Night Train to Venice

Night Train to Venice
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Carlo U. Quinterio
Produced by	Toni Hirtreiter
Written by	Toni Hirtreiter Leo Tichat
Starring	Hugh Grant Tahnee Welch Malcolm McDowell Rachel Rice Faye Adell Kristina Söderbaum Angelina Amaris
Music by	Wolfgang Hammerschmid
Cinematography	Armando Nannuzzi
Editing by	Wiktor Grodecki
Distributed by	International Video Pictures
Release date(s)	July 19, 1996 (Spain)
Running time	98 min.
Country	Germany
Language	English

Night Train to Venice is a 1993 German contemporary Gothic film directed by Carlo U. Quinterio. This international production was a cooperation of British, Italian, and German artists, including Hugh Grant, Malcolm McDowell, Tahnee Welch, Faye Adell, Evelyn Opela, Angelina Amaris, Kristina Söderbaum and Rachel Rice (Big Brother 9 winner).

The film has been criticized for the non-linear plot it follows and the obvious references to the Gothic genre. It has also been described as an attempt to capitalize the ascending popularity of Hugh Grant, after the success of Four Weddings and a Funeral.^[1]

In a radio interview in 2002, Hugh Grant deemed the film the "worst" he has ever been in.^{[citation needed]}

The thriller presents a labyrinthine combination of sexual transgression, darkness, and intrigue, bearing a strong similarity to other Gothic texts, including Dracula. The story itself features obscure icons, such as the constant appearance of a woman and child dressed in white, ferocious Dobermans who have a taste for human flesh, Venetians in strange masks, and recurring figures of the Commedia dell'arte; all of these elements wrapped in a dream-like atmosphere.^[2]

Plot

The story revolves around the young journalist Martin Gimmle (Hugh Grant) who is traveling to Venice by train to drop off a copy of his book on European Neo-Nazism. On the way there he meets a bevy of odd characters. Among them is The Stranger (Malcolm McDowell), an illusive and evil character, who has mysterious powers over dreams. He also encounters Vera (Tahnee Welch), a performer who is travelling with her daughter, and he falls in love with her. He eventually becomes prey to his mysterious surroundings, following the trail of Neo-Nazi gangs and their leader, The Stranger, who uses his powers, causing Martin the loss of his memory. The only persons who can help him now are Vera and her daughter.

References

1. ^ http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,297097,00.html
2. ^ http://www.epixhd.com/night-train-to-venice/

External links

• Night Train to Venice at the Internet Movie Database
• Night Train to Venice at Rotten Tomatoes
• Night Train to Venice at AllRovi