Spasmo (1974)

Christian (Robert Hoffman) and his girlfriend are taking a walk on a deserted beach when they discover a woman's body lying. A closer look proves that she's alive. The next day Christian ... See full summary »

Director:

Umberto Lenzi

Writers:

Pino Boller (story), Massimo Franciosa (screenplay),

Stars:

Robert Hoffmann, Suzy Kendall, Ivan Rassimov

Cast

Cast overview:
Robert Hoffmann	...	Christian Bauman
Suzy Kendall	...	Barbara
Ivan Rassimov	...	Fritz Bauman
Adolfo Lastretti	...	Tatum, the killer
Monica Monet	...	Clorinda
Guido Alberti	...	Malcolm
Mario Erpichini	...	Alex
Franco Silva	...	Luca
Maria Pia Conte	...	Xenia
Luigi Antonio Guerra	...	Boy - in the 'incipit'
Rosita Torosh	...	Woman in car

Storyline

Christian (Robert Hoffman) and his girlfriend are taking a walk on a deserted beach when they discover a woman's body lying. A closer look proves that she's alive. The next day Christian meets her again at a yacht party and they fall in love. Later at a nearby motel, something weird happens as they prepare to go to bed together: An intruder breaks in and starts beating Christian who accidentally shoots him with his own gun. A few hours later they find out that the corpse is missing and a series of weird incidents takes place.

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Plot Keywords:

beach | gun | murder | long hair | hired killer | 

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Taglines:

Beyond "Psycho" SPASMO!

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Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

August 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

Efialtis

Filming Locations:

Porto Ercole, Monte Argentario, Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

George A. Romero shot approximately ten minutes of Cinemascope footage inserted into the United States release of the film, depicting the killings.

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Quotes

Alex: C'mon honey, let's go to the poop deck.

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Connections

Referenced in Il mostro (1977)

User Reviews

I could take you now, and you'd like it, even with the beard.

SPASMO is a gem, and possibly THE most preposterous, infinitely quotable, bafflingly ridiculous film i have ever seen!

The first half hour provides more belly laughs and crazy soundbites than most comedies, and this is supposed to be a deadly serious psychological horror film.

Find SPASMO. But first: watch the trailer! It's got to be the best trailer in the history of trailers; with a ranting, fevered italian bloke panting/groaning the word "SPASMO" at least ten times, ending in a final uttering of "SPASMO!" that sounds like he's constipated on the toilet, desperately trying to squeeze one out!

Wonderful, wonderful stuff. A joy to behold....