Considering this film's notorious reputation, the copious amount of praising reviews, the unusually high rating (for this type of cinema) and some of the most promising keywords available on IMDb (like "Extreme Violence", "Explicit Sex" and "Grindhouse"), I can't help feeling a little bit disappointed with the final result. "Autostop Rosso Sangre" is a good film, but my personal expectations were set to see a non-stop orgy of shocks & sleaze combined with an involving story, but eventually the wholesome is simply a bit too "light". Still too controversial and nightmarish for most mainstream audiences, mind you, but genuine cult freaks and die-hard sick puppies are likely to remain behind with the feared sentiments of "Is that it?" The film is shamelessly promoted as a cash-in on "Last House on the Left" (one of the a.k.a.'s even literally repeats the title of Wes Craven's milestone) and it's fairly easy to see why, even apart from the fact it stars David Hess in a similar role. The set-up also handles about a family suddenly terrorized (physically as well as emotionally) by a fugitive psychopath; only this plays as a road movie with the creep aiming to reach Mexico by car instead of entrenching himself inside the house of innocent people. There are two major differences between this film and the majority of "Revengesploitation"-efforts, however. First and foremost the script doesn't really build up towards the typical & anticipated vengeance-climax and, secondly, the victimized family isn't the most piteous and sympathetic one, neither. The first twenty or so minutes extendedly introduce Walter & Eve Mancini during the last days of their annual camping trip at a cheerful site in sunny California. Walter is an alcoholic and unsuccessful reporter of Italian descent who practically rapes his own wife, continuously humiliates her in front of the other campers and enjoys aiming a hunting riffle at her. On their way home, Eve picks up a hitchhiker against the Walter's will and their already depressing lives rapidly turn into an even bigger hell. All the attempts to get rid of the unwanted passenger result in disturbing bloodbaths and gradually a strange and unsettling triangular relationship develops itself. For approximately 80 minutes, "Autostop Rosso Sangre" is a gripping & compelling mixture between road-movie, psychological thriller and down-to-the-ground exploitation. The story bathes in a mysterious atmosphere and the photography and soundtrack (courtesy of Ennio Morricone) are ultimately stylish, yet the violence is brutal (but sadly too minimal) and the sex and nudity are totally gratuitous. You actually often wonder whether you should feel enchanted by the beautiful imagery or disgusted with the depraved characters and their actions. Franco Nero enormously impresses as the rotten husband and this time he's even allowed to talk English with a heavy Italian accent and cult bogeyman David Hess is once more naturally menacing as the perpetrator. Corinne Clery is gorgeous and nevertheless comes across as a strong woman despite her inglorious and severely anti-feminist role.
"Autostop Rosso Sangre" makes an abrupt stop around the 80 minutes checkpoint and afterwards continues its journey on a twisty & bumpy road with several unlikely obstacles. --- Warning: Here There Be Spoilers --- The DVD box clearly states you're watching the fully uncut 104 minutes version, yet something happens that usually marks the end of a film. However, the story continues, introduces some new characters and even alters the persona's of those we already know. Particularly the end shot is thoroughly bizarre. Is Walter supposed to reprise Adam's role of fugitive pervert? Sure he acted like a bastard from minute one, but he isn't a criminal. You could claim the final twenty-five minutes are innovating and in fact those that truly distinguish this film from the majority of inferior "Last House on the Left" imitations, but at the same time they're the only ones that move by at an incredibly slow pace and feel redundant. This is unquestionably a 70's euro-exploitation highlight, but still it could be better. For total perfection with a similar storyline, check out Mario Bava's "Rabid Dogs".
"Autostop Rosso Sangre" makes an abrupt stop around the 80 minutes checkpoint and afterwards continues its journey on a twisty & bumpy road with several unlikely obstacles. --- Warning: Here There Be Spoilers --- The DVD box clearly states you're watching the fully uncut 104 minutes version, yet something happens that usually marks the end of a film. However, the story continues, introduces some new characters and even alters the persona's of those we already know. Particularly the end shot is thoroughly bizarre. Is Walter supposed to reprise Adam's role of fugitive pervert? Sure he acted like a bastard from minute one, but he isn't a criminal. You could claim the final twenty-five minutes are innovating and in fact those that truly distinguish this film from the majority of inferior "Last House on the Left" imitations, but at the same time they're the only ones that move by at an incredibly slow pace and feel redundant. This is unquestionably a 70's euro-exploitation highlight, but still it could be better. For total perfection with a similar storyline, check out Mario Bava's "Rabid Dogs".