Hotel Fear (1978)
A wartime hotel becomes a hunting ground in this atmospheric Italian-Spanish horror mystery from director Francesco Barilli.
Hotel Fear - Movie Information
- Original Title: Pensione paura
- Release Year: 1978
- Directed by: Francesco Barilli
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 16, 1978 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: La violación de la señorita Julia (ES), Qorxu Oteli (AZ)
- Production Companies: Alexandra Films S.A., Aleph Cinematografica
- Production Countries: Spain, Italy
Hotel Fear - Plot
A young girl and her mother run a hotel during the war. When the mother dies, the girl finds herself at the mercy of her sex-crazed guests. Soon enough, a cloaked figure starts killing off everyone that tries to harm her.
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Hotel Fear - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Francesco Barilli
Main Cast
- Leonora Fani
- Luc Merenda
- Francisco Rabal
- Jole Fierro
- José María Prada
- Lidia Biondi
- Francesco Impeciati
- Carlo Totti
- Maria D'Alessandro
- Diala Caruso
Writers
- Barbara Alberti
- Amedeo Pagani
- Francisco Ariza
- Francesco Barilli
- José Gutiérrez Maesso
Producers
- José Gutiérrez Maesso
- Tommaso Dazzi
- Paolo Fornasier
- Tadeo Villalba
Hotel Fear - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Hotel Fear?
Hotel Fear stars Leonora Fani as Rosa, the young woman at the center of the story, alongside Luc Merenda, Francisco Rabal, Jole Fierro, José María Prada, and Lidia Biondi as Marta. The cast blends Italian and Spanish talent, giving the film a distinctly international giallo flavor.
What is Hotel Fear about?
Hotel Fear follows a young woman named Rosa who helps her mother run a small hotel during wartime. After her mother dies, Rosa is left vulnerable to the hotel's predatory guests — until a mysterious cloaked figure begins killing everyone who threatens her, turning the film into a tense whodunit.
Who is the cloaked killer in Hotel Fear?
The identity of the cloaked killer is the central mystery of Hotel Fear. The film builds suspense by keeping the figure's identity hidden throughout, weaving together the hotel's dangerous cast of characters in classic giallo fashion. Discovering who is protecting Rosa — and why — is the film's key dramatic payoff.
Is Hotel Fear based on a true story?
No, Hotel Fear is not based on a true story. It is an original work of fiction, written by a team including Barbara Alberti, Amedeo Pagani, Francisco Ariza, Francesco Barilli, and José Gutiérrez Maesso. The wartime hotel setting gives it an atmospheric, grounded feel, but the story is entirely invented.
Where can I watch Hotel Fear?
You can watch Hotel Fear on Amazon Video, where it is available to buy or rent. It's a great pick for fans of late-1970s Italian horror and giallo cinema looking for a lesser-known gem with a genuinely unsettling atmosphere.
Who directed Hotel Fear?
Hotel Fear was directed by Francesco Barilli, the Italian filmmaker best known for his atmospheric 1974 horror film Il profumo della signora in nero (The Perfume of the Lady in Black). Barilli brings a similarly dreamlike, psychologically charged sensibility to Hotel Fear, making it a distinctive entry in 1970s European horror.
When was Hotel Fear released?
Hotel Fear was released on February 16, 1978, in Italy. It is an Italian-Spanish co-production, made by Alexandra Films S.A. and Aleph Cinematografica, and represents a fascinating slice of late-1970s European genre cinema with its wartime setting and giallo-inflected mystery.
What are some movies similar to Hotel Fear?
If you enjoy Hotel Fear, you might also like The Case of the Bloody Iris (1972), Psycho (1960), Lost Soul (1977), and Grand Hotel (1932). These films share similar themes of isolation, danger, and mystery within enclosed spaces, making them natural companions for fans of atmospheric horror and suspense.
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