Night Train Murders

Ugh. Rediculous Italian thriller about a couple of thugs who rape a woman on a train - who loves it and joins their debauchery. They go on to torture two other girls. Absolutely farcical.

Basically "Last House on the Left" on a train, lifted up again above average by the very solid directing by Lado and a good tension built up.

Poorly paced (downright dull for the majority of the first fourty minutes) and more conventionally plot-driven than most Euro-cult thrillers, still stylish and enjoyably sadistic Last House rip-off. Macha Meril is pretty fantastic though, just a bit of a slug to get to the good bits (and they are amazing, Sade would be proud). "She's as tight as a frightened asshole!"

not sure who this film would appeal to - an Italian psychopathic rapist with sympathies for the Red Brigade? A small market then.

It would be easy to write this off as another "Last house on the Left" copy, but Bido has made a worthy version. His direction is confident and the isolated train car offers a distressing setting. He also takes his time to introduce characters and build up tension before all sleazy hell breaks loose. That makes the later actions feel in your gut. Morricone's score is not one of his best, but the simple harmonica theme works very well. It's also a (very different kind of) Christmas film.