Cannibal Holocaust (1979)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Cory T

  
  It's an ironically venomous counterpoint to have melodic, almost beautifully serene music to play over pornographically violent images and Deodato masters it. In the sprawling jungle, barbaric, "backwards" tribes live by their own "rules of conduct" which… More
  It's an ironically venomous counterpoint to have melodic, almost beautifully serene music to play over pornographically violent images and Deodato masters it. In the sprawling jungle, barbaric, "backwards" tribes live by their own "rules of conduct" which include a baneful punishment for adultery and cannibalism. This is one of the first examples of cinema verite for horror and while it's influential and certainly jolting in its ultra-realistic mutilation, it's only moderately successful. The appearance of validity is definitely virtuoso (ex. Some of the production "rushes" are devoid of NAT sound) and most of the animal vivisection was not simulated (a turtle is cruelly eviscerated). Deodato is stupendous at unwinding the haughty American ego of creating the news when none is extant and underestimating the superstitious locals who believe Kerman captured someone's soul on a tape recorder. The auteur director and his accomplices' comeuppances are outlandishly raw in a fly-on-the-wall vantage point. Overall, the film admirably skirts camp value and retains a disturbing verisimilitude despite the desynchronized dubbing and lack of emotional attachment to the filmmakers who torch the village to spur the cannibals' retribution.

• Matthew R

  
  There is no possible way to walk away from watching Italian horror maestro Ruggero Deodato's magnum opus, Cannibal Holocaust, without being changed by it. Quite possibly one of the hardest and most savagely unwatchable films I have ever struggled to watch succeeds what it sets… More
  There is no possible way to walk away from watching Italian horror maestro Ruggero Deodato's magnum opus, Cannibal Holocaust, without being changed by it. Quite possibly one of the hardest and most savagely unwatchable films I have ever struggled to watch succeeds what it sets out to do, make the audience feel completely awful that they are watching this movie. The acting is unbelievably realistic, adding to the further hyperrealism horror that this film is so famous for, and with the actual killing of seven animals, all filmed, the animal cruelty in this film cannot be matched by any film I have seen (From a pig being kicked and shot with a rifle to a turtle being decapitated and disemboweled). This is one of the most horribly graphic films made and it is made even more disturbing by Riz Ortolani's score, and most prominently the frequently reoccurring love theme song. The footage is shot using the cinéma vérité technique, thus adding further realism and depth to the characters and environment, but this also increases the realism of the graphic violence, gang rape and cannibalism. This is like the works of David Cronenburg and Pier Paolo Pasolini, much less of a horror film and much more of an endurance test, how much can you watch before you cannot stomach it any further. A recommendation for only the most die-hard horror and gore fans, because this compared to Saw or Hostel is like comparing Care Bears with The Exorcist, others don't compare in the slightest.

• Kevin C

  
  This is one of the very few films that, after viewing, make me feel the most ultimate sensations of repulsion, hopelessness, and awfulness. This is vile and sickening, not even warranting the stamp of 'entertainment.' It promises intense violence that gorehounds would… More
  This is one of the very few films that, after viewing, make me feel the most ultimate sensations of repulsion, hopelessness, and awfulness. This is vile and sickening, not even warranting the stamp of 'entertainment.' It promises intense violence that gorehounds would crave, but it is portrayed in such an ugly form, that there is no style. It's pain and misery on film cells that, without any knowledge of the movie's origins, could easily pass for snuff. The movie has a stunning and incredibly eerie musical score, so that's something. But no. Screw this movie. And it's message. And it's existence. And it's purpose. There's gory over-the-top, sometimes hard-to-watch grindhouse horror. And then there's Cannibal Holocaust.

