8.5
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Night Train Murders
DVD/APPROX. 94 MINS/1975/ITALY R18+
DVD/APPROX. 94 MINS/1975/ITALY R18+
Aldo Lado director of SHORTNIGHT of GLASS DOLLS (1971) and WHO SAW HER DIE (1972) after the success of Wes Craven's first film, LAST
HOUSE ON THE LEFT (1973) in which was really a take on Ingmar Bergman's VIRGIN SPRING (1960). Decided along with his producers that an
Italian Homage/ripoff would be the order of the day. Although unlike Craven's film as well as unlike most Italian rip offs of American hits. Lado's film
was shot on 35 mm film compared to Craven's 16 mm on a much higher budget with far superior production values. Lado also gets rid of the
comical elements that stained Craven's film and makes a much more intelligent film although not so graphically gruelling.
The story concerns two female students Margaret (Irene Miracle) and Lisa (Laura D'angelo) who are traveling by train to one of the girl's parent's
homes for Christmas. Unknown to the 2 young pretty students, two petty criminals Blackie (Flavio Bucci) and Curly (Gianfranco de Grassi) as well as
the upper classed, refined socialite, Macha Meril ,who Blackie meets in a Pseudo rape scene, in which she quickly shows her sadistic evil streak
manipulating her new petty criminal associates to even more nihilistic deeds subjecting the poor two students on their way home to their parents
to a night of horrifying ordeals of violence and humiliation that culminates in death. Fans of LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT would indeed guess that
our evil protagonists end up at the house of Retribution, the murdered girl's parents house.
Lado's film as noted before is a lot more intelligent than Cravens although sharing similar story lines. What elevates Lado's film above Cravens are
the underlying political and social issues. Blackie and Curly are introduced as 2 cheap hoods who's crimes aren't heightened until they meet up
with the evil Macha Meril (My personal favourite character in this film.)The central message of the film is of those who seem to have most
responsibility often are the ones with the most to hide. A theme that still sits perfectly with the America/middle east conflict today. Macha Meril
discussing politics earlier in the film proves she shares fascist ideologies and when she removes her black facial veil which apparently according to
Lado in the Extra's represents the mask of respectability in which she hides her true nature behind.
The cinematography is top notch with Lado delivering a very uncomfortable atmosphere sharpening the tension with the editing, creating an ultra
moody blue lit interior (especially aboard the train) and the direction is absolutely fabulous with Lado learning his trade well in his previous 2
pictures. Ennio Morricone provides an excellent Harmonica type score played by Curly in the film which really adds to the tension and is very
reminiscent of his Spaghetti Western work.
The only downside to the soundtrack is some tacky Demis Rousoss song played over the opening and ending credits. The cast is also top notch
and a drinking game could even be implied (skull every time you see a cast member of an Argento film). Although Lado's film is not as visually nasty
as Craven's, it is because most of the debauchery happens off screen or is implied, although there is a shit load of harrowing images to view which
will leave a nasty taste in the mouth and is highly recommended to Rape/Revenge fans and lovers of Euro horror. I don't ever see this getting an
Australian release either due to one notorious scene involving sexual violence.
The DVD version i'm reviewing is the beaut Blue Underground Version. As the film is over 30 years old now it is only presented in a Dolby digital
mono version which is quite fine, but the print was immaculate as far as i'm concerned after years of watching dodgy boots. My only problem with it
is that there was not an Italian version present with English Subs as sometimes dubbing lessens the films impact for me although this comes off
quite well. The film is presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1. Although slightly lacklustre in the extra's department compared to some Blue
Underground releases, they still provide us with an highly Informative interview with Aldo Lado, provide theatrical trailers, Radio Spots and poster
and stills galleries.
HOUSE ON THE LEFT (1973) in which was really a take on Ingmar Bergman's VIRGIN SPRING (1960). Decided along with his producers that an
Italian Homage/ripoff would be the order of the day. Although unlike Craven's film as well as unlike most Italian rip offs of American hits. Lado's film
was shot on 35 mm film compared to Craven's 16 mm on a much higher budget with far superior production values. Lado also gets rid of the
comical elements that stained Craven's film and makes a much more intelligent film although not so graphically gruelling.
The story concerns two female students Margaret (Irene Miracle) and Lisa (Laura D'angelo) who are traveling by train to one of the girl's parent's
homes for Christmas. Unknown to the 2 young pretty students, two petty criminals Blackie (Flavio Bucci) and Curly (Gianfranco de Grassi) as well as
the upper classed, refined socialite, Macha Meril ,who Blackie meets in a Pseudo rape scene, in which she quickly shows her sadistic evil streak
manipulating her new petty criminal associates to even more nihilistic deeds subjecting the poor two students on their way home to their parents
to a night of horrifying ordeals of violence and humiliation that culminates in death. Fans of LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT would indeed guess that
our evil protagonists end up at the house of Retribution, the murdered girl's parents house.
Lado's film as noted before is a lot more intelligent than Cravens although sharing similar story lines. What elevates Lado's film above Cravens are
the underlying political and social issues. Blackie and Curly are introduced as 2 cheap hoods who's crimes aren't heightened until they meet up
with the evil Macha Meril (My personal favourite character in this film.)The central message of the film is of those who seem to have most
responsibility often are the ones with the most to hide. A theme that still sits perfectly with the America/middle east conflict today. Macha Meril
discussing politics earlier in the film proves she shares fascist ideologies and when she removes her black facial veil which apparently according to
Lado in the Extra's represents the mask of respectability in which she hides her true nature behind.
The cinematography is top notch with Lado delivering a very uncomfortable atmosphere sharpening the tension with the editing, creating an ultra
moody blue lit interior (especially aboard the train) and the direction is absolutely fabulous with Lado learning his trade well in his previous 2
pictures. Ennio Morricone provides an excellent Harmonica type score played by Curly in the film which really adds to the tension and is very
reminiscent of his Spaghetti Western work.
The only downside to the soundtrack is some tacky Demis Rousoss song played over the opening and ending credits. The cast is also top notch
and a drinking game could even be implied (skull every time you see a cast member of an Argento film). Although Lado's film is not as visually nasty
as Craven's, it is because most of the debauchery happens off screen or is implied, although there is a shit load of harrowing images to view which
will leave a nasty taste in the mouth and is highly recommended to Rape/Revenge fans and lovers of Euro horror. I don't ever see this getting an
Australian release either due to one notorious scene involving sexual violence.
The DVD version i'm reviewing is the beaut Blue Underground Version. As the film is over 30 years old now it is only presented in a Dolby digital
mono version which is quite fine, but the print was immaculate as far as i'm concerned after years of watching dodgy boots. My only problem with it
is that there was not an Italian version present with English Subs as sometimes dubbing lessens the films impact for me although this comes off
quite well. The film is presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1. Although slightly lacklustre in the extra's department compared to some Blue
Underground releases, they still provide us with an highly Informative interview with Aldo Lado, provide theatrical trailers, Radio Spots and poster
and stills galleries.
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