Friday, April 16, 2010

Friday Forgotten Movie: Sorcerer

Whether some films are doomed to failure because of bad timing on their release, or in combination with a lack of understanding by those (few) that initially see it, it is a continual shame when a great film is left on the trash heap of history. Such was the case for the forgotten gem from 1977, director William Friedkin's Sorcerer. It remains a movie lost to time and notoriety (due of its difficult shoot in a jungle location in the Dominican Republic, and a host of travails in getting it completed), and being the production where its director earned his less-than-affectionate nickname, "Hurricane Billy." Big name stars (or soon to be big names) either wanted the lead role or turned it down. Although I was one of those few who actually saw this film in a darkened theater on its short-lived first run, the film has never really left me. It made that much of an impression. Still, I can't take credit for identifying it for this week's forgotten post.

The rest of this post has been updated and moved over to my current blog, found here.

6 comments:

  1. Cool, both films are now in Q. I'll watch the original 1st.

    Thanks

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  2. Thanks, Herb. I hope you enjoy both (if you get a chance, let me know what you think of them). Have a great weekend.

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  3. I second giving this film the much-deserved Criterion treatment. Wouldn't that be great? I haven't seen this film in ages but I do remember reading about the critical and commercial shellacking it took back in the day. Alto, it's good to see that SORCERER is starting to enjoy a reappraisal now that some time has passed. I know Friedkin is in to revisiting his films on DVD so here's hoping that he'll make something happen.

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  4. Oh, yes. It would right a lot of wrongs if the Criterion folk got hold of this film and gave it one of their treatments. And having a Friedkin contribution and commentary track would be icing on the cake. As someone I know who has seen and appreciated this film, I know you'd join me in reserving a copy (hear that Criterion? ... there is a market for this film). Thanks, J.D.

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  5. I don't believe I've ever heard of this film. I'll be on the lookout for it. I love the artwork on the poster. It reminds me of Darwyn Cooke's illustrations in The Hunter.

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  6. That is a great poster, isn't it? I hope you get to see it, Naomi. Let me know how you like it? Thank you.

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