Monday, May 5, 2025

The Adventure-a-Thon Wrap-up

 

The Adventure-a-Thon Banner - The African Queen

Well, folks, the Adventure-a-Thon is coming to an end, but oh what a blogathon it’s been! With more than 30 participants from around the globe, it’s been one of our most successful events yet. Thanks to everyone who made it happen – we couldn’t have done it without you. An extra-special thanks goes out to my wonderful co-host, Gill, for going above and beyond to spread the word about the blogathon, and for keeping everything on track. Shameless plug: Gill and I will be hosting our second blogathon of the year this December, so watch for our announcement in the next few months. We’d love to have you all back.

The Thief of Bagdad

But wait, it’s not over yet… We had a last-minute flurry of posts, which you can enjoy below, along with links to recaps from the past three days. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed bringing them to you.

The Lost Continent

Thanks to everyone who entered the Seventh Voyage of Sinbad Blu-ray contest. While I wish I could give everyone a prize, there can only be one winner, and the winner is (Drum roll, please)… Stacia from She Blogged by Night. Congratulations! Please email me at barry_cinematic@yahoo.com to claim your prize.

P.S., for anyone who was wondering about responses about their favorite Harryhausen flick, it was a toss-up between Clash of the Titans (1981) and Mysterious Island (1961).

Aguirre: the Wrath of God


In addition to today’s links, be sure to visit the Day 1, 2, and 3 Recaps: 

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

 

The Flight of the Phoenix Poster

Fasten your seatbelt, make sure your chair is locked in an upright position, and prepare for Kristina at Speakeasy’s review of The Flight of the Phoenix (1965). https://hqofk.wordpress.com/2025/05/04/flight-of-the-phoenix-1965/


The African Queen Poster 

Kayla at Whimsically Classic invites you to set sail on The African Queen (1951). https://whimsicallyclassic.com/2025/05/04/adventure-a-thon-the-african-queen-1951/

 

The Return of Chandu Poster

Rebecca from Taking Up Room takes a gander at Bela Lugosi in The Return of Chandu (1934). https://takinguproom.com/2025/05/04/the-return-of-chandu/

 

A Little Romance Poster

Sally Silverscreen from 18 Cinema Lane invites you to enjoy A Little Romance (1979). https://18cinemalane.com/2025/05/04/take-3-a-little-romance-1979-review/

 

The Brain Poster

Tigerhearts Tales from  Films & the View from Inside My Head shares her thoughts about The Brain (aka: Le Cerveau) (1969). https://tigerheartstales.wordpress.com/2025/05/05/four-men-one-woman-a-leopard-and-a-whole-lot-of-money/

 

  

Sunday, May 4, 2025

The Adventure-a-Thon is Here – Day 3 Recap and Contest Reminder

Adventure-a-Thon Banner - The Rocketeer

Whew! We’ve finally reached Day 3 of the Adventure-a-Thon, hosted by Yours Truly and Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews, and what a batch of posts we have in store for you. We’d like to extend a big thanks to everyone who’s joined us, so far. We couldn’t have done it without all of you! Be sure to return tomorrow for the Wrap-up post, including my announcement of the winner of the Seventh Voyage of Sinbad Blu-ray! Psst… There’s still time to enter the contest (see rules below). If you’d like to enter the contest, please respond no later than 8 am (Pacific Time), Monday, May 5th.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Contest Reminder: As an added “thank you” to those who have contributed posts to the Adventure-a-Thon, I will be hosting a contest in which one lucky blogathon participant will be randomly selected to win a brand-new, all-region Blu-ray copy of the Ray Harryhausen’s timeless adventure classic, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1957). Please read the following contest rules, if you would like to be considered for the giveaway: 

1.     Please email me if you wish to be considered, at: barry_cinematic@yahoo.com, with the following info:

·       Your Name, Blog Name

·       Your answer to the following question: “What’s your favorite Ray Harryhausen movie?” Note: Although an answer is required for eligibility purposes, stating a Harryhausen title different from The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad will not increase or decrease your chances of winning. Responses will be compiled and posted when the winner is announced during Monday’s wrap-up post.

2.     Eligibility is limited to blogathon participants only (you must have submitted a blog post to win).

3.     Sorry, the contest is only open to blogathon participants in the U.S.A, Canada, and Mexico.

4.     Good luck! 

 

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

In addition to today’s links, be sure to visit the Day 1 and Day 2 Recaps:

Day 1

Day 2

 

The Rocketeer Poster

Blast off with Terence Towles Canote (from A Shroud of Thoughts) and The Rocketeer (1991).

Journey to the Center of the Earth Poster

Debra Vega from Moon in Gemini takes a Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959).

 

The Assassination Bureau Poster

John Williams from Film Hydra returns to face The Assassination Bureau (1969). 


The Mystery of Thug Island Poster

Black Cats & Poppies uncovers The Mystery of Thug Island (1964).


Star Wars - A New Hope Poster

May the 4th be with you, as John Harmon from Tales from the Freakboy Zone revisits where it all started, with Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). 


Hatari Poster

Emily from The Flapper Dame takes a look at Hatari! (1962). 

 

Casino Royale Poster

Robin Hood Poster

Cat from Thoughts All Sorts brings us a double bill of James Bond and Robin Hood, with her reviews of Casino Royale (2006) and Robin Hood (2010) 

 

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Poster

The Great Race Poster

Eric from Diary of a Movie Maniac reminds us It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), and catches up with The Great Race (1965) 

 

The Blue Lagoon Poster

J-Dub from Dubsism finds another sports analogy in The Blue Lagoon (1980). 

The Princess Bride Poster

Rachel from Hamlette’s Soliloquy takes a trip down memory lane with The PrincessBride (1987). 

 

Sorcerer Poster

…And finally, I conure my review of the William Friedkin masterpiece, Sorcerer (1977). 

 

 

See you tomorrow…

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Sorcerer

 

Sorcerer Poster

(1977) Directed by William Friedkin; Written by Walon Green; Based on the novel The Wages of Fear, by Georges Arnaud; Starring: Roy Scheider, Bruno Cremer, Francisco Rabal, Amidou, Ramon Bieri, Peter Capell, Karl John and Friedrich von Ledebur; Available on Blu-ray and DVD 

Rating: *****

This post is part of the Adventure-a-Thon, hosted by Gill Jacob from Realweegiemidget Reviews and Yours Truly. Be sure to check out all the terrific posts from a talented bunch of bloggers.

Jackie Scanlon

“…the story, to me, was about the mystery of fate, the role that fate plays in the lives of all of us. And I had made a film, in The Exorcist, about the mystery of faith, and I now wanted to make a film that had no supernatural element to it, but was about the mystery of fate – the fact somebody can walk across the street, feeling in the peak of health, and get hit by a car, that we have no control over our destinies…” – William Friedkin (from 2015 interview with Nicolas Winding Refn)

“We're carrying three cases each. One is enough to blow out your fire, six cases will blow out the whole field. That means you don't think all the trucks will make it, one of us is a backup.” – Jackie Scanlon (Roy Scheider)

 

Truck at Night

Henri-Georges Clouzot’s landmark 1953 French film The Wages of Fear (based on the novel by Georges Arnaud), explored the timeless universal theme of desperate men taking desperate measures to achieve a common goal. Filmmaker William Friedkin, hot off two massive Hollywood hits, The French Connection (1972) and The Exorcist (1973), chose the source material as the basis for his follow-up film, Sorcerer.* Co-financed by Universal and Paramount, and filmed in the Dominican Republic and Mexico** from a script by Walon Green (The Wild Bunch), Friedkin and the studios figured they had another hit on their hands. Unfortunately for Friedkin and the studios, instead of knocking it out of the park with another win, Sorcerer died a quick death at the box office,*** failing to connect with audiences or critics. As is the case with so many films covered on this blog, time has vindicated William Friedkin’s intensely human jungle drama, which has only grown in esteem over the years. 

* Fun Fact #1: According to Friedkin, he thought of the controversial film title while listening to Miles Davis’ album, “Sorcerer.” In this case, the titular evil wizard was fate itself. 

** Not-So-Fun-Fact #1: Aside from the daunting logistics of a location shoot and budget concerns nature took its toll on the crew. Friedkin contracted malaria toward the end of the shoot, and fifty crew members had to leave the production after suffering from gangrene and other maladies. 

*** Not-So-Fun Fact #2: After its initial failure at the box office, Sorcerer was re-edited by its international distributor, CIC, and re-released under the title The Wages of Fear, ultimately resulting in a lawsuit by Friedkin to retrieve his original cut.

Oil Well Fire

We’re introduced to the four primary characters through the opening scenes: Nilo (Francisco Rabal), a ruthless assassin in Vera Cruz, Mexico; Victor Manzon (Bruno Cremer), a businessman accused of embezzlement in Paris, France; Kassem (Amidou), a terrorist in Jerusalem; and Jackie Scanlon (Roy Scheider),*/** a wheelman in the botched heist of a cathedral in New Jersey. Now on the run from various authorities, the four men end up, under assumed names, in the sleepy village of Porvenir, in an unspecified South American country, where people go when they want to fall off the face of the Earth (“It’s the kind of place nobody wants to go looking”). “Carlos,” (Friedrich von Ledebur) an escaped Nazi, tends bar in Porvenir, while corrupt police officers lord over the town. The impoverished locals rely on work from a nearby oil well, run by an American company. After a disastrous explosion at the site, resulting in the deaths of several townspeople, the company is eager to resume operations, but in order to do that they need to use dynamite to stop the resulting out-of-control fire. The dynamite in question, due to careless storage practices, is disintegrating, leaking highly volatile nitroglycerin. Although any excessive jostling or movement will set it off, it must be transported from 200 miles away, through uneven roads winding through dense jungle. Attempting to transport the dynamite is tantamount to a suicide mission, so the company must find men desperate enough to put their lives out on the line for the promise of a big paycheck. Stuck in the middle of nowhere with no means of leaving and nothing to lose, the four men rise to the challenge in two questionable vehicles (the film’s title refers to the name of one of the ramshackle trucks). 

* Fun Fact #2: The script was originally written with Steve McQueen in the lead role of Scanlon. While initially excited by the prospect of doing the film, McQueen ultimately passed on Sorcerer after Friedkin refused to meet his conditions, which included making his wife Ali McGraw executive producer. 

** Fun Fact #3: Friedkin’s only casting choice that made the cut was Moroccan actor Amidou (Kassem/Martinez). Marcello Mastroianni (as Victor Manzon) and Lino Ventura (as Nilo) backed out of the production.

The Four Drivers

The always watchable Roy Scheider hits the right notes as Scanlon, a character as far removed from the hero type as could be. As the wheelman on a failed heist and on the run from the mob, he’s done questionable things, but you can’t help but feel sympathy for his predicament. The same goes for his accidental cohorts, who are equally unsavory people, but bound together by a task with improbable odds. As Friedkin pointed out, the disparate characters are a metaphor for the troubled world. Despite their considerable differences, they need to cooperate or die. They are unquestionably antiheroic, yet their humanity shines through, conveying vulnerability, fear, and self-doubt (behind a façade of bravado).

Crossing the Unstable Bridge

Conflict is the driving force behind Sorcerer, with man against man, man against himself, and man against nature. Friedkin compels us to put ourselves in the shoes of these men, living in a place where life is cheap. We’re right with them, in one jaw-dropping scene after another, as they narrowly escape oblivion. Putting aside their petty disputes and working together towards a common goal is essential if they hope to survive. The much-touted scene where the party is forced to cross a rickety bridge over rushing waters is as tense and harrowing as its reputation suggests. Amidst heavy rain and the treacherous, churning river below, they have no alternative but to cross the swaying bridge, which threatens to collapse at any second.* In a tense scene, when an enormous fallen tree trunk blocks their progress, the team are forced to use their collective ingenuity, along with a case of dynamite, to clear the way. The music by German group Tangerine Dream** propels the action and enhances the tension, contributing to the film’s raw energy. 

* Not-So-Fun-Fact #3: While shooting the complicated scene in Tuxtepec, Mexico, four stuntmen were injured in what was then touted as “the most dangerous stunt attempt in film history,” when their 16-ton truck drove off the bridge. 

** Fun Fact #4: Tangerine Dream’s haunting, synth-heavy score was composed and recorded in an abandoned Bavarian church before the film was made. Friedkin stated that he cut the film to the music.

Carrying the Dynamite

Sorcerer is the consummate “sweaty palms” movie, with potential calamity looming around every corner, forcing the viewer to put themselves in the place of the characters. While Friedkin expressly stated that he didn’t want supernatural elements in his film, there is an almost unworldly aura surrounding everything, with people battling forces (social, political and elemental) that are entirely beyond their control. Perhaps this could be extended towards the film’s initial negative reception, as well. It’s a case of the right movie at the wrong time, with the wrong title. There are many possible reasons why Sorcerer underperformed upon its release, including a conspicuous lack of traditionally likeable characters, few recognizable names (with the exception of Scheider), and the misfortune of being released around the same time as Star Wars.* But the nail in the coffin was most likely the title, suggesting a fantasy film. All of this aside, the old Hollywood adage that “no one knows anything” still holds true. Even if the stars aligned with the perfect release date, a cast of bankable stars, and perfect title, nothing would have ensured Sorcerer’s success. Fortunately, due to home video and positive word-of-mouth, Sorcerer has enjoyed a major reassessment over the years. With the benefit of hindsight, Sorcerer was way before its time, belatedly establishing its rightful place in cinema history as a true classic 

* Fun Fact #5: Reflecting on Sorcerer’s failure at the time, Friedkin commented: “The zeitgeist was changing. It came out a week after Star Wars, and Star Wars really changed the way people think about, ‘What is a movie?’ Right to this day, and beyond. All these films about the Avengers and the Transformers, video games and comic books, that’s what, for the most part, Hollywood cinema has become. That just automatically opened the floodgates to people wanting pure entertainment that could be seen by people of all ages, basically. Would my film have worked if there was no Star Wars? I don’t know. But without “Star Wars,” I think American film would be different today.” 

 

Sources for this article: “William Friedkin in Conversation with Nicolas Winding Refn on Sorcerer” (2015); “Sorcerer Stunt Attempt Injures Four in Mexico,” Boxoffice, Jan. 24, 1977; “I thought I was bulletproof: William Friedkin Looks Back at the ‘70s,” New York Times, April 29, 2013; “Sorcerer Switch,” Screen International, Nov. 19, 1977; “Moxie, Not Magic, Conjured Sorcerer,” by William Friedkin, Variety, May 10, 2016

 

Adventure-a-Thon Banner - Prey

 

 

The Adventure-a-Thon is Here – Day 2 Recap

 

Adventure-a-Thon Banner - Prey

We’re back with Day 2 of the Adventure-a-Thon, hosted by Yours Truly and Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews. We have more wonderful posts in store for you today, but first, a quick reminder, in case you missed it… 

The African Queen

Contest Reminder: As an added “thank you” to those who have contributed posts to the Adventure-a-Thon, I will be hosting a contest in which one lucky blogathon participant will be randomly selected to win a brand-new, all-region Blu-ray copy of the Ray Harryhausen’s timeless adventure classic, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1957). Please read the following contest rules, if you would like to be considered for the giveaway: 

1.     Please email me if you wish to be considered, at: barry_cinematic@yahoo.com, with the following info:

·       Your Name, Blog Name

·       Your answer to the following question: “What’s your favorite Ray Harryhausen movie?” Note: Although an answer is required for eligibility purposes, stating a Harryhausen title different from The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad will not increase or decrease your chances of winning. Responses will be compiled and posted when the winner is announced during Monday’s wrap-up post.

2.     Eligibility is limited to blogathon participants only (you must have submitted a blog post to win).

3.     Sorry, the contest is only open to blogathon participants in the U.S.A, Canada, and Mexico.

4.     Good luck!

Conan the Destroyer

If you’ve signed up, but your post isn’t quite ready, fear not. We’ll post your link on Day Three or the bonus-day “Wrap-up.” Post a comment below, email me at barry_cinematic@yahoo.com, or reach me on BlueSky (@barrycinematic.bsky.social), Instagram (@barry_cinematic), or Twitter/X (@barry_cinematic). You may also contact Gill by commenting on her post, through her blog’s Contact Me page, or on Bluesky (@realweegiemidge.bsky.social).

Jaws

Here are Day 2’s submissions below, and in case you’ve missed yesterday’s post, you can catch up on Day 1 here.

Conquest Poster

Is Lucio Fulci and sword & sorcery a match made in heaven? John Williams from Film Hydra tells us what he thinks of Conquest (1983). 

Dante's Inferno Poster

Lê from Crítica Retrô takes us on a trip to the netherworld, for her review of Inferno (aka: Dante’s Inferno) (1911). 

 

Stardust

Craig from What the Craggus Saw returns to dazzle us with his review of Stardust (2007).

Edge of Tomorrow Poster

You can read Ryan Ritter’s (at Crittical Analysis) take on Edge of Tomorrow (2014) today. 

 

The Navigator Poster

Travel through time with Scampy from Spirochaetetrail, as we follow The Navigator:A Medieval Odyssey (1988). 

 

The Sword of Sherwood Forest Poster

Emma from Nitrate Glow looks at Robin Hood, Hammer style, in The Sword ofSherwood Forest (1960). 


The Lost City of Z

David Ferguson of Movies Reviews from the Dark finds The Lost City of Z (2016). 

  

See you tomorrow…

Friday, May 2, 2025

The Adventure-a-Thon Is Here – Day 1 Recap

 

Adventure-a-Thon Banner - Indiana Jones

Welcome to Day One of the Adventure-a-Thon, a three-day (plus) deep dive into all things venturesome! Along with my sensational co-host Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews, we invite you to join us for a weekend filled with action, excitement and intrigue. Once again, we’re humbled and impressed by the sheer volume of positive responses to the event, which is on track to be one of our most successful blogathons ever.

The Pirates of Blood River

As an added “thank you” to those who have contributed posts to the Adventure-a-Thon, I will be hosting a contest in which one lucky blogathon participant will be randomly selected to win a brand-new, all-region Blu-ray copy of the Ray Harryhausen’s timeless adventure classic, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1957). Please read the following contest rules, if you would like to be considered for the giveaway:

The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad Blu-ray - Front

The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad Blu-ray - Back 

1.     Please email me if you wish to be considered, at: barry_cinematic@yahoo.com, with the following info:

·       Your Name, Blog Name

·       Your answer to the following question: “What’s your favorite Ray Harryhausen movie?” Note: Although an answer is required for eligibility purposes, stating a Harryhausen title different from The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad will not increase or decrease your chances of winning. Responses will be compiled and posted when the winner is announced during Monday’s wrap-up post.

2.     Eligibility is limited to blogathon participants only (you must have submitted a blog post to win).

3.     Sorry, the contest is only open to blogathon participants in the U.S.A, Canada, and Mexico.

4.     Good luck!

The Rocketeer

If you’ve signed up, but your post isn’t quite ready, fear not. We’ll post your link on Day Two, Three, or the bonus-day “Wrap-up” (Latecomers are always welcome). Post a comment below, email me at barry_cinematic@yahoo.com, or reach me on BlueSky (@barrycinematic.bsky.social), Instagram (@barry_cinematic), or Twitter/X (@barry_cinematic). You may also contact Gill by commenting on her post, through her blog’s Contact Me page, or on Bluesky (@realweegiemidge.bsky.social).

The Abyss

Here are Day 1’s submissions below, and remember to drop by Saturday and Sunday for recaps of Days Two and Three!

Half a Chance Poster

Leading off the pack of excellent posts is Gill (from Realweegiemidget Reviews), who reviews Half a Chance (aka: Une chance sur deux) (1998), starring Alain Delon and friends.

Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves

Craig from What the Craggus Saw revisits Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991).


Bess Flowers

Steve Quick provides an overview of the adventure films of “Queen of Extras,” Bess Flowers

Captain Kidd

Shiver me timbers, and check out Ruth at Silver Screening’s review of Captain Kidd (1945).

The Hobbit

Quiggy from The Midnite Drive In joins Bilbo Baggins and company for a book/movie comparison of The Hobbit Film Trilogy (2012-2014). 

The Poseidon Adventure

There’s got to be a morning after taking a little cruise with Daffney (from The Vintage Nerd) on The Poseidon Adventure (1972). 

Tarzan's New York Adventure

Frank from Smoke in the Library watches as everyone’s favorite jungle dweller swaps his loincloth for a smart business suit in Tarzan’s New York Adventure (1942).  

 

The Count of Monte-Cristo Poster

Brian from Films from Beyond the Time Barrier proves that a hero is much more than just a sandwich in The Count of Monte-Cristo (1975). 

Enemy Mine Poster

Blast into space with Eddie at Film Authority as he examines Enemy Mine (1985). 

The Da Vinci Code Poster

Chris from Angelman’s Place unlocks the secret of The Da Vinci Code (2006). 

Indiana Jones and the Monkey King Poster

Join Paul from Pfeiffer Pfilms and Meg Movies for a bit of cinematic speculation, as he considers Meg Ryan in the unproduced Indiana Jones and the Monkey King (1991). 

 

Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan Poster

Stacia from She Blogged by Night travels to the 23rd century for a classic Kirk Khan-frontation in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (1982). 

The Mummy - 1999 Poster

 
 

John from UK Film Nerd wraps up The Mummy (1999), and tests the mettle of Jackie Chan in The Armour of God (1986) 

 

The adventure continues tomorrow…