Sorcerer (1977)

This film made the Jaws troubled production problems look like a picnic acording to Roy Scheider. The fabulouse trucks on the bridge sequence was only done after being built 3 times…

Friedkins Version is the Superior Version and he claimed he would not change a single frame of it. But he did tinker with the audio a bit on the latest release.

The Studio released a “wages of fear” version for distribution Outside US Market. This version although inferior had Material that was Omitted from the US theatrical Cut. Friedkin also does not like it. However within this version includes some very intetesting bits and pieces and plot points. Some shots are action shots these particulsrly feel missing from the theatrical cut. There is more Tangetine Dream score in this version also.

In My opinion both of these cut’s should be amalgamated perhaps not including everything but most sequences, the character stories in the US version should be brought in whilst at the shanty town as flashbacks. The Structure of the film could be improved and although Friedkin has been Staunch aboit it. He sould understand it could be better.

For this one an extended cut would be good to see with a different structure.

When Roy Scheider takes out the guy with the Shovel. Shots are in the wrong order here.

Wages of fear version of getting to / walking to the blazing well near the end is much better than theatrical version.

New version bluray has crushed blacks on famous bridge scene and color tinted an already tinted sequence.

Anyway Friedkin going back in on this one is unlikely but I reckon he should think again and look at the other version that he does not like but find the things that are missing from his version. Some of it relates directly to his version in a matter of fact way.