The country is unnamed because he isn't in a country, he's in Purgatory. He's already dead but he doesn't know it or refuses to accept the fact of his death. He was killed in the car accident. He staggered away from the pillar of water, which symbolizes his death, and is subsequently consigned to Purgatory where he must atone for his sins. The pillar of water would have cleansed him and allowed him to pass on but he could not accept death--he clung to existence, painfully so. He does indeed atone for his sins, with great courage, and for this he earns his release from Purgatory. But first he must pass through the fire. Toward the end he is shown staggering toward the pillar of fire even as he once staggered away from the pillar of water. He has come nearly full circle in his journey through death and atonement. He must pass through the fire for the final cleansing of his soul: his sins will not be washed away, they will be burned away. He does this, figuratively, and at the end he reveals, through his compassion for the Indian woman, that he has recovered his humanity. When the mafia killers enter the tavern to execute him they are actually performing a service that will cause his soul to be released from the pain of life. He has earned that release.
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Deluge69-663-991830
7 years ago
homeric-1
A late response to your post.
I always suspected SORCERER was supernatural, but in a very subtle manner, where it later begins to dawn on you. They're either in Hell, literally, or, most likely, Purgatory. Their sacrifices did help to restore employment for the starving villagers. Their possible redemption.
The visual metaphors and indelible images.
The Tangerine Soundtrack was suited for a horror movie. And those sounds of wailing demons as they're making their way across the bridge. Reminds me of Robin Trower's 'Bridge of Sighs'.
I made a thread on this board, 'Is it Possible . . ? where I further elaborate.
You summed it up real well. There is a deeper and disturbing subtext at play.
Wonder how many others agree.
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Xcalat3 (3701)
7 years ago
very well thought, i never saw this as a possible supernatural story until now :)
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puplover (89)
7 years ago
I just finished watching this. Holy crap! What a provocative analysis. I now need to rethink the whole thing. Thank you for that, very insightful.
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Druff (1450)
2 years ago
So often when someone attempts to illuminate a movie's symbolism it sounds like a pretentious nitwit talking out of their ass. Not this time. That's the sort of stuff that works even if the screenplay's author didn't intend it. Bravo.
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