.

[@mattangel7844]

Fuck that lol Steve McQueen would have made the film even Better. That’s a Fact

[@commanderkeen3787]

​@seanobrien5745 McQueen does gritty better than Scheider. I know Scheider was a boxer but McQueen owns the screen and exudes charisma, he can give an intense performance without saying a word

[@samuraininjarockstar9355]

Scheider was Scanlon , there’s No doubt he nailed that character, the other cast were also superb Bruno Cremer as Serrano ,Rabal as Nilo and Amidou as Kaseem all fantastic , brilliantly directed by Billy Freidkin and an excellent score by tangerine dream …..

[@milkocaceres3044]

Most underrated film ever.

[@artlover4668]

Sorcerer was just superb. Just wish this interview was less about the lawsuit and more questions about the movie itself!!!

[@moviegeeksunited]

+Jonathan Mueller Our full interviews - two of them which run about two hours in total- are here on our youtube channel. We discuss the content and making of Sorcerer at greater length.

[@jibberjabberr]

One of my favourite movies of all time. Simply amazing

[@CahuengaConfidential]

As a kid, I saw "Sorceror" in the theater on opening day, and loved it. A haunting, very intense movie. Along with "Chinatown," one of the great films noir of the 70s. William Friedkin, one of the greats.

[@DjangoPorter]

I saw. Sorcerer. Opening night at the. Theatre. When I was 6. Years old. And. It was. Way intense and. Hauntedme for years. Yet I. Was enthralled. By it. And. Watched it again. Few years ago and b. Yes i t a masterpeice

[@williamhare9776]

Just saw it this past weekend - Can't understand how it was critically derided at the time. Thought it was great.

[@Batou3]

Going up against Saturday Night Fever, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Smokey and the Bandit, and NOT TO MENTION STAR WARS.

[@ludlowryder8803]

Watched this for the first time today: absolutely brilliant film.

[@pipebombproductions88]

Sorcerer is an absolute masterpiece, Friedkin was a genius. RIP legend.

[@rickroscoe4734]

One of the best movies ever made, it had the misfortune to come out the week Star Wars premiered which caused it to get buried at the time. I saw it years later on Netflix and it blew me away. What a fine movie.

[@llama40204]

This movie is so damn good. Nail biting tension. Glad it's getting it's due now.

[@mondoenterprises6710]

LOL. I saw it when it first premiered across the block from Star Wars on 42nd st. and Bway, NYC in a mostly empty theater. The line for Star Wars was around the blocks. I have the og Movie Poster, the soundtrack, the lousy dvd, and the good bluray. In 1977 I was 15 y.o. It blew me away! The critics mostly trashed it at the time.

[@chiefscheider]

I was 12 and wanted to see it because the guy from Jaws was in it lol. Of course the family out voted me and we all went to see Star Wars. I didn't see Sorcerer until many years later when it came out on VHS. Loved it then and it's still a favorite.

[@KevinStriker]

I could listen to this man talk about the rights issues with 'Sorcerer' for hours, haha

[@mdjones2112]

I respect Friedkin but he's 100% wrong on the matter of Roy Scheider. I can't imagine a better actor for the role.

[@chrisinfiesto835]

💯 Saw it in the theater when it 1st came out & immediately felt Roy Scheider was cast because of his resemblance 2 Yves Montand (star of the original "Wages of Fear".....).

[@kanjoracer4914]

Just put the film away in my collection, My god what a film....Friedkin at his best. I have immediately put this in my top 5 favourite movies

[@danjameson1572]

the last two or three minutes of his statement is simply the apotheosis of artistic integrity. Bravo

[@jamesdavis6036]

I saw this in the movie theater when I was 13. Was blown away by it. One of the greatest suspenseful films I ever saw. The very end was a shocker! 5 stars!

[@bozzutoman]

I'm so glad Friedkin didn't go with Steve McQueen, et. al. Roy Scheider was the perfect lead, and the rest of the cast being relative unknowns synergized with the "strangers come together" element of the story. I was 11 when Sorcerer hit the theater, so Star Wars still consumed my attention at the time... then I saw it on HBO some months later, and it was a damn powerful experience; I watched it three time that day. It transformed how I thought about film.

[@grizzlywhisker]

Sorcerer is a really unique thriller film that is almost never talked about. Even after almost 50 years it remains in obscurity despite being a 10/10 masterpiece film from William Friedkin who was a rather large director.

