Review of Cannibal Holocaust (1980) by Coxxie M — 26 May 2011

This review contains some spoilers*******************.

A search team is sent to the Amazon jungle to find out what happened to a missing film crew, doing a documentary on cannibals. They quickly discover the film crew were devoured by the cannibals, but manage to return to New York with their film reels in tact.

Once back in New York, the leader of the Search team, anthropologist Professor Monroe is asked to view the film reels before they are aired by a local TV station. He is so appalled by what he sees, he begs the TV executives to view the reels before they broadcast. They reluctantly agree, but by the time they've finished watching them, they order the reels to be destroyed so that no-one else has to see them.

Cannibal Holocaust is probably the most (in)famous exploitation movie of them all. Its reputation to shock and sicken has remained intact since its initial release in 1979. This film is a true tour-de-force, skilfully made and an obvious labor of love for its Director, Ruggero Deodato (who had to prove in court that the effects used in the film weren't real, that it isn't an actual snuff movie).

What sets this movie apart from almost anything else is its underlying tone of nastiness, it's all about the human condition at its worst; greedy, corrupting and power-crazy. The special effects are superb and almost too realistic; the acting is also top-notch (a genuine surprise given the genre).

Where Cannibal Holocaust comes into its own is in the second half of the film, when we the audience get to watch the recovered film reels of the slain documentary team. Deodato uses 8mm hand-helds and POV shots continuously, making all the on-screen mayhem seem absolutely authentic. It's a very clever device that was used in The Blair Witch Project' 20 years later.

I won't say too much more about this film, other than the fact that it is a masterpiece of horror cinema ; it deserve to have the huge cult-following that it enjoys. The only thing I would say is that whatever you do, make sure you watch the full uncut version on dvd or catch a theatrical screening if possible.

A milestone and every bit as sickening and intense as you've heard watch it if you dare!