# The Wages of Fear

> 1953 film directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot

**Wikidata**: [Q465773](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q465773)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wages_of_Fear)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-wages-of-fear

## Summary

*The Wages of Fear* is a 1953 French-Italian drama and adventure film directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot. It is widely recognized for its intense narrative and cinematic excellence, winning both the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Palme d'Or at Cannes. The film is based on the 1950 novel by Georges Arnaud and explores themes of desperation, morality, and human fear.

## Key Facts

- *The Wages of Fear* was released in 1953 and directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot.
- The film is also known by its original French title, *Le Salaire de la peur*.
- It is classified under the genres of drama film and adventure film.
- The film was produced as a French-Italian co-production.
- It won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
- The film features actors such as Yves Montand, who plays the lead role of Mario, and other key cast members including Véra Clouzot and Darling Légitimus.
- The film's narrative is based on the novel by Georges Arnaud.
- It was released in multiple countries at various times: France (15 April 1953), Italy (22 April 1953), and other dates including 1953-09-11, 1953-09-28, and 1955-02-16.
- The film has been noted for its international acclaim and critical success.
- It is recognized with aliases such as *Le Salaire de la peur* and *Wages of Fear*.
- The film is associated with the following entities:
  - **Director**: Henri-Georges Clouzot
  - **Country of origin**: France, Italy
  - **Genres**: Drama film, Adventure film
  - **Notable awards**: Golden Bear, Palme d'Or
  - **Notable cast**: Véra Clouzot, Darling Légitimus
- The film has 42 sitelinks, indicating its global recognition.

## FAQs

### What is *The Wages of Fear* about?

*The Wages of Fear* is a 1953 film that follows a group of men hired to transport highly dangerous explosives across a treacherous landscape. The story explores themes of desperation, risk, and moral ambiguity. It is based on the 1950 novel by Georges Arnaud and is considered a masterpiece of 20th-century cinema.

### When was *The Wages of Fear* released?

The film was released on multiple dates including 15 April 1953 in France, 22 April 1953 in Italy, 11 September 1953 in another region, 28 September 1953 in another, and 16 February 1955 in yet another. These dates reflect its international release schedule.

### What awards did *The Wages of Fear* win?

The film won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. These awards highlight its international acclaim and critical success.

### Who directed *The Wages of Fear*?

Henri-Georges Clouzot directed the film. He is a renowned French filmmaker known for his psychological thrillers and dramatic storytelling.

### What are the film's alternative titles?

The film is also known as *Le Salaire de la peur*, its original French title.

### What genres does the film belong to?

It is classified as both a drama film and an adventure film, combining elements of psychological tension and high-stakes action.

### Who were the main actors in *The Wages of Fear*?

The film features Yves Montand in the lead role, with Véra Clouzot and Darling Légitimus in supporting roles.

### What is the significance of the film's release in film history?

The film is significant for its international success, critical acclaim, and its role in shaping the psychological thriller genre. It is also known for its influence on later filmmakers and its exploration of human desperation.

### What is the film's production background?

It was a co-production between France and Italy, highlighting international collaboration in cinema during the 1950s.

### What is the role of the original novel in the film?

The film is based on the 1950 novel by Georges Arnaud, which explores themes of desperation and moral ambiguity.

## Why It Matters

*The Wages of Fear* is a landmark in world cinema, recognized for its psychological depth and cinematic innovation. It won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, establishing it as a critical and commercial success. The film's narrative of human desperation and risk-taking has made it a reference point in film studies and a source of inspiration for filmmakers. Its international acclaim and complex themes have contributed to its status as a classic of mid-20th-century cinema.

## Notable For

- Being a French-Italian co-production, it represents a significant moment in post-war European cinema.
- Its international award-winning status, including the Golden Bear and Palme d'Or.
- Its intense narrative and psychological themes, which distinguish it from other films of its era.
- The film's basis in the novel *Le Salaire de la peur* by Georges Arnaud.
- Its cast includes internationally recognized actors like Yves Montand.
- Its multiple release dates across different countries show its global appeal.
- Its unique blend of drama and adventure genres.
- Its director, Henri-Georges Clouzot, is known for his psychological thrillers.

## Body

### History

*The Wages of Fear* was released in 1953 and is a French-Italian co-production. It was directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot and based on the novel *Le Salaire de la peur* by Georges Arnaud. The film was released in multiple countries on various dates, including 15 April 1953 in France, 22 April 1953 in Italy, 11 September 1953, 28 September 1953, and 16 February 1955. It won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, highlighting its international acclaim.

### Notable People

The film features Yves Montand in the lead role, with Véra Clouzot and Darling Légitimus in supporting roles. The film is directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, a renowned French filmmaker known for his psychological thrillers.

### Awards and Recognition

The film won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. These awards highlight its international acclaim and critical success.

### Cultural and Historical Context

The film is a French-Italian co-production, highlighting international collaboration in cinema during the 1950s. It is based on the 1950 novel by Georges Arnaud, which explores themes of desperation and moral ambiguity. The film's narrative and international success have made it a reference point in film studies and a source of inspiration for filmmakers.

### Related Projects

The film is part of a broader cinematic movement that includes other psychological thrillers and dramas of the 1950s. It is often studied in film schools for its narrative structure and cinematography.

### Genres

It is classified as both a drama film and an adventure film, combining elements of psychological tension and high-stakes action.

### Key Cast and Crew

The film features Yves Montand in the lead role, with Véra Clouzot and Darling Légitimus in supporting roles. The film is directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, a renowned French filmmaker known for his psychological thrillers.

### Release and Distribution

The film was released in multiple countries on various dates, including 15 April 1953 in France, 22 April 1953 in Italy, 11 September 1953, 28 September 1953, and 1955-02-16. These dates reflect its international release schedule.

### Legacy

The film is a landmark in world cinema, recognized for its psychological depth and cinematic innovation. Its international acclaim and complex themes have contributed to its status as a classic of mid-20th-century cinema. It is often studied in film schools for its narrative structure and cinematography.

## References

1. Lexicon of international films
2. IMDb
3. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
4. [Source](https://www.berlinale.de/en/archive/jahresarchive/1953/03_preistraeger_1953/03_preistraeger_1953.html)
5. [Source](http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/3906/year/1953.html)
6. [Source](http://awards.bafta.org/award/1955/film)
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. The Movie Database
9. The Wages of Fear. Rotten Tomatoes
10. Unifrance
11. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046268/releaseinfo)
12. [Filmdienst](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/44466/lohn-der-angst)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
15. Danish Film Database
16. [Lexicon of international films](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/44466/lohn-der-angst)
17. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046268/technical/)
18. Kinopoisk
19. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046268/parentalguide/#certificates)
20. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
21. [Source](https://www.unifrance.org/film/2026)
22. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
23. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2014&s_month=2&e_year=2014&e_month=2&pageID=2)
24. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/11794)
25. Kvikmyndir
26. Quora
27. Deutsche Synchronkartei
28. Bechdel Test Movie List
29. mymovies.it
30. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/2D20-C1BC-1CEB-CC4B-6DF7-L)
31. Letterboxd
32. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/87155)
33. Kanopy
34. Trakt.tv
35. FilmVandaag.nl