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HITCH-HIKE aka AUTOSTOP ROSSO SANGUE (Anchor Bay Entertainment UK, 2003) Head Count: Tag-line: None, on this release. Death Toll: Six people. Cutting Remarks: 1977's Hitch-Hike emerged in the UK as Death Drive in cinemas, and as Hitch-Hike on the VTC label, and promptly gained a strong cult following. Yet it became hard to find, with the VTC video later fetching up to £60 from collectors. To see it on pristine DVD in 2003 is quite remarkable.          It's a film which doubtless influenced various psycho road movies that would follow: The Hitcher and the first half of From Dusk 'Til Dawn to name but two. Like the excellent Cohen & Tate, this dark drama revolves around three main cast members: Franco Nero as the journalist Walter Mancini, Corinne Cleary as his wife Eve and David Last House On The Left Hess as the psychotic bank robber Adam Konitz, whom they unwisely pick up on the road-side. All play their parts superbly. The really brave thing about Hitch-Hike, however, is that Mancini is no kind of hero at all - he's a bitter alcoholic who abuses Eve both sexually and emotionally. That's what makes Hitch-Hike a notch above your standard cut-and-dried, good-versus-evil road flick.          The sexual and physical violence is pretty strong stuff, and this release is completely uncut. This is amazing, given that one scene appears to show a woman starting to enjoy a rape half-way through. This kind of thing caused so much fuss in Straw Dogs that it's incredible that the BBFC have allowed this through. Still, we ain't complaining. Most Memorable Demise: A cop getting shot through his helmet. Yes, the one on his head. Look Out For: Nero throwing a fantastic fit when his car won't start, towards the end. Killer Quote: "How would you like to suck my cock?" - Walter and Eve start to think that maybe, just maybe, they shouldn't have picked up Konitz. DVD Details: Once again, Anchor Bay deliver. Best of all, this includes a latterday featurette titled The Devil Thumbs A Ride, in which the three main stars are interviewed. All have fond memories of the movie - sometimes conflicting memories, too. Hess claims that Nero broke his nose during a fight sequence, while Nero chuckles that Hess is exaggerating somewhat. Enthralling. There are also written on-screen biogs of the Nero, Hess and the late director Pasquale Festa Campanile, the theatrical trailer and on-screen film notes. Excellent. Release Date: March 24, 2003. Yep, it's out now. [Check it out at Amazon UK] [Check it out at Amazon US] [Reviews Menu] [Home] © Copyright Slasherama 2002-present