Terror Express (DVD - 1979)
R2 / PAL DVD
Camera Obscura / 2009
Directed by Ferdinando Baldi
Written by George Eastman
Cast: Silvia Dioniso, Werner Pochath, Zora Kerova, Fausto Lomardi & Carlo De Mejo
Review by Phillip Escott
 

When Wes Craven released a low-budget slice of sadism upon the world in 1972, few would have thought that it would inspire a whole slew of knock-offs across the globe, mostly from that gloriously little country – Italy. Last House on the Left is responsible for it fair share of great exploitation flicks, without it we may never have had Night Train Murders, Last House on the Beach, or even Last House on the Edge of the Park! That, my friends, would be a sorry, sorry world to live in. Ferdinando Baldi may not have the reputation of the film's writer, George Eastman, but boy, oh boy he knew how to make a sleazy little movie!

Three thugs hold-up a carriage on an over-night train. The passengers consist of a couple of couples, some businessmen, a policeman, a prisoner, a ticket collector and the trains very own hooker! Things start off regularly enough with some verbal abuse here, some hanky-panky there. Once the goons get bored though, things take a turn for the worst; and this is where the film excels – in making the viewer feel dirty! There's a rape scene that would make Sam Peckinpah blush, and whoever though of casting gay actor Werner Pochath as a sexually frustrated sex-pest deserves the medal of honour.

The film isn't as graphically violent as it's predecessors, but what it lacks in blood and gore it makes up for with nudity and sleaze... so much sleaze. The grime that builds-up on the viewer while undertaking this little nasty is other-worldly, it'll take at least a weekend to wash it all off. Terror Express isn't the best example of the rape/revenge genre however, it's a little too slow in getting to the good stuff, but when it arrives it's not easily forgotten; like the scene in which the thugs stake the virginity of a teenage passenger to the businessmen onboard while playing dice - including her father, who earlier in the night paid the trains prostitute to dress up in his daughters clothes while he got his freak-on! Ugh.

Terror Express has been given a gorgeous release from Camera Obscura, who have picked up the Italian Genre Cinema Collection that was started by Sazuma.com. Those familiar with the previous entries in the collection, which included Last House on the Beach, will know what to expect – sheer quality. The presentation is better than you will have thought possible, save for a couple of scenes taken from a lesser source. This is the films only uncut release, so anyone who bitches over a few scenes is taking something they shouldn't. The disc also boasts and in-depth featurette with interviews with the likes of Zora Kerova and George Eastman.

It may not be a crowning achievement in Italian exploitation, but it sure as hell is a lot of fun. Those who enjoy the titles that have been mentioned above will surely find something to entertain them here. For casual viewers though, all the sweat, grime and generally nastiness might not win them over, Terror Express is for hardened sleaze-viewers only! You can take that as hearty recommendation.