Le Salaire du diable

Original title: Man in the Shadow

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Orson Welles, Jeff Chandler, and Colleen Miller in Le Salaire du diable (1957)

Contemporary Western Action Crime Drama Western

Virgil Renchler owns most of the town, providing a thriving economy. When his men go too far and kill one of his migrant workmen, the sheriff goes after him, even if it means his job and eve... Read allVirgil Renchler owns most of the town, providing a thriving economy. When his men go too far and kill one of his migrant workmen, the sheriff goes after him, even if it means his job and everyone else's.Virgil Renchler owns most of the town, providing a thriving economy. When his men go too far and kill one of his migrant workmen, the sheriff goes after him, even if it means his job and everyone else's.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

1.3K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos34

+ 29

‘Snow White’ Stars Test Their Wits

Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, and director Marc Webb take our Ultimate Disney Quiz.

Watch now

9:57

Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
The role of Virgil Renchler was originally supposed to be played by Robert Middleton. The William Morris Agency instead suggested Orson Welles, who badly needed money to pay income taxes he owned to the Internal Revenue Service.

Goofs
Many characters comment about the heat, saying the temperature must be well over 100 degrees, yet even though they are all wearing long sleeves, ties, even suits, no one is ever sweating. The only ones with even a bit moisture on them are the old man and one of the henchmen.

Quotes
Ben Sadler: There isn't a yard of guts in this whole town. This isn't a town, it's a trained dog act! I'm tired of gettin' pushed around! One way or another I'm gonna get myself a couple of murderers tonight.

Connections
Referenced in The Veil: Summer Heat (1958)

User reviews29

Featured review

6/10

" Just how much is a man's life worth in dollars and sense? "

The law in the nineteen fifties was straight forward enough, if you happen to be white. Minorities on the other hand were lucky if ever there were men behind the badge with the willingness to stand up to wealthy, powerful men. This 1950's film was directed by Jack Arnold and written by Gene L.Coon. It depicts the story of Ben Sadler (Jeff Chandler) the town's sheriff, who is informed of the death of Jesus Cisneros (Martin Garralaga), an immigrant worker or 'Bracero' who is murdered by two ranch hands. From the moment the sheriff begins his investigation into the murder, he is besieged by local town's people of the danger of taking on Mr. Virgil Renchler (Orsen Wells) the most powerful man in the state. Still, Sadler is determined to bring the two men to justice. John Larch, Royal Dano, Paul Fix, Leo Gordon and William Schallert are among the most notable actors who give life to this otherwise Black and white picture. The acting is good and so too is the dark drama, which allows the movie to be interesting. Chandler gives a powerful performance and shows why he became a popular staple of the era. ****