Review of Sorcerer

In this neo-noir transnational epic, four First World criminals seek - from Boston, Oarus, etc ) refuge from law enforcement in Latin America (mostly remote Venezuela., where they are reduced to a taking a bottom-of-the-ladder, life-is-cheap job delivering high explosives over treacherous mountain and jungle roads. The atmosphere is mesmerizing, the tension nerve racking, Friedkin considered it his finest film, and was personally devastated by its financial and critical failure (as stated by Friedkin himself in the 1999 documentary series The Directors). As adrenalin thriller, "Sorcerer" may not be quite the "Jaws" level kick that "The French Connection" is, but it's a richer, more variously and original exciting -- and more meaningful -- film.