[@Chertoff88]

Fuck Friedkin!Roy Schieder was amazing in that film

[@allsystemsgo8678]

The French Connection, The Exorcist, Sorcerer, and Cruising. That's quite a run. Killer Joe is great as well

[@chiefscheider]

To Live and Die in LA is also terrific

[@jamesdavis6036]

Cruising was a bomb. Meaning it was awful.

[@allsystemsgo8678]

@@jamesdavis6036 To each their own

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Hell, All that Jazz . . . .

[@ricomajestic]

I always enjoyed Blue Chips! Maybe not a classic but definitely entertaining!

[@carrion_man3700]

Sorcerer is damn masterpiece

[@handlethis78]

"What they've done is what the studios have always done, which is destroy their legacy." In more ways than one...

[@Colo118]

Good news from William Friedkin twitter back from February, aparently the got a print in good conditions of Sorcerer and theyre making a Bluray release of the film, check his twitter from time to time, he pretty active around this time.

[@Basilzaharoff1]

Would be terrific to see a clean up and re-cut of the sorcerer. Superb film,,,,, one of the best remakes

[@scitsalcoryp]

Recut ? WTF are you talking about you nimrod...that's the problem these days...people want to update classics...bollocks, leave it alone . It is one of the best movies ever made the way it is

[@waltermelnyk6207]

the cleanup happened - but I really disagree about the need to "re-cut" Sorcerer. Tarantino called it one of the best edited movies ever - and he is right.

[@scitsalcoryp]

Walter Melnyk Im gonna just come right out and say it ......Fuck Tarantino............did some bitch walk away and make him King of Hollyfucking weird.....not everyone sucks his membrane

[@moviegeeksunited]

Yes, he gave us the follow up in our latest interview with him. I believe both studios are claiming co-ownership, and they're in the process of restoring it right now (the picture is done - they're onto sound). It will come out on blu-ray later this year - first it will premiere at Venice, where Friedkin is getting their lifetime achievement award.

[@caludiocorrea480]

No fucking CGI

[@patkelley8293]

I haven't seen the movie. But as a kid in the late 70's I loved the soundtrack and imagery on the album cover. I'm going to try and find a copy.

[@shadegat3996]

I am so glad this film went onto Blue ray. I had wanted to watch this since about 1985 after i heard the soundtrack. I was about 11 or 12. As i type i have not yet seen it, but i am due to :) Thanks for the upload.

[@mikael26288]

I loved this movie and just got the DVD from Amazon.

[@wotan237]

Just saw Sorcerer a few days ago....wow. ...Steve McQueen would have turned it into an instant big hit.... Filming in the US would have messed it up, Im glad he filmed on location....a must see film

[@guitarslim56]

Actually, it wasn't filmed on location. It was not filmed in Colombia.

[@moviegeeksunited]

He just announced a month or two ago that it's all settled. They're remastering it for a blu-ray release.

[@kjparlay]

The film may have done better financially with McQueen, but I don't think it would have been better. Scheider was perfect.

[@guitarslim56]

Financially better = better

[@TotalSinging]

JJ Abrahms shot the new Star Wars film on film and is determined to shoot the next 2 films (if he directs) on film. Tarantino only shoots on film as does Chris Nolan. They HATE the look of digital. Several movie studios rallied Kodak to continue making film stock by offering to buy a certain amount each year.

[@BrettOwen71]

Hey Kevin! Nice to see you're also a fellow film lover. That's great news about Kodak! I hope that this small vanguard of filmmakers keeps the demand for real film alive enough for Kodak to keep making it!

[@erickrahn]

Don't forget Paul Thomas Anderson

[@njuham]

Friedkin is a frigging genius when it comes to cinema.

[@TheRealNormanBates]

It's funny how much he talks about preserving the 35mm negative, yet the blu-ray release has digital tinkering done to it. The bridge crossing did not originally have the blue/teal tint that the blu-ray has. Friedkin has also tinkered with *The Exorcist* and *The French Connection* blu-ray releases.

[@Prozizzle]

I just bought an HD streaming on Amazon. Looks so good.

[@c28timeline]

Roy Scheider NOT a movie star? He made that film work on his portrayal. That is a star.

[@RobertaTMS_]

I'm bitting my nails to watch this movie for such a long time.

[@ganglabesh]

did you like

[@questionitall3053]

Completely forgotten classic

[@plasticweapon]

not completely. i'll never forget it. it made william friedkin my favorite director.

[@guitarslim56]

It's not forgotten. People are talking abut it. Including you.

[@Mooseman327]

Great remake of a great film, "Wages of Fear." So rare when a great film gets remade ad the remake is as good as the original.

