Night Train to Venice
Encyclopedia
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
.
In a radio interview in 2002, Hugh Grant deemed the film the "worst" he has ever been in.
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 Doberman
s 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.
) 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.
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
contemporary Gothic film
Goth subculture
The goth subculture is a contemporary subculture found in many countries. It began in England during the early 1980s in the gothic rock scene, an offshoot of the post-punk genre. The goth subculture has survived much longer than others of the same era, and has continued to diversify...
directed by Carlo U. Quinterio. This international production was a cooperation of British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and German artists, including Hugh Grant
Hugh Grant
Hugh John Mungo Grant is an English actor and film producer. He has received a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA, and an Honorary César. His films have earned more than $2.4 billion from 25 theatrical releases worldwide. Grant achieved international stardom after appearing in Richard Curtis's...
, Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell is an English actor with a career spanning over forty years.McDowell is principally known for his roles in the controversial films If...., O Lucky Man!, A Clockwork Orange and Caligula...
, Tahnee Welch
Tahnee Welch
Tahnee Welch is an American model and actress.She was born in San Diego, California, the daughter of actress Raquel Welch and her first husband, James Welch. She appeared in Time magazine in a photo with her mother.Her film career began in Italy starring opposite Virna Lisi. Returning to the U.S...
, Faye Adell
Faye Adell
Faye Adell is a French-German actress, film director, and producer, best known for her role as Audette Mende on the television series Eva, ganz mein Fall and in the television show Marienhof ....
, Evelyn Opela
Evelyn Opela
Evelyn Opela is a German television actress.Since 1986 she is married with German television film producer Helmut Ringelmann...
, Angelina Amaris
Angelina Amaris
Angelina Amaris is a German actress and Film Producer. Her first stage performance takes place at the age of only 3 years at the Deutsches Theater in Munich...
, Kristina Söderbaum
Kristina Söderbaum
Kristina Söderbaum was a Swedish-born German film actress, producer and photographer.Her father, Professor Henrik Gustaf Söderbaum , was the permanent secretary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences....
and Rachel Rice
Rachel Rice
Rachel Rice is a Welsh actress and model. She is most well known for competing in and later winning the television series Big Brother 9 in the United Kingdom. She has a degree in English and Drama, and is now a fully qualified teacher....
(Big Brother 9
Big Brother 2008 (UK)
Big Brother 2008 was the ninth series of the British reality television series Big Brother, that aired on Channel 4 and E4. The series was launched on 5 June 2008, and ran for 13 weeks until 5 September 2008. The winner of Big Brother 2008 was Rachel Rice who beat bookies' favourite Michael Hughes...
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
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Four Weddings and a Funeral is a 1994 British comedy film directed by Mike Newell. It was the first of several films by screenwriter Richard Curtis to feature Hugh Grant...
.
In a radio interview in 2002, Hugh Grant deemed the film the "worst" he has ever been in.
The thriller presents a labyrinthine combination of sexual transgression, darkness, and intrigue, bearing a strong similarity to other Gothic texts, including Dracula
Dracula
Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
. The story itself features obscure icons, such as the constant appearance of a woman and child dressed in white, ferocious Doberman
Doberman
Doberman or Dobermann most commonly refers to Doberman Pinscher, a breed of dog, or to its creator, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann.It may also refer to:*Doberman , a 2003 album by Tomoyasu Hotei*Doberman , a Japanese ska/punk band...
s who have a taste for human flesh, Venetians
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
in strange masks, and recurring figures of the Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
; all of these elements wrapped in a dream-like atmosphere.
Plot
The story revolves around the young journalist Martin Gimmle (Hugh GrantHugh Grant
Hugh John Mungo Grant is an English actor and film producer. He has received a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA, and an Honorary César. His films have earned more than $2.4 billion from 25 theatrical releases worldwide. Grant achieved international stardom after appearing in Richard Curtis's...
) who is traveling to Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
by train to drop off a copy of his book on European Neo-Nazism
Neo-Nazism
Neo-Nazism consists of post-World War II social or political movements seeking to revive Nazism or some variant thereof.The term neo-Nazism can also refer to the ideology of these movements....
. On the way there he meets a bevy of odd characters. Among them is The Stranger (Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell is an English actor with a career spanning over forty years.McDowell is principally known for his roles in the controversial films If...., O Lucky Man!, A Clockwork Orange and Caligula...
), an illusive and evil character, who has mysterious powers over dreams. He also encounters Vera (Tahnee Welch
Tahnee Welch
Tahnee Welch is an American model and actress.She was born in San Diego, California, the daughter of actress Raquel Welch and her first husband, James Welch. She appeared in Time magazine in a photo with her mother.Her film career began in Italy starring opposite Virna Lisi. Returning to the U.S...
), 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.