The Night Porter (1974)

6.6R118 minDirector: Liliana Cavani

1974 film by Liliana Cavani

The Night Porter (Italian: Il portiere di notte) is a 1974 Italian erotic psychological war drama film co-written and directed by Liliana Cavani. It stars Dirk Bogarde and Charlotte Rampling, with Philippe Leroy, Gabriele Ferzetti, and Isa Miranda in supporting roles. Set in Vienna in 1957, the film centers on the sadomasochistic relationship between a former Nazi concentration camp officer (Bogarde) and one of his inmates (Rampling).

The film's themes of sexual and sadomasochistic obsession, and its use of Holocaust imagery, have made the film controversial since its initial release, dividing critics over its artistic value. In July 2018, it was selected to be screened in the Venice Classics section of the 75th Venice International Film Festival.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is The Night Porter about?
The Night Porter (1974) — Thirteen years after World War II, concentration camp survivor Lucia (Charlotte Rampling) and her tormentor Max (Sir Dirk Bogarde), currently the night porter at a Vienna hotel, meet again and fall back into their sado-masochistic relationship.
Is The Night Porter based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is The Night Porter scary?
Content rating: R. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.