[@ROTEsimplemachines]

I mostly disagree with re-makes, but Friedkin's resculpting og Clouzot's /The Wages of Fear/ was all the psychedelic tour-de-force I needed to experience as I discovered the film: on a tan leather couch in the suburban house of an emigre princess: inadequacy broke the fourth wall for Friedkin as it was congruous with my moment: a "redheaded-stepchild;" I was the other in the room, impolitely speaking at too high a volume or just asking too much of my audience (for my station).

[@arspraestigium1]

It appears Warner Brothers is now the only game in town. They do have a wonderful array of titles available, and they do (as of right now) have Sorcerer available on an updated DVD/Blue Ray option.

[@BrettOwen71]

But they still refuse to release a fully restored true director's cut of "The Devils." Thankfully "Sorcerer" didn't suffer the same fate.

[@hamtrak]

SM was pretty much retired after "Towering Inferno", he wouldn't have done this anyway. He even turned down Walter Hills' "The Driver"! What would have that been with like with SM in Ryan O'neals role?

[@manddauto]

I really like Steve Mcqueen, but I think he would have been totally wrong for this particular movie.

[@evadevries2952]

Agreed...I thought the entire cast was perfect.

[@guitarslim56]

He would have made the movie better.

[@grizzlywhisker]

@@evadevries2952I agree, although Steve McQueen could maybe have garnered more ticket sales and a broader appeal… But at the same time Star Wars seemed to have crushed everything from that time.

[@cletola9675]

I loved this movie since I saw it as a team...feel in to be with them big lumbering trucks. Soo darn cool...

[@FirebirdCamaro1220]

Though having seen Killer Joe, I will say it was the best Friedkin's done since this, his prime was (71-77), Blue Chips was ok, as was The Rules of Engagement, but with Killer Joe, he definitely got it back (I heard Bug was really good too, and coincidentally, same screenwriter as Killer Joe)

[@greglapointe1311]

To Live and Die in L.A. is a great action flick by Friedkin made in the early '80's starring a young and very athletic William Peterson doing his own stunts.

[@s4mp_founder]

Bug is great and incredibly intense. Psychological thriller at best.

[@fliegeroh]

I think Roy Schieder was just fine. I happened to see it after I had seen Jaws so he was a movie star to me when I saw it. Perhaps there is something to what Friedken says about the film needing a "star".

[@degsbabe]

Agree that Roy Scheider was great in the movie. Really nailed it. As did the rest of the cast.Just can't help thinking what else Mcqueen might have brought to it.

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

@@degsbabe it would have been "A Steve McQueen Movie"

[@Filmmaker809]

So true. Not many filmmakers today have the balls to say what they feel, I can tell you.

[@PWS859]

Sorcerer did not need a movie star. It works perfectly as it is, it's pure grime. Roy Scheider was my favorite actor of the 70's. It's a bummer to hear Friedkin would have ever wanted to do it over without Scheider.

[@mariaduffner3447]

My Boyfriend loves this movie .He showed it to me and I thought it was bizzar and he had been a fan of Tangerine Dream since 1976 and I found this album in his collection .I thought it to he intereging

[@c28timeline]

christ, Roy Scheider was pissing pansy parts when most of us were pups. He was a heavy in 7-Ups, Klute, French Connection, Marathon Man. Most never recall him in small roles because he rarely played them. I saw him do an incidental part in "Paper Tiger" the other day, and I knoew the voice and determination immediately. Roy Scheider.

[@moviegeeksunited]

Yes, I'm pleased with that. I won't be Criterion, but at least it's getting out there, and hopefully it'll be done right.

[@hans.z7217]

if you like the sorcerer, you should as well see the 'original' Le salaire de la peur - a b/w directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot 1953 with Yves Montand, Charles Vanel and Peter van Eyck!

[@normanmacfarlane6724]

This film is a masterpiece 😂❤

[@krugmeister7301]

...What an Epic Film.!..Thank-God I found it on DvD...And Now forget about finding it in HMV..!

[@ghostdog2041]

So, what's the follow up? Who ended up owning sorcerer? Are they going to release a blu ray?

[@ghostdog2041]

Good deal, sir!

