If you are looking for a Saturday night horror/thriller then I may just have one for you. Beware it’s also an incredibly disturbing film. The movie in question is a 70s Italian horror film from director Aldo Lado that’s become something of a cult film. Let’s take a look, here’s my Night Train Murders Blu-ray review.
- Night Train Murders (1975)
- Genre: Horror/Thriller
- Written by Roberto Infascelli, Renato Izzo, Aldo Lado, Ettore Sanzò
- UK Rating 18
- Discs: 1
- Released By 88 Films
- Starring Flavio Bucci, Macha Meril, Marina Berti, Irene Miracle, Gianfranco De Grassi, Laura D’Angelo
Plot
It’s the build up to Christmas and two young women Margaret and Lisa are on their way from Germany to Italy to stay at the family home over the festive period.
When their train is delayed due to a bomb threat they decide to switch trains which means they don’t need to switch later on. That decision however may just be the worst thing they ever do because in doing so they find themselves aboard the train in an isolated carriage. Worse still is two men and a woman who were also on the first train and were acting very strangely decide to join them in the compartment.
Unfortunately the three people whom join them in the carriage are sick and twisted leading to some pretty shocking events occurring.
In a strange coincidence those three passengers are going to meet the last person there want to bump into.
Night Train Murders is based on the plots of Ingmar Bergman’s The Virgin Spring (1960) and Wes Craven’s The Last House on the Left (1972).
Style / Direction
The film was directed by Aldo Lado with the cinematography being handled by Gabor Pogany.
Mostly set onboard a train with occasional switches to the family home, both settings are done in that creepy uncomfortable voyeurism way. The camera acts as if someone is peaking in, this really does make viewing extremely uncomfortable but is the perfect way for horror movies.
When the truly shocking scenes occur the lighting in the carriage turns to blue which only seems to make if feel worse.
Music / Audio Effects
Ennio Morricone provides the score and is pretty good but certainly not one of his very best. The title song seems very fitting and definitely suits the film.
Acting / Characters
Good performances all-round
Flavio Bucci plays Blackie one of three sick and twisted passengers. At the beginning he appears to be a bit of a petty criminal but as the film proceeds his nasty side is revealed.
His side-kick is even more off the wall and unbalanced and unpredictable on drugs, whereas the Lady on the train seems in control and therefore simply gets her thrills watching others being abused.
Conclusion: Night Train Murders (1975) Film Review
Night Train Murders is an extremely disturbing story with quite graphic sexual assault scenes. This is certainly not a film for everyone, in fact the film gained notoriety in the UK during the 1980s as VHS became readily available resulting in it being banned as a video nasty.
Despite this fact viewing it today it is still remains shocking viewing. Who is the worst of the offenders? The two drugged up vicious guys or is it the evil women getting her kicks aiding and abetting in sexual assault?
Make no mistake this film shows two young women raped and dehumanised by three twisted fellow passengers. In the end some sort justice is meted out with the film appearing to let one off the hook.
The Night Train murders is a interesting film, being a European film it has a totally different feel to the usual American films we tend to see. Whilst I won’t use the word enjoy I do think it’s a decent film with a completely different vibe that I do think is worth watching.
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Conclusion: Night Train Murders Blu-ray Review
The Blu-ray version has excellent picture quality no signs of any annoying flickers, just a nice clean image the way it should be.
Extras
- Strangers On A (Late Night) Train
- Further Adventures In Italy
- Trailer (English)
- Trailer (Italian)
A good set of extras, Strangers On A (Late Night) Train is in essence an interview with actress Irene Miracle who played one of two unfortunate young women on the Train.
Popcorn Cinema Rating:
Night Train Murders (1975)
MOVIE RATING: WORTH WATCHING
BLU-RAY RATING: EXCELLENT
EXTRAS: GOOD
Night Train Murders (1975) Blu-ray is available now from Amazon, priced £15.89 (as of date of review)
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Night Train Murders (1975) Film Trailer
For those of you yet to see the film I’ll leave you with a little taster with trailer…
Clip not be representative of the Blu-ray version
Summary: Night Train Murders (1975) Blu-ray Review
Movie title: Night Train Murders (1975)
Duration: 94 mins
Director(s): Aldo Lado
Actor(s): Flavio Bucci, Macha Meril, Marina Berti, Irene Miracle
Genre: Horror, Thriller
- Movie Rating
- Blu-ray Picture Rating
- Extras
Summary
An incredibly disturbing film that leaves you with feeling of revulsion.
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