Synopsis
The Italian movie Night of Terror (1975) follows two young women, Anna and Sofia, as they take an ominous overnight train ride. Seeking to visit Sofia’s family for the holidays, the friends find danger and depravity awaiting them on board.
Boarding the crowded train in Germany, Anna and Sofia are forced to stand in the hallway. Meanwhile, two violent criminals, Marco and Stefano, also get on, fleeing from the law. The women warily help them hide from the ticket taker. Marco soon creeps on a wealthy blonde passenger, while Stefano brawls with another man. Disturbed, the friends move down the train, but the predators follow.
After the train is searched for a bomb threat in Austria, Anna and Sofia transfer to another train headed directly to Italy. They settle into a small compartment, relieved to finally rest. But to their horror, Marco, Stefano, and the blonde woman join them. What follows is a night of escalating violence as the brutes assault and torture the captive women, egged on by the deranged blonde.
Cast
- Flavio Bucci as Curly
- Gianfranco De Grassi as Gigi
- Macha Meril as Margaret
- Marina Berti as Lisa
- Irene Miracle as The Lady on the Train
Trivia
The movie was inspired by the real-life 1974 murder of two women on a train in Italy. It sparked controversy for its violence and was banned in some countries. Director Aldo Lado made the film in response to the success of Last House on the Left.
Reviews
That Was A Bit Mental said “Despite the notoriety it’s ‘enjoyed’ over the years as one of the 72 video nasties, its subject matter is handled with a surprising degree of tact.”[1]
Bands About Movies stated “While some decry the bumbling cop comedy in Craven’s film, this one jettisons any attempt at levity, adds some 1975 Italian style, gets a soundtrack from Morricone and gets way, way dark.”[2]
Giallotheater wrote “Although the story is a bit annoying, especially with the sloppy way the villains come into the hands of The Father, and how he in turn learns of the crimes and supposes their guilt, there are some rewarding style points.”[3]
Cody Meirick on November 6, 2023