| Jungle Holocaust (1977) Dir: Ruggero Deodato Cast: Massimo Foschi, Me Me Lai, Ivan Rassimov Not Rated, Approx: 87 minutes Media Blasters/Shriek Show DVD |
| Much like other films in director Ruggero Deodato's cannon, Jungle Holocaust isn't an especially easy watch, in fact, for those with weak stomachs, it's damn near impossible. It may also be wise to note right off, that all animals being slaughtered throughout the film (and to be sure, there are several) are indeed, really being killed. Deodato claims that he was forced to include these moments, which were allegedly filmed by producer Giorgio Carlo Rossi. Who can say for sure however, whether or not the director was against such scenes, for he also included them in his next cannibal feautre, 1979's Cannibal Holocaust to a somewhat, more graphic extent. With that said, if it can be stomached, Jungle Holocaust is certainly a spectacular watch. A violent and disturbing, yet compelling and thouroughly engrossing 'gorefest', viewers willing to sit through a particularly wrenching 87 minutes are bound to have an unforgettable experience-for this is easily one of the best films of its kind and perhaps even eclipses the director's own (and more popular) Cannibal Holocaust. |
| When Robert Harper, a wealthy industrialist, sets out by plane to visit a potential oil foundry deep within the jungles of New Guinea with friend Rolfe, complications immediately arise as the two men find themselves being hunted by a long thought extinct tribe of savage cannibals. Almost instantly, one of their traveling companions, along with their pilot are killed by the savages putting Robert and friend on the run for their lives. Robert and Rolfe are seperated and Robert, inevitably captured by the tribe where he is caged and left alive to suffer several harsh indignities. He is stripped naked, genitals fondled, he is urinated on by several children and fed only the skimpiest of disgusting left over scraps as he soon discovers that he is only to be kept alive to serve as bait for the tribe's food (an alligator which they intend to fatten up before they kill and eat). Robert beriends a sympathetic native whom he eventually escapes from camp with. With a tribe of savage cannibals on his trail and his humanity slipping away by the minute, Robert and the native are forced to trudge through the harsh jungles in an effort to survive and figure out a way to escape back to civilization. |
| Part jungle adventure, a tad character study and of course, entirely a gross out cannibal film, Jungle Holocaust is a brilliantly constructed genre piece. Deodato masterfully fashions a gripping portrait of a civilized man's psychological regression from civil to primitive in the form of main character Robert. When we first meet this character, he's a typical entrepreneur, complete with charm and keen business savy. Yet watching his sanity slip away as he's forced to endure many horrific hardships is very effective, especially in the moment where he succumbs to desire and brutally rapes the native woman who has befriended him. This all culumnates in a gruesome moment where he must combat an attacking savage, and while I won't give anything away, this particular scene is incredibly effective thanks do Deodato's superb job of taking the viewer along with Robert every step of the way. By this point in the film, Robert's sole instinct is to survive and it's incredibly believable. More credit must be bestowed upon the fine performers of the piece, most notably Massimo Foschi (as Robert) and Me Me Lai (as the native woman with great breasts). These actors display a lot of courage in this work (both performers spend their fair share of time completely naked) and aside from being rather good actors, are further enhanced by their willingness to fully interact with their environments lending about one hundred percent authenticity to the film. |
| Jungle Holocaust is indeed Deodato's show. Although very well written by Tito Carpi and Gianfranco Clerici, in the hands of another director, the film may not have been as realistic or effective. To Deodato's credit, filming this out in the actual jungles really benefits the proceedings. With a keen eye, the director does an admirable job of capturing the exotic locations of the jungle, creating a very stark and memorable atmosphere. This is a terrifying place to be and not only do we feel scared for Robert, but this also emerges as a place I would absolutely not ever want to visit! Moving Jungle Holocaust at fast pace, Deodato never really slows things down, except for when he stops to revel in a truly grisily sight or two. Such sights include a bat being devowered by a massive snake, a man gruesomely impailed on a spherical, multi-spiked trap and one truly showstopping moment where a pregnant woman delivers her own child, only to chomp the umbilical chord between her teeth and toss the newborn into a river where it is eaten by an alligator. These along with more graphic scenes (which I won't spoil here) aren't the easiest things to get through, even the more seasoned vets will probably omit a gasp here or there, but these elements work to get Deodato's point across rather vividly. |
| This is NOT something for everyone to see. What it is, however, is a masterpiece of not only the cannibal subgenre, but of the genre in whole. This is a powerful work and one that isn't easily forgotten. Certain scenes will be floating throughout your head for days to be sure, and what makes all of this click as more than exploitation is the story at its core. At the heart of Jungle Holocaust we have a film consisting of more than grue (unlike Umberto Lenzi's works such as Make Them Die Slowly or Eaten Alive!), with a voice somewhat more subtle than Deodato's more heavyhanded Cannibal Holocaust and for my money, emerges as a very well done film. This is not to say that one of Deodato's Holocausts is superior to the other, both films succeed on their own merits, but rather, if you can get into Jungle Holocaust (and remember, you've been warned), you will find yourself not only engrossed, but thinking about this film long after it's finished. |
| Also known as Ultimo Mondo Cannibale, Cannibal, Carnivorous, The Last Survivor and Last Cannibal World (which is the onscreen title-even on the reviewed DVD), Shriek Show's latest DVD is an improvment over their absolutely dreadful Demonia and Graveyard Shift (retitled Central Park Drifter for the release) discs. Included here is an audio commentary by director Deodato (who also does an introduction) along with several lobby card reproductions and interviews with stars Foschi and Rassimov. This is a great release for a great film and well worth your money. |
| Matt's Rating: ***** (out of 5) |
| Reviewed by Matt Serafini 03/06/02 |
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