Henri-Georges Clouzot co-writes and directs this French thriller set in the South American jungle where supplies of nitroglycerine are urgently needed at a remote oil field. After a Mexican oil well catches fire, the unscrupulous American oil company pays four out-of-work men (Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Folco Lulli and Peter Van Eyck) to deliver the delicate and deadly supplies in two hulking trucks. A tense rivalry quickly develops between the two sets of drivers, a tension magnified by the unforgiving heat, the lure of filthy lucre and the rough and rocky roads where the slightest jolt could result in agonising death.

Yves Montand and Romy Schneider star in this stylish French 'love triangle' drama directed by Claude Sautet. Now in love with successful scrap-metal dealer César (Montand), Rosalie (Schneider) is torn when her former love, David (Sami Frey), suddenly reappears on the scene after a five year absence. When David signals his intention to win her back, César's jealous outbursts end up pushing Rosalie back into her former lover's arms. Not willing to give up on his happiness, however, César soon embarks on a carefully planned charm offensive. But with the two men now vying for her affections, and unable to make up her mind one way or the other, Rosalie realises she may have to bring the situation to a head herself.