Review of Cannibal Holocaust (1980) by Shayne J — 22 Mar 2013

I was absolutely horrified and disgusted by this film; and yet I have an immense respect for it and consider it an important contribution to the annals of horror.

Cannibal Holocaust is Grand Guignol at its finest, both in terms of its social commentary and in terms of the acts depicted. The realistic appearance of many of the deaths and other acts of "savagery", coupled with the actual live animal killings make this a hard movie to watch, while placing it firmly in the realm of Grand Guignol. The contrast of the Amazonian natives "barbarity" vs. what the white North Americans are so readily capable of is what allows this film to rise above modern day "torture porn" into something with artistic merit.

I recommend this film- but only to watch once. Some things only need to be seen once. Cannibal Holocaust is such a thing.