under the sorcerer's spell

I recently caught an interesting flick on the telly.

It was Sorcerer released in 1977.

I was 16 back then.  I didn't notice anything much that year so it passed me by.

There were three reasons why I watched it now:

1. I have the LP soundtrack by Tangerine Dream but never seen the movie

2. It stars Roy Scheider of Jaws fame

3. Its directed by William Friedkin who also directed The Exorcist

To be honest I had thought that it in some way connected to the Exorcist with a title like Sorcerer and William Friedkin having directed. I wonder of this was a common fallacy?

This is why I bought the soundtrack record about 15 years ago, to be part of my horror scores collection.

Its actually a drama about four fugitives transporting volatile gelignite across perilous South American terrain to blow up a burning oil well.

The cover is pretty damn cool showing the Sorcerer, the huge truck [anyone know the make?] used to carry the explosives, crossing a particularly ropey rope bridge in South America. Its an amazing sequence in the movie and a truly iconic and beautifully photographed image.

The rear depicts those electronic gurus Tangerine Dream who scored the film.

William Friedkin got the name of his truck and the movie itself after listening to the LP Sorcerer by Miles Davis.

A contemporary of Star Wars the film didn't really have a chance in the cinemas and it flopped big style.

Nowadays its hailed as the forgotten masterpiece of the 70's.

Wikipedia has a lengthy page on the Sorcerer.

Alas, I watched the film late at night and fell asleep. I've yet to see the final third!

In the meantime I noticed this die-cast SUV languishing in our garden today. It reminded me of the Sorcerer jolting its way across precarious wastes so I took some shots. They're no Dick Bush but I enjoyed doing them!

Have you seen the Sorcerer?

Your toy remakes of the iconic rope bridge shot would be welcomed!

PS.

I've added a short video in response to my own Sorcerer Bridge challenge!

Not very good but its the rickety bridge I like. Its the Remco Camelback Skyway courtesy of You Tube and jazzed up by yours truly!