Le Salaire de la peur
"‘Dynamic’ ‘Tremendous’ ‘Shattering’"
The Wages of Fear - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
C'est comme la prison ici. Facile d'entrer... Mais on n'en sort pas.
— Mario
Context:
Mario says this early in the film while talking to Jo, explaining the bleak, inescapable nature of the town where they are all stranded.
Meaning:
Translated as, "It's like prison here. Easy to get in... But there's no way out." This quote perfectly encapsulates the existential trap of Las Piedras and the feeling of hopelessness that pervades the film's first act. It establishes the immense desperation that will drive the characters to accept the suicidal mission.
Tu vas voir, c'est contagieux, la peur. Ça se prend comme la petite vérole. Et quand on l'a, c'est pour la vie.
— Jo (paraphrased from novel)
Context:
This sentiment is expressed as the men confront the reality of their mission, highlighting the psychological stakes of their journey, a fear that proves more debilitating than the physical dangers themselves.
Meaning:
Translated as, "You'll see, fear is contagious. It's catching like smallpox. And once you get it, it's for life." This line articulates one of the film's central themes: the infectious and permanent nature of profound fear. It foreshadows Jo's own complete unraveling and the psychological destruction the journey will wreak on the men.
Partout où il y a du pétrole, il y a les Américains.
— Unnamed Villager
Context:
This line is spoken by one of the disenfranchised men in Las Piedras, commenting on the power and pervasive influence of the Southern Oil Company (SOC).
Meaning:
Translated as, "Wherever there's oil, there are Americans." This quote is a direct and succinct expression of the film's anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist critique, pointing to the exploitative presence of American corporate interests in developing nations.