[@friedem0n2004]

It's amazing how he says that no one will shot on 35mm, that's so not true today

[@kramalerav]

I’ve watched every one of William Friedkin’s theatrically released films, and this is how I’d rank them from worst to best: 19. *Deal of the Century* The director has never spoken of this film. For good reason. 18. *The Night They Raided Minsky’s* A Sixties musical about the back stage interactions at a burlesque repertory? “Yes, please!”, said nobody ever. 17. *Good Times* Everyone starts somewhere. 16. *The Guardian* The late great Roger Ebert in his review humorously pointed out that this is the first horror film in history where a chainsaw is used to attack a tree. 15. *The Brink’s Job* This crime caper comedy drama is a curiously unambitious step back for the director considering the film he did before this one. 14. *Bug* A psychological horror film that should have grabbed me but didn’t. 13. *Blue Chips* I like a great sports movie, but this is not one of them. Nick Nolte is however very fun to watch in the role of a college basketball coach. 12. *The Birthday Party* A filmed play, basically. I think I liked this better than the director did. And it’s always a joy to watch Robert Shaw’s acting chops. 11. *Jade* More or less a total rehash of Basic Instinct (which Joe Eszterhas also penned), albeit an entertaining one. But the movie is far from Friedkin’s best work (contrary to what he claimed otherwise). 10. *Rules of Engagement* Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson are always a treat to watch in this very competently made courtroom drama. But long gone is the Hurricane Billy era. 9. *The Boys in the Band* Another filmed play. Not very cinematic, but this is an extremely well-acted relationship drama that ushered in the Queer Cinema subgenre. Highly recommended. 8. *The Hunted* If you liked the source novel to First Blood better than the classic Stallone film, you should check this adventure thriller out. 7. *Rampage* This hidden gem was shelved for five years before getting a theater release in 1992. Not without some flaws, it does feature one memorable jump scare-and the movie is a legal drama! 6. *Killer Joe* Though not quite a return to form as far as edge goes, this is the best film he’s done in many years. 5. *Sorcerer* Often cited as one of the last intellectual films that typified the “New Hollywood” of the 1970s. Not quite a masterpiece, but absolutely a must watch. This would be the first in a string of flops that the director never quite recovered from. 4. *To Live and Die in L.A.* The last great film by this legendary director, it feels like The French Connection hopped up on 1980s coke! And whatta car chase! 3. *Cruising* I don’t care what anyone says, this is one fearless and edgy crime thriller, and it’s all the better for it. Classic Friedkin nastiness. 2. *The French Connection* Nothing more needs to be said about this film, except to say that if you haven’t seen it, you are not a true cinephile. 1. *The Exorcist* The greatest horror film ever made. Period. Full stop.

[@fredrm6023]

After watching Steve McQueen in papillion yeah I see will meant. You needed a real star in a forgein land to give the tone of fear.

[@shinychris8629]

jon weiss and Scott weiss and Jeffrey

[@travisbuckle5762]

This is great 👍

[@c.k.dexterhaven9030]

Friedkin is dead wrong. Roy Scheider was perfect in the role. Steve McQueen was washed up at the time this picture was made.

[@Uhhmelmuhay]

C.K. Dexterhaven I guess that's why he wanted him as 1st choice. All the characters are washed up.

[@clydewallace5025]

C.K. Dexterhaven McQueen was never washed up. just Old. Will you say your washed up because you get older. A older and rugged McQueen would have put us all to shame.

[@greglapointe1311]

I think Steve McQueen would have been great in the role, I don't agree that he was ever washed up. Fine actor. But, that said, I'm a big Roy Scheider fan and I think he just nailed his part.

[@Mikraver]

The idea of casting Lino Ventura instead of Bruno Cremer sounds even more preposterous. I understand now that Cremer was cast as a Ventura stand-in basically, but man Cremer is sooooo goood in this movie! That "It's five minutes before nine in Paris" scene still gives me shivers every time I'm remembering it

[@plasticweapon]

yes.

[@guillermoedelman6853]

It was a remake of one film with Charles aznavor

[@irish66]

wages of fear is a brilliant movie. I saw the remake many years and was disappointed in it. I must give it another look.

[@nickberardo9243]

W. Freidkin, wanted Steve McQueen for the lead role. Though Roy Scheider played Dominguez very well here, if compared by the original Wages of Fear, where Yves Montand was cast, Scheider, Montand, had similar looks. Yes, I could agree with Lino Ventura, though Bruno Cremer acted Serrano very well. Friedkin had a similar problem in choice of characters, like The French Connection. Gene Hackman was the 7th actor to be cast for Popeye. Ironically, Friedkin wanted Francisco Rabal, (who was in this film) to play Charnier.

[@edkfilms]

check out SORCERER William Friedkin behind-the-scenes / Super 8 1977

[@kennethleoganda9805]

Its a remake of george clouzot's "wages of fear" equally great movie.

