Italy, 1977
82m (Canada), 98m (UK), 104m, 2,888 metres
35mm film, Eastmancolor
mono, Italian
An Italian horror film directed by Pasquale Festa Campanile.
Plot Summary
Walter and Eve Mancini are on a touring holiday in the States. The relationship is fraught with difficulties and seems to be based purely on mutual loathing and violent sex. As the radio warns of a violent, armed bank-robber on the loose, the couple pick up Adam Coney, whose car has apparently broken down. When Adam makes a crude and unsavoury pass at Eve, a fight ensues, during which Adam pulls a gun, initiating a series of violent events that will inevitably lead to violence and murder.
Credits
* = uncredited
Crew
Directed by: Pasquale Festa Campanile
© 1978 Explorer Film International S.r.l. '58/Medusa Distribuzione S.r.l.
An Explorer Film International S.r.l., Medusa Distribuzione S.r.l. production
Producers: Bruno Turchetto *, Mario Montanari *
Screenplay by: Ottavio Jemma, Aldo Crudo, Pasquale Festa Campanile
Screen Treatment by: Aldo Crudo
Based on the Novel “The Violence and the Fury” by: Peter Kane
Directors of Photography: Franco di Giacomo and Giuseppe Ruzzolini
Film Editor: Antonio Siciliano
Music by: Ennio Morricone
Sound Recordist: Pietro Ortolani
Costume Designer: Giantito Burchiellaro *
Make-up: Raul Ranieri
Hairstylist: Giuseppina Bovino
Production Designer: Giantito Burchiellaro
Filmed on location and at Vides Studio – Rome
Cast
Franco Nero [Walter Mancini]
Corinne Clery [Eve Mancini]
David Hess [Adam Konitz]
John Loffredo [Hawk]
Carlo Puri [other accomplice]
Pedro Sanchez [real name: Ignazio Spalla] [bar owner]
Leon Lenor
Monica Zanchi [girl at camp site]
Benito Pacifico
Angelo Ragusa
Luigi Birri
Robert Sommer
Ann Ferguson
Fausto di Bella
Alternative Titles
Autostop Alucinante
Death Drive – UK title
El cínico y la casada – Spanish title
Hitch Hike – UK video title
Hitchhike: Last House on the Left – US video title
La Proi de l'autostop – French video title
Never Give a Lift to a Stranger
Wenn Du krepierst, lebe ich! – German title
Production Notes
Release
For their UK video release of the film, Renown Video (whose print has widescreen borders that move up and down virtually every time a scene changes) included the following almost incomprehensible sleeve note:
“Touring the US a young European couple are caught in a nightmare web of robbery, murder, sexual abuse and mental torment – they picked-up a hitch hiker! Screaming across this landscape of hell, they blast though human flesh and barriers of steel. But are the roles changing? Have the victims become the aggressors as they all thunder towards a fire-ball climax!”
References
Periodicals
- Delirium no.2 – credits, review
- L'Ecran Fantastique no.31 p.68 – review
- Is It Uncut? no.6 pp.24?25 – illustrated review
- Video Watchdog no.12 p.6 – review
Books
- Horror and Science Fiction Films II by Donald C. Willis p.446 – credits
