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Amazon.co.uk Review
Made in 1984, The Hitcher is an update--in spirit at least--of Steven Spielberg's first feature film, 1971's Duel. Here C Thomas Howell plays a guy taking a drive-away car from Chicago to San Diego. On a whim, in the rain, and against his better judgment, he picks up a hitchhiker (Rutger Hauer). The hitcher quickly admits to being a murdering psychopath and once Howell finally gets him out of his car, he is pursued with all the vengeance of the ancient furies. We're never sure if the hitcher is a figment of his imagination, making Howell a schizophrenic killer, or if he's real and Howell is the random victim of a wandering madman, which is how his potential new girlfriend (Jennifer Jason Leigh) thinks of him. Either way, The Hitcher is great fun, kinda scary and teetering on the brink of "must see". --Andy Spletzer
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As horror films go, this one is not a complete gore fest, yet it is memorable simply because it is big on suspense, psychological drama and implied horror.
Sometimes what you can't see is more frightening than what you can, and this film uses that psychological device to maximum effect.
The 'Hitcher' of the title is a sinister and shady Rutger Hauer, who will stop viewers in their tracks with his completely psychotic, but utterly compelling characterisation. He is a calm, controlled psychopath, which is very much more disturbing that a typical horror film ghoul.
The story begins when a young man called Jim (C. Thomas Howell) decides to pick up a hitcher, (Rutger Hauer). Within minutes, Jim quickly discovers that the Hitcher is a raving lunatic who wants to chop him into little pieces. Luckily, he manages to throw the Hitcher out the car, but the Hitcher doesn't give up that easily and continues to plague and stalk Jim, drawing him into a series of desperate and dangerous situations, also framing him for various crimes.
The most disturbing concept in this film is the psychological impact that the Hitcher's behaviour is having upon Jim. Rutger Hauer really does play a star turn as the Hitcher, turning in an eerily convincing and unnerving performance. At times, he is so relentlessly nasty, persistent and downright manic that his performance is more than likely to provoke a nervous smile, as he mocks and ridicules Jim's increasing distress. His murderous antics, however, are never anything less than disturbing.
Along the way, Jim receives the help of a young waitress, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, who believes in his innocence after the Hitcher frames him for various dastardly deeds. Leigh's character also meets a gruesome end.
The Hitcher's stalking of Jim eventually culminates in a showdown between the two, the outcome of which I won't reveal here.
The entire film plays out beautifully and subtly, and is superbly written and unsettling. The characterisation is superb right across the board, particularly in the case of Rutger Hauer, who is a charismatic and terrifying madman.
This is a fantastic film, not just for horror film enthusiasts, but for anyone who likes a good scare, or a suspenseful plot. It is fast-paced, dramatic, tense and intelligently written, yet reasonably subtle. It must be seen!
Sometimes what you can't see is more frightening than what you can, and this film uses that psychological device to maximum effect.
The 'Hitcher' of the title is a sinister and shady Rutger Hauer, who will stop viewers in their tracks with his completely psychotic, but utterly compelling characterisation. He is a calm, controlled psychopath, which is very much more disturbing that a typical horror film ghoul.
The story begins when a young man called Jim (C. Thomas Howell) decides to pick up a hitcher, (Rutger Hauer). Within minutes, Jim quickly discovers that the Hitcher is a raving lunatic who wants to chop him into little pieces. Luckily, he manages to throw the Hitcher out the car, but the Hitcher doesn't give up that easily and continues to plague and stalk Jim, drawing him into a series of desperate and dangerous situations, also framing him for various crimes.
The most disturbing concept in this film is the psychological impact that the Hitcher's behaviour is having upon Jim. Rutger Hauer really does play a star turn as the Hitcher, turning in an eerily convincing and unnerving performance. At times, he is so relentlessly nasty, persistent and downright manic that his performance is more than likely to provoke a nervous smile, as he mocks and ridicules Jim's increasing distress. His murderous antics, however, are never anything less than disturbing.
Along the way, Jim receives the help of a young waitress, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, who believes in his innocence after the Hitcher frames him for various dastardly deeds. Leigh's character also meets a gruesome end.
The Hitcher's stalking of Jim eventually culminates in a showdown between the two, the outcome of which I won't reveal here.
The entire film plays out beautifully and subtly, and is superbly written and unsettling. The characterisation is superb right across the board, particularly in the case of Rutger Hauer, who is a charismatic and terrifying madman.
This is a fantastic film, not just for horror film enthusiasts, but for anyone who likes a good scare, or a suspenseful plot. It is fast-paced, dramatic, tense and intelligently written, yet reasonably subtle. It must be seen!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
(See above synopsis)
When I first watched this film, I was terrified by it, and I remember my parents asking if I was feeling ok because I was white as a sheet. So I recently bought this on DVD to see if it held up to the test of time. It truly does. This is an exceptional thriller, incredibly tense and doesn’t reek of the 80’s at all. It could have been made now; such is the cinematography, music etc. All performances are excellent, Hauer playing the killer in a calm, deadpan way that is so eerie, and seeing Howell’s character develop and become stronger (and mildy insane) is fascinating. An absolute classic.
