Le Salaire de la Peur (1953)

Trailer

Where there's smoke, there's explosives!
So basically: When a fire breaks loose at an oil well near a small town in South America, the oil company needs to hire men to drive two trucks full of nitro-glycerine to stop it. Four men seize this opportunity to get out, either by death or with the $2,000 they will receive upon completion.

The beginning of this film is slow. I wasn't really interested in the town or the people inhabiting it. However, once they started on their journey, the pace picks up and the audience is completely emotionally invested in the wellbeing of the characters. It's not so much that I sympathize with them, it's just the intensity in which it was shot. There really isn't a dull moment once they get on the road - which is littered with obstacles.

Though I don't think it should be this high - and especially not higher than Les Diaboliques, by the same director - it should be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!