• Ariuza k

  
  "Disgusting and Vile, The most savage documentary every put onto film"... ----"LOOK AT THEM! These men are just like YOU!"---- Ruggero Deodato may be the most hated film director on the planet for his disturbing exploitation masterpiece that is Cannibal… More
  "Disgusting and Vile, The most savage documentary every put onto film"... ----"LOOK AT THEM! These men are just like YOU!"---- Ruggero Deodato may be the most hated film director on the planet for his disturbing exploitation masterpiece that is Cannibal Holocaust. It's truly one of the few films that lives up to the hype its marketing gives it. The posters scream, "The one that goes all the way!" How true. "Can a movie go too far?" I think in this instance, yes. Cannibal Holocaust is now and will always be the most disturbing motion picture ever made. The brutality in what it shows and the unbelievable disregard for emotion that the film makers portray is enough to make you shudder without actually seeing the movie. Some of the displays in the movie are hard to even believe a human being could think up such vile and putrid acts, and they're shown in raw, uncut form. Deodato doesn't try to stray away from the action or try to censor with camera tricks. He sticks the camera right into the mix and displays some of the most shocking and nauseating images ever put to film. Of course it's perverse, and of course it's putrid, objectionable, and all other vile things you can think of, but despite all this, it's still an incredible film; a true landmark in movie history. The movie begins with a TV program about the documentarians who go missing - Alan Yates, director; Faye Daniels, script girl and Alan's fiancé; and Mark Tomasso and Jack Anders, both cameramen. NYU anthropology professor Harold Monroe heads to the Amazon to lead the search "team," which consists of a hardened jungle guide and his young, talented assistant. They witness disturbing and shocking rituals by all three local tribes, the Yakumo, Yanomano, and Shamitari, which is the beginning of the moral stand Deodato takes. After gaining some trust with the Yanomanos, Monroe discovers that the documentarian troupe had been killed. Frustrated with the Yanomanos' hostility and brutality, Monroe trades the group's footage (possessed by the Yanomanos) for a tape recorder. Back in New York, he views the material and discovers who the real savages are. As the film starts out, we sympathize with these four who, for the sake of information, go into the jungle for research, only to be savagely mutilated by brutal primitives. However, we come to realize that the natives were the victims of civilized society by being tortured and exploited in incredibly grotesque and inhumane ways by the documentarians, which ultimately lead to their demise in an incredible, horrifying, and disturbing climax. The climax is all the more disturbing that Faye, the script girl, received the full blunt of retribution, when she was, in fact, seemingly innocent and took no participation in the evil (and actually tries to stop it). The trouble is that she's powerless to the three other men in her group. What Deodato's intentions were to include a character like Faye is unclear, other than maybe to heighten the disturbing factor of the film's climax. It pulls no punches. There is no chance for you to escape. Every time you think you're finally safe, you're slammed with more and more visceral content. It never stops. However, Deodato does make these horrifying and disturbing images into a cinematic masterpiece. What separates Cannibal Holocaust from other exploitative sleaze (other than being competently made and well acted) is the inclusion of subtle social commentary. Had this been a film that was grotesque for the sake of being grotesque (like Lenzi's later Cannibal Ferox, Also still an equal I like), it would be as reprehensible as many claim. However, the movie instead tests our ethics and our stomachs with some of the most realistically gruesome images ever portrayed on film. The message is simple: while we can think of outsiders and, in some cases, primitives as savages, our hate and discrimination can turn US into the savages (such as racist hate of minorities). The film makes us look into ourselves. We came from savagery, and savages we are. The pinnacle of this is during a scene where the film makers impale a young girl that they just raped, and are smiling at the disturbing result. This also reflects what incredibly visceral images we as humans can find as entertaining, and also suggests that the media stages their sensationalized footage (like the film makers in the movie). And if not, it condemns the media for focusing on the violence and exploitation of the news instead of trying for honest journalism. How is easily explained. The team's goal was to produce harrowing and nasty footage, all to make into a "documentary," and obviously, the more shocking, the more unbelievable, the more successful, and staged the footage to achieve this. The all too obvious irony is that this film is in itself morally reprehensible, and still has an incredible following and fan base and here in Korea! Though it is an incredible film, it's obviously not for everyone, especially the animal activist, as six animals are actually killed on screen, which is probably the most controversial aspect of the film, and the worst part of which is that the animal killings are actually unnecessary, and have no ground in the plot or morals of the rest of the movie. However, the fake human violence alone, whether it's simple gore or horrific rape, is enough to make it the most brutal movie experience ever. Other mainstream shockers such as Texas Chain Saw Massacre pale in comparison to the savagery of what is Cannibal Holocaust. Never have I felt so depressed after viewing a film, which is amplified by Riz Ortolani's beautiful, flowing melody that shocks and disturbs at times by playing during the most disturbing parts of the movie. If you are able to stomach the film enough to see it, hopefully you'll be able to look past the violence, disgusting material, cruel animal killings, and the outright evil this film depicts and see the true nature of a political statement. The downfall of the cannibal genre, Cannibal Holocaust truly stands in a league of its own.

• Coxxie M

  
  what the fuck ever, dude.

• David L

  
  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… More
  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!

• Cassandra M

  
  Ruggero Deodato may be the most hated film director on the planet for his disturbing exploitation masterpiece that is Cannibal Holocaust. It's truly one of the few films that lives up to the hype its marketing gives it. The posters scream, "The one that goes all the… More
  Ruggero Deodato may be the most hated film director on the planet for his disturbing exploitation masterpiece that is Cannibal Holocaust. It's truly one of the few films that lives up to the hype its marketing gives it. The posters scream, "The one that goes all the way!" How true. "Can a movie go too far?" I think in this instance, yes. Cannibal Holocaust is now and will always be the most disturbing motion picture ever made. The brutality in what it shows and the unbelievable disregard for emotion that the film makers portray is enough to make you shudder without actually seeing the movie. Some of the displays in the movie are hard to even believe a human being could think up such vile and putrid acts, and they're shown in raw, uncut form. Deodato doesn't try to stray away from the action or try to censor with camera tricks. He sticks the camera right into the mix and displays some of the most shocking and nauseating images ever put to film. Of course it's perverse, and of course it's putrid, objectionable, and all other vile things you can think of, but despite all this, it's still an incredible film; a true landmark in movie history. The movie begins with a TV program about the documentarians who go missing - Alan Yates, director; Faye Daniels, script girