Quentin Tarantino Praises Forgotten '70s Thriller "Sorcerer" as a Masterpiece

Quentin Tarantino, one of the most acclaimed directors of our time, has long been a passionate advocate for the 1977 thriller "Sorcerer." Directed by the late William Friedkin, the film was a commercial flop upon its initial release but has since been recognized as a masterpiece, influencing a new generation of filmmakers.

Tarantino has openly expressed his adoration for "Sorcerer," calling it one of the greatest movies ever made. The film's gripping action and nail-biting tension have made it a favorite among directors, including Francis Ford Coppola and Christopher Nolan. Tarantino was so enamored with the movie that he even cast its star, Timothy Olyphant, in his own film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

One of the most iconic sequences in "Sorcerer" is the nerve-wracking scene where the characters carefully navigate two dynamite-laden trucks across a rickety wooden bridge. Tarantino has singled out this scene as "one of the great suspense moments in cinema," praising Friedkin's dedication to practical, dangerous stunts over the use of special effects.

According to Friedkin himself, the bridge sequence was achieved through a complex system of hydraulics and careful shot-by-shot planning, with the trucks actually crossing the bridge in real life. This level of commitment to realism is a hallmark of filmmakers like Tarantino and Nolan, who seek to minimize the use of special effects in favor of intense, visceral experiences.

Despite its initial failure, "Sorcerer" has since been recognized as a masterpiece, with its influence still felt in modern cinema. Tarantino's unwavering admiration for this forgotten thriller serves as a testament to the enduring power of great filmmaking.