Hitch Hike (1977)
"Autostop rosso sangue" (original title)

A bickering couple driving cross-country pick up a murderous hitchhiker whom threatens to kill them unless they take him to a santuary, and in return agrees to split some bank loot he has on him.

Director:

Pasquale Festa Campanile

Writers:

Peter Kane (novel), Aldo Crudo (screen treatment),

Stars:

Franco Nero, Corinne Cléry, David Hess

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Franco Nero	...	Walter Mancini
Corinne Cléry	...	Eve Mancini
David Hess	...	Adam Konitz
Joshua Sinclair	...	Oaks (as John Loffredo)
Carlo Puri	...	Hawk
Ignazio Spalla	...	Bar Owner (as Pedro Sanchez)
Leonardo Scavino	...	Mendoza (as Leon Lenor)
Mónica Zanchi	...	Girl at Camp Site
Benito Pacifico	...	Highway Patrolman #1
Angelo Ragusa	...	Highway Patrolman #2
Luigi Birri	...	Motorcycle Punk #2
Robert Sommer	...	Harry Stetson
Ann Ferguson	...	Lucy Stetson
Fausto Di Bella	...	Motorcycle Punk #1

Storyline

Walter Mancini is a egostical newspaper editor whom is driving across California with his spiteful wife, Eve, on a weekend getaway to save their troubled marriage. But things take a turn when they pick up a straded motorist, named Adam, whom takes them hostage revealing himself to be a fugitive running from both the police and his two acomplices after robbing a bank and making off with all the loot. But things are not always as they seem as Walter and Eve try to find a way to not only get rid of their unwanted car guest, but find a way to deal with each other when both see the tempting offer of the stolen $2 million in cash Adam always has on him.

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Plot Keywords:

hostage | hitchhiker | leg spreading | sex outside | nude girl | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian English

Release Date:

July 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hitch Hike

Filming Locations:

Campo Imperatore, L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Explorer Film '58, Medusa Produzione

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Franco Nero had a broken hand throughout the film because the he actually broke his hand working on a previous production. Because of the injury the script was re-written to have Walter drunkly fall and break his hand early in the film. Also it was re-written that Eve would be driving the car throughout the film, originally it was suppose to be Walter driving.

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Goofs

When Walter shows matchbook with "SOS" to Highway Patrol officer, the book has only four matches left. When Adam shows the matchbook in the next scene, it is nearly full.

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Connections

Referenced in Ban the Sadist Videos! Part 2 (2006)

User Reviews

The vast majority of voters gave this a "7"; they were dead right.

The simple, straightforward direction, the visually beautiful locations, the atmospheric score, and Franco Nero's great performance (I know David Hess has his fans also, but he really doesn't display much charisma in this role; imagine what a Henry Silva could have done with this!) are all positive qualities of the film. But the script is so nihilistic and cold-hearted that it's really hard to say you "liked" the film. The story becomes so labored, tries so hard to come to the most downbeat conclusion possible, that the film goes on at least 20 minutes too long. (**1/2)