Review of Cannibal Holocaust (1980) by Lee H — 08 Jan 2010

Where to start, ohhhhhhh where to start. Let me say that this movie wasn't really a "horror" movie but more of just a disgusting, gory film. The overall idea and plot of Cannibal Holocaust is absolute brilliant to tell you the truth. The basis of the plot involves a small search party going deep into the jungle in South America, or the "Green Inferno" as it is called in the movie. This area is littered with cannibalistic tribes and it is assumed that four film makers were captured and well, eaten by them while making a documentary. Thus the search party. The first half of the movie is spent following the party trying to find out what exactly happened to the filmers and to recover their film. The second half is actually watching the recovered film.

If you are somebody who has to look away during gore filled movie scenes, I wouldn't even recommend watching this movie. Or anyone with morals, really. There are numerous real killings of animals and people (thus why the movie is banned in over fifty countries) and it isn't for the squeemish. There is foul language and brutal rape scenes. But the movie draws you in, and you almost don't want to look away even though you are disgusted by what you see. I found myself looking at my cousin many times throughout the movie with a look of disbelief on my face due to the on-screen antics. From ripping a turtle's shell off to hoisting a helpless girl onto a giant spear and impaling her, the movie moves along with scenes like this constantly.

I really don't want to get into any more about the plot even though it is a given that everyone dies. This is a movie that you have to make an educated decision on whether to watch it or not. If you can handle the bloodiest, goriest movies, give it a shot. If you have a weak stomach or are completely appalled by such brutality, I suggest you don't even give it a second thought and forget the movie ever existed. As far as my rating for the film, I'll give it a 7/10. As much as I didn't even want to finish, I couldn't turn it off. It's something that you don't want to see but you can't look away. The cinematography and overall production, even though old, really gets the message across.