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The Wages of Fear (1953)
The Wages of Fear (1953) poster
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4.4

The Wages of Fear (1953)

Le Salaire de la peur

Drama, Thriller, Adventure • 1h 45m

Overview

In a run-down South American town, four men are paid to drive trucks loaded with nitroglycerin into the jungle through to the oil field. Friendships are tested and rivalries develop as they embark upon the perilous journey.

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > BFI 4K Blu-ray. caps Criterion presents the master as originally graded in SDR whereas FiM added HDR / Dolby Vision for the BFI.

Best Audio Release

1991 Criterion LaserDisc. Criterion 4K Blu-ray's audio mix has more detail than BFI’s and same applies to the subtitles, covering both English and France spoken word

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Excellent
Criterion:

BFI a close second

Superior Imports
Criterion US > BFI UK:

better audio + subs on the US 4K

TSPDT

2026: #340
2025: #341
2024: #341
2023: #335
2022: #335

Criterion Forum

Review

Picture: 9, Audio: 7, Extras: 8

Length

105 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

2 years ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > BFI 4K Blu-ray. caps Criterion presents the master as originally graded in SDR whereas FiM added HDR / Dolby Vision for the BFI.

Best Audio Release

1991 Criterion LaserDisc. Criterion 4K Blu-ray's audio mix has more detail than BFI’s and same applies to the subtitles, covering both English and France spoken word

Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Excellent
Criterion:

BFI a close second

Superior Imports
Criterion US > BFI UK:

better audio + subs on the US 4K

Featured Lists
TSPDT
2026: #340
2025: #341
2024: #341
2023: #335
2022: #335
Criterion Forum
Review

Picture: 9, Audio: 7, Extras: 8

Length
105 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
2 years ago
Contributors

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Best Audio:

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The 4K Blu-ray mono is only minimally worse (see blah-ray).

5.1 remix: Sony 4K Blu-ray

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5.1 remix: Sony 4K Blu-ray

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Uncensored version: old DVD

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Best Audio:

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All Blu-ray releases are from the same mastering, superior to the one on older DVD releases which is sourced from a higher generation source. They all sound about the same, with the exception of Criterion, which sounds worse due to extraneous filtering.

Paramount's disc also includes a contemporary English dub, previously unreleased on home video.

Best English-Friendly:

2022 Paramount Blu-ray

Best Video:

2022 Paramount Blu-ray

2014 Criterion Blu-ray is from the same master and has only slightly worse compression. JP/DE/FR releases all have incorrect levels. Caps

Best Audio:

2022 Paramount Blu-ray

All Blu-ray releases are from the same mastering, superior to the one on older DVD releases which is sourced from a higher generation source. They all sound about the same, with the exception of Criterion, which sounds worse due to extraneous filtering.

Paramount's disc also includes a contemporary English dub, previously unreleased on home video.

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Best Video:

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Best Audio:

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Best Video:

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Best Audio:

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Best English-Friendly:

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Best Video:

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Additional Info:

There are no comparisons, and all releases are likely the same transfer from 2K restoration. However, given that other releases in the Martin Scorsese Presents: Masterpieces of Polish Cinema, Volume 1 Blu-ray are superior to other Polish releases, likely the same conclusion applies here.

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

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Best Video:

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Additional Info:

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Additional Info:

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Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

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Best Audio:

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Best English-Friendly:

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Upcoming Release:

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Best Video:

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Best Audio:

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Imprint Australia 4K Blu-ray has better audio than Criterion 4K Blu-ray, from nicolas:

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The Wages of Fear (1953) backdrop