The extras: a new documentary on the making of the film, and 2 excellent short films, the first of which (and 35mins in length) is directed by Harmon and is similar to the Hitcher (and just as beautifully directed), and the other a 10 minute film co directed by Hauer. The ‘deleted scenes’ mentioned are in text format only.
When I first watched this film, I was terrified by it, and I remember my parents asking if I was feeling ok because I was white as a sheet. So I recently bought this on DVD to see if it held up to the test of time. It truly does. This is an exceptional thriller, incredibly tense and doesn’t reek of the 80’s at all. It could have been made now; such is the cinematography, music etc. All performances are excellent, Hauer playing the killer in a calm, deadpan way that is so eerie, and seeing Howell’s character develop and become stronger (and mildy insane) is fascinating. An absolute classic.
The extras: a new documentary on the making of the film, and 2 excellent short films, the first of which (and 35mins in length) is directed by Harmon and is similar to the Hitcher (and just as beautifully directed), and the other a 10 minute film co directed by Hauer. The ‘deleted scenes’ mentioned are in text format only.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I must admit i had never heard of this movie until a few months ago, and after hearing many Internet recommendations and that it was a cult film, i decided to buy it.
As you can see by my title i thoroughly enjoyed it and i feel that it would be a great addition to anyones DVD collection. There is certainly a mysticism about the film as The Hitcher is able to do some inplausable things but this all adds to the fun of the movie as we never really know if The Hitcher is another personality of Jim (which many suggest, but i dont go along with) or whether there is some other explanation to some of his feats. Anyway, the story goes as follows:
Jim Halsey, driving to San Diego in a drive away car he is supposed to deliver, nearly crashes due to him falling asleep. He sees a hitchhiker along the road and decides to stop thinking the hitcher could help him stay awake. When Jim opens the car door the first thing he says to the Hitcher is "My Mother told me never to do this" and he is about to find out why. The Hitcher himself seems a very strange person from the moment he gets in the car, and then we find out his real intentions, he is a murdering psychopath who has killed many people and admits that he is going to do the same to Jim. Getting extremely lucky, Jim manages to get the Hitcher out of his car and drive away. What follows is a torturing pursuit as the hitcher makes Jim's life a living hell and relentlesly pursuis him were ever he goes.
With excellent performances by all of the cast and some spectacular stunts along the way The Hitcher is great thrill ride for horror and road movie fans alike. Some of the action scenes are surprisingly spectacular and Hauer excells as the psychopathic Hitcher. I thoroughly recommend this movie to anyone as i cannot imagine any person disliking it to be honest.-
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Disappointing
I bought this DVD because I like Rutger Hauer. I was disappointed. Hardly any suspense, and such needless pools of haemoglobine! Read more
Published 9 months ago by Wanderer75
EDGE OF YOUR SEAT FUN
THIS MOVIE HAD ME ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE VERY END.
THE ACTING WAS SUPERB. GREAT MOVIE, IT WONT DISAPPOINT YOU. FORGET THE RE-MAKE THAT SUCKED.
THE ACTING WAS SUPERB. GREAT MOVIE, IT WONT DISAPPOINT YOU. FORGET THE RE-MAKE THAT SUCKED.
Published 9 months ago by becky1989
The original far better in this case
A very dynamic and edgy horror movie, mostly puts to shame the rubbish that is its remake. Rutger Hauer's performance is particularly smart for this type of low budget B movie.
Published 12 months ago by MJ. (scary drood)
Hitchin' A Ride
Never, ever accept a lift from someone you don't know. That is what mother always told me. Of course in the good old days, one never listened. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Monsieur Slinky
i was hitched
only previously watched on a pirate video
needless to say it was like watching a different film
a good action thriller with some nice touches
a good documentary... Read more
needless to say it was like watching a different film
a good action thriller with some nice touches
a good documentary... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Keith Randall
GREAT MOVIE!
The Hitcher is a classic, enough said. If you ain't seen it, what are you waiting for???
By the way, i just noticed that my Special Edition of The Hitcher does NOT have... Read more
By the way, i just noticed that my Special Edition of The Hitcher does NOT have... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Movie fanatic
Chilling
The Hitcher (original) has got to be nothing short of a classic. It's certainly one of my favourite films. Read more
Published 22 months ago by D. Climo
Best version
Still a great movie, Rutger Hauer is great in this film. The remake isn't worth bothering with.
Published on 28 July 2009 by B. Newbury
Never pick up a stranger.....
While I don't think that The Hitcher is a horror film it still is one of the greatest thrillers I have ever seen. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2009 by Puzzle box
it's actually a bit rubbish
seems there are lots of 5 star reviews for this film and whilst everyone is entitled to their opinion I just don't get it. Read more
Published on 22 Aug 2008 by andtash
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