Rome Express

Christian Stengel's two most intriguing works were saved by his actors : "Minuit Quai De Bercy " by Von Stroheim and the obscure " Pas De Pitié Pour Les Femmes " by Michel Auclair .

"Rome express" is also an intriguing work ,but its problem lies in the director's inability to choose between the pure thriller and the comedy;the indefatigable Jean Tissier (who made at least 200 movies ,almost always supporting parts)is here ,but what is lacking is good lines :no black humor ,no really funny situation .As far as the thriller side is concerned ,suspense is nowhere to be found.

The main interest is that almost the action takes place on a train à la "murder on the orient express" (the novel was written at the time).Five ladies (but only four of them show up) are invited on the Paris-Roma train by a mysterious correspondent who claims he is in search of a soul mate .

One by one ,the ladies vanish (but don't expect sir Alfred Hitchcock!) ;might this secret letter writer be a serial killer?

Despite a good potential ,the movie drags on.