Released in 1971, 'The Hired Hand' is a revisionist Western directed by Peter Fonda. The film, considered a masterpiece, came at a crucial moment in Hollywood history and was part of the New Hollywood movement. It was funded by Universal as part of their initiative to support innovative films. 'The Hired Hand' explores themes of regret, social power, and the consequences of control through the relationships between the main characters, Harry, Arch, and Harry's wife Hannah. The film departs from traditional Western conventions and employs slow, haunting, and psychedelic visuals to create a unique and stylistically exuberant experience. The cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond and the screenplay by Alan Sharp contribute to the film's artistic merit. Despite being overlooked in its time, 'The Hired Hand' is now recognized as an overlooked gem that holds up to scrutiny today. It stands as a distinctive product of its cultural and industrial context, showcasing the talent and innovation of the New Hollywood era [1c261542].
In 1977, William Friedkin remade 'The Wages of Fear' as 'Sorcerer,' a film that explores the collective and individual traumas of the Vietnam Era through the experiences of four men attempting to transport a dangerous load of active nitroglycerin in South America [29a78d24]. The film uses action tropes to create a visceral, evocative journey and symbolizes post-traumatic stress and existential despair. Friedkin introduces the four central figures as crooks and criminals, investigating how the audience would respond to fateful and fearful events. The film's suspenseful narrative prioritizes the symbolic role that PTSD plays in the structure of the action thriller. 'Sorcerer' showcases a grounded approach to action filmmaking, with a hyper-realistic sequence of a truck traversing a disintegrating rope bridge. The film's ambiguous ending reflects the fragile humanity at its core and serves as a reminder of the post-traumatic stress experienced by the protagonist. Despite its initial ostracization, 'Sorcerer' has grown in critical estimation over time and is considered an essential work of New Hollywood cinema.
Both 'The Hired Hand' and 'Sorcerer' exemplify the artistic and innovative spirit of the New Hollywood movement. They challenge traditional genre conventions and explore deeper themes of regret, power, trauma, and humanity. These films continue to be celebrated for their contributions to cinema and their enduring relevance [1c261542] [29a78d24].