[@ddcgod]

you have to realize, this was before "Jaws", so h means that he wasn't a well known star. most of Roy's work before Sorcerer is only now regarded as cinema. He did say that he loved Roy in this film, but that if McQueen was in it, that the movie at the time would have done better, and unfortunately it is the truth. now if this was made, or had at least been not shone for a year until after Jaws had come out, then things would have been very different. they didn't have that VHS market yet

[@gregoravich2256]

That is incorrect, Sorcerer was made after Jaws and came out in 1977.

[@FirebirdCamaro1220]

Scheider MADE this film, which imo was the best film of 77, and wasn't even fucking nominated (facepalm)

[@lesternesterenco3957]

That's your opinion. I disagree. Wages of Fear is a different film. Sorcerer is genius. Wages is a good film but not brilliant.

[@madahad9]

I like Sorcerer when I saw it on HBO many decades ago, but one should try watching Wages of Fear the original version of the movie which is much better. The Tangerine Dream soundtrack is very cool.

[@MaidenUtah1]

You don't know who owns the rights to Sorcerer? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW!?!

[@plasticweapon]

underrated comment.

[@tonyd7601]

Friedkin's point about McQueen is clear Schider is not a star like Steve McQueen was few are plus he could have got Mastrouno, and Ventura two of the greatest stars of world cinema it's three for one trade. Btw loved both films think I prefer the later film. I like Roy Schider a lot he goes back 40 years in memory.

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

also: Bruno Cremer was great and better than Lino Ventura

[@gerryboudreault7453]

Hey, the movie poster to beat all movie posters! Could've been an ad for a Jeep or Land Rover, ha. Ironic scenes; if they fell into the river they would not drown, but blow up real good. Scheider was superb. Friedkin made another masterpiece (and screw Hollywood endings and Star Wars movie killer). tangerine Dream, yes! They did soundtrack for "Thief" around same year...

[@ROTEsimplemachines]

DNA is a numbers game. Expensive glass is expensive glass.

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

Make Deuce and a Halfs heroes again . . . .

[@sveltebarry]

This film is up there with Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia as far as grittiness goes and it works on every level. Love it. Criterion releases the fucking Blob but not this.

[@jasonhurd4379]

Clouzot's Wages of Fear is far superior.

[@jibberjabberr]

You’re. That. Guy.

[@plasticweapon]

nah. good movie though.

[@richardmurphy9006]

Steve McQueen cannot make up for a lack of Jungle!

[@MartinKoolhoven]

Kodak did not stop making 35 mm stock. That is not true.

[@cletola9675]

Teen...I ment...not team😲

[@kezadrone]

Soo true. :/

[@1234526610]

For some odd reason, I prefer interviews without the video, so you can concentrate on what they're saying and less about they're bloody hand gestures. Nice interview.

[@Bikewithlove]

The Raiders of the Lost Ark series was clearly inspired by this movie.

[@plasticweapon]

why, because of roy scheider's hat? get away.

[@Bikewithlove]

@@plasticweapon - Tell me you’re a FED without telling me you’re a FED.

[@maxheadshot3287]

Steve McQueen and Lino Ventura ? This would have been a far better cast, because the film is lacking interesting characters. Roy Scheider was great but not great enough to carry it almost alone. Also the script could have been better, there was no need for such a long introduction. The movie could have been so much better if it would have more focused on the survival in the jungle and drama between these 4 characters. Too much distraction.

[@chiefscheider]

I agree, the opening scenes could have been done in flashbacks with the introduction of each character.

[@samuraininjarockstar9355]

The film worked perfectly with the cast , Scheider was superb, Francisco Rabal was class as Nilo, Bruno Cremer as Sarrano & Amidou as Kasseem were also top drawer , bit low of Freidkin to say that , the fact that since it’s dvd & Blu-ray release cinema fan adore this movie …..

[@n00bk1ng3r665]

remake

[@gunterkrass4778]

"Van Gogh never made any money out of his films."...umm yeah. Great interview though, thx for posting!

[@samuraininjarockstar9355]

Just got his words twisted, not really a problem though …

[@vrokhlenko]

Strange or should I say an interesting take by Mr. Friedkin. The grinning truck was the star of the movie. Famous actors would be a distraction. A sissy Mastroianni as a criminal - yeah, right, would have worked. That movie along with a "Runaway Train" are reminders of the garbage we have today with CGI and woke crap.

[@DaveLucas427]

Saw this movie when it came out. Some great scenes, but overall a bit disappointing.