The Wages of Fear - Criterion Collection

Criterion presents 'The Wages of Fear' in its original full-frame ratio, and the image quality is quite good. Though it's immediately apparent this is a 50-year-old film, the grain structure never overwhelms the picture; instead, it adds a gritty realism that enhances the story and subtly ratchets up tension. High contrast really pumps up the white levels, accentuating the barren, dusty settings and making us feel the blistering heat, but it seems just a tad over-pushed. On the whole, however, the gray scale possesses good variance, with blacks flaunting fine gradation from smooth and inky to more delicate shades of gray.

Clouzot shies away from too many close-ups, but the ones we do get provide all the sharp details we expect in 1080p. The clarity, of course, makes rear projection work more noticeable, but hardly hinders enjoyment or disrupts the edgy mood. Almost all nicks, scratches, and debris have been removed, which keeps our attention nailed on the narrative. This isn't a silky, lush transfer on a par with 'Casablanca,' but it accurately mirrors the film's harsh look and feel, and emphasizes the vibrant and dimensional qualities of black-and-white film stock in high definition. Those who own the previous Criterion edition of 'The Wages of Fear' may not be blown away by the improvements, but certainly won't regret trading up.

Criterion always puts together a slick, attractive disc presentation, but strangely downplays the Blu-ray angle on the packaging. Aside from a small blue sticker on the case's outer cellophane, the only mention of Blu-ray is on the back cover. The company also foregoes the standard tinted Blu-ray case in favor of a thicker clear plastic case with identical dimensions. (None of this is a big deal; it's just an interesting buck-the-trend choice on Criterion's part that bears noting.) Inside is the standard Criterion booklet printed on glossy paper and containing beautifully reproduced photos, a cast and crew listing, production notes, and an insightful essay by novelist Dennis Lahane, author of 'Gone Baby Gone' and 'Mystic River,' and a big fan of 'The Wages of Fear.'

The disc supplements are of high quality as well, although an audio commentary would have been a terrific addition. The film flaunts so much cinematic style and narrative subtext, a scene-specific discussion would most likely have been as compelling as the movie itself. Still, what Criterion does include will satisfy those eager to learn about the production and its colorful director.

• Interview with Michel Romanoff (HD, 22 minutes) – Assistant director Michel Romanoff shares anecdotes about Clouzot and Montand, as well as his vivid memories of the production in this intriguing 2005 interview. A mere 27 years old and almost completely inexperienced when shooting began, Romanoff recalls how Clouzot taught him the ropes under conditions almost as stressful as those endured by the film's characters. Rare black-and-white photos illustrate his comments.
  
• Interview with Marc Godin (HD, 10 minutes) – Clouzot's biographer calls the director one of France's great auteurs, and discusses how he was influenced by German Expressionism and tried for collaboration after working in occupied France during World War II. He also notes that Clouzot was deeply pessimistic, very neurotic, angry, frustrated, depressive, and possessed absolutely no sense of humor whatsoever – a major reason why his films, according to Godin, are so serious, even ponderous. This is quite a lively chat (also filmed in 2005), but be prepared – Godin's spirited delivery makes the subtitles fly by.
  
• Interview with Yves Montand (SD, 5 minutes) – The debonair, utterly charming actor disputes the myth that he's a "terror" on the set in this too-short 1988 interview. Montand credits Clouzot with fostering his interest in moviemaking, and relates how he likes to be integrally involved in the creative process.
  
• Documentary: "Henri-Georges Clouzot: The Enlightened Tyrant" (HD, 53 minutes) – A reverential yet not always flattering portrait of Clouzot, this absorbing 2004 profile from French television details all the important events, films, and relationships of the director's life. We learn about the serious bout of tuberculosis that confined the young Clouzot to a sanatorium for four years; his work during the German occupation of France during World War II; how he was "thrown off balance" by the French New Wave movement; and the drastic measures he employed to get the performances he desired out of his actors. Often called "overbearing," "tyrannical," "harsh," and "nasty," Clouzot exasperated many of his collaborators, but also engendered universal respect. In arguably the documentary's most riveting sequence, actress Brigitte Bardot chillingly recalls her "power struggle" with the director and how he tried his best to browbeat a performance out of her. Like many geniuses, Clouzot was a controversial figure, and this warts-and-all examination looks at the man from many angles.
  
• Featurette: "Censored" (HD, 12 minutes) – This fascinating featurette examines the "politically motivated" wave of cuts that befell 'The Wages of Fear' before its 1955 U.S. release. About 50 minutes of footage was excised, most for reasons of supposed anti-Americanism. The censors also felt the camaraderie among the men was too suggestive and the film's outlook too cynical. The featurette both explains the various deletions and shows examples of them.