The Wages of Fear (1953)

Mario, Jo, Bimba, and Luigi find themselves trapped in the desolate town of Las Piedras, which is surrounded by harsh desert. With the only airstrip being too costly to use, they struggle to find ways to escape this isolation.

The men become reliant on the Southern Oil Company (SOC), which dominates the town and exploits the workforce. Under the tyrannical control of SOC, the locals have little regard for their well-being and live under constant oppression.

Mario, a sarcastic playboy, takes his partner Linda for granted while Jo grapples with his aging and current reality as a former gangster. Meanwhile, Bimba is consumed by anger over his father's murder and reflects on his grim past spent in a salt mine.

In a shocking turn, Luigi receives devastating news about his health, revealing he is terminally ill from cement dust exposure. This news adds to the tension as the men face their precarious situation in the town.

A significant disaster occurs when a fire breaks out at an SOC oil field. The crisis demands the urgent transportation of nitroglycerin from the SOC headquarters to extinguish the flames, creating a dangerous opportunity for the locals.

The SOC entices the local residents with a payment of $2,000 each to transport the nitroglycerin, a sum that could change their lives. As the most desperate residents, Mario, Bimba, Luigi, and Smerloff become candidates for this perilous task.

When Smerloff fails to show up, Jo takes his place thanks to a prior connection with foreman Bill O'Brien. Despite Jo’s intentions, the other drivers begin to suspect that intimidation may have been involved in his substitution.

Mario and Jo take one truck, while Bimba and Luigi take the other, embarking on a 500 km journey filled with dangers. Each team faces a barrage of challenges, including navigating poorly maintained roads and overcoming physical obstacles.

During the journey, Jo's increasing fear creates tension between him and Mario. Confrontations arise as they address Jo’s growing cowardice, illustrating the psychological toll of their perilous mission.

A devastating explosion occurs when Luigi and Bimba's truck is obliterated, claiming their lives instantly. This tragedy leaves Mario and Jo in shock as they race to the scene, only to find the aftermath filled with chaos and despair.

In the frenzy to escape a pooling oil disaster, Mario accidentally runs over Jo, causing him fatal injuries. Despite their previous bond, the chaos of the moment leads to an irreparable tragedy for both.

Despite their harrowing journey, Mario and Jo are celebrated as heroes upon reaching the oil field. However, the hollow victory weighs heavily on Mario as he deals with the death of his friend, Jo.

After a period of recovery, Mario drives home in the truck used for their mission, collecting double wages while refusing any offered help. His exhilaration quickly turns reckless as he navigates the mountain road back to Las Piedras.

As Mario arrives at the cantina, he finds Linda celebrating inside. In an unexpected moment of distress, she collapses, foreshadowing the impending tragedy that awaits Mario.

In a final act of defiance against fate, Mario takes a corner too quickly after leaving the cantina. His vehicle plunges off a guardrail, resulting in a tragic end to his tumultuous journey and life.