Autostop rosso sangue (1977)
'Autostop rosso sangue' (1977), also known internationally as 'Hitch-Hike', is an Italian crime–thriller directed by "Pasquale Festa Campanile". Blending suspense, psychological tension and gritty 1970s road-movie energy, the film follows a married couple whose journey turns into a nightmare after they pick up a dangerous hitchhiker. With strong performances, especially from "Franco Nero" and "David Hess", the movie has become a cult classic in Italian exploitation cinema.
Plot Summary
The film follows "Walter Mancini", a cynical journalist and his wife "Eve", who are traveling across the desert in hopes of reconnecting and repairing their troubled marriage. Their road trip, however, takes a dark turn when they decide to give a ride to "Adam Konitz", a mysterious hitchhiker.
Adam soon reveals that he is a violent criminal who has just committed a robbery. Holding the couple hostage inside their own car, he forces them to drive while manipulating them psychologically and emotionally. As tension rises, the journey becomes a brutal test of survival, filled with fear, desperation and unexpected twists.
The film’s atmosphere becomes increasingly intense as the couple must outsmart their captor before their journey ends in tragedy.
Movie Details
Title: Autostop rosso sangue
English Titles: Hitch-Hike / Death Ride
Release Year: 1977
Genre: Crime / Thriller / Road Movie
Director: Pasquale Festa Campanile
Producers: Luciano Martino
Writers: Pasquale Festa Campanile, Ottavio Jemma
Based on: The novel 'The Violence and the Fury' by Peter Kane
Main Cast:
- Franco Nero as Walter
- Corinne Cléry as Eve
- David Hess as Adam
- Runtime: Approx. 104 minutes
- Country: Italy
- Language: Italian
Movie Review
'Autostop rosso sangue' is a tense, unsettling thriller that stands out for its psychological depth and raw performances. David Hess delivers a chilling portrayal of a manipulative and unpredictable criminal, while Franco Nero brings emotional weight to the role of a flawed but determined husband.
The film effectively blends suspense with drama, exploring themes of violence, fear and the breakdown of trust within a relationship. Its desert setting and road-movie style create a sense of isolation that heightens the tension throughout. While shocking at times—characteristic of Italian exploitation films of the 1970s—it remains a gripping and memorable thriller.
For fans of intense, character-driven suspense, *Autostop rosso sangue* is a standout title from the era.
'Autostop rosso sangue' (1977) is a gripping Italian crime thriller that mixes psychological tension, powerful acting and unpredictable twists. Its cult status continues to grow, making it an essential watch for fans of 1970s European thrillers and exploitation cinema.
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