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Haute tension (2003)
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Overview
Tagline:
Hearts will bleed.Plot:
Two college friends, Marie and Alexa, encounter loads of trouble (and blood) while on vacation at Alexa's parents' country home when a mysterious killer invades their quiet getaway. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
4 wins & 3 nominations moreUser Comments:
A rush of adrenaline moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Cécile De France | ... | Marie | |
| Maïwenn Le Besco | ... | Alexia (as Maïwenn) | |
| Philippe Nahon | ... | Le tueur | |
| Franck Khalfoun | ... | Jimmy | |
| Andrei Finti | ... | Alex's Father | |
| Oana Pellea | ... | Alex's Mother | |
| Marco Claudiu Pascu | ... | Tom | |
| Jean-Claude de Goros | ... | Police Captain | |
| Bogdan Uritescu | ... | Gendarme | |
| Gabriel Spahiu | ... | Homme voiture |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Switchblade Romance (International: English title) (UK) (DVD box title)High Tension (USA)
more
MPAA:
Rated NC-17 for strong graphic violence.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
91 min | USA:89 min (edited version) | South Korea:84 min (re-cut version) | Germany:85 min (DVD version)Country:
FranceColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Dolby Digital EX (original version) | Dolby Digital (US version) | SDDS (US version) | DTSCertification:
Argentina:16 | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | Australia:R | USA:Unrated (DVD rating) | USA:R (edited for re-rating) | Czech Republic:15 | USA:R (cut) | New Zealand:R18 | South Korea:18 (re-rating) (cut) (DVD rating) (uncut) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Sweden:15 | Germany:18 (JK/SPIO) (cut) | Malaysia:(Banned) | Portugal:M/18 | Austria:18 | Canada:18A (British Columbia/Ontario) | Canada:R (Alberta) | Finland:K-18 | France:-16 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-15 | Norway:18 | Singapore:R21 | South Korea:Limited (original rating) | Spain:18 | UK:18 | USA:R (edited version) | Germany:18 (cut) | Canada:16+ (Quebec)MOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The overalls that the killer is wearing the whole time say "Aja & Freres" on the back. The director's name is Alexandre Aja. moreGoofs:
Boom mic visible: When Marie is being shown around the house, in the kitchen there is a boom mike that comes into the shot from above and stays there for a few seconds. moreSoundtrack:
I Believe moreFAQ
On the R1 Unrated DVD, there are three different set-up options. What are the differences?What is the song in the trailer?
What song plays during the car chase and ending scenes?
more
more
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The title of this marvellous French horror thriller translates directly into English as 'High Tension', and as anyone who's seen it will tell you; it's an apt title. Simply put, Switchblade Romance (to give it English release, and better, title) is a pure adrenaline rush throughout. The film forsakes substance in favour of masses of tension and the result is a film that is guaranteed to get your heart racing. The fact that the film features numerous sequences of extreme gore doesn't exactly hinder it either. There has been a surge of good, inventive horror coming from overseas and independent studios recently; the likes of May, Dog Soldiers and Sleepless being among the best of them, and Switchblade Romance sits nicely alongside the cream of the recent crop. This film follows two friends, Alex and Marie who go to stay with Alex's parents in their country home. However, things go awry when a man breaks into the home and brutally murders the family. We then follow Alex and Marie through a roller coaster ride of tension and suspense as they try their best not get sliced and diced!
The film is very stylishly shot, and this has lead many to label it a 'Giallo'. This is most certainly not true, and there isn't much other than the style of the movie to suggest this. Switchblade Romance is more of a Texas Chainsaw Massacre style horror driven slasher than a Giallo; the film clearly knows this also, with a direct homage to the seventies classic towards it's climax. The amount of gore on display is impressive, and several scenes are certainly not for the feint-hearted. There's quite an array of weaponry in the film also, from the plain and simple switchblade, to much more exciting weapons like barbed wire, various guns, an axe and, my personal favourite, the chainsaw! In fact, I am pleased to report that Switchblade Romance features what is maybe the most brutal chainsaw scene ever! Aside from the weapons and gore, this film is also of note for it's music. The original score sets just the right tone for the goings on - it's atmospheric, but steady and almost like a lullaby, which fits with the film's style nicely. Switchblade Romance also features one of the best uses of original music of recent years, with a great scene that incorporates Muse's "New Born".
Switchblade Romance is pure style, and a complete adrenaline rush. Tension isn't in the film, it IS the film. In spite of it's lack of substance, this movie will have you on the edge of your seat and begging for more. Add that to some lovely music, classy acting and enough gore to fill an abattoir - and what you've got is the makings of a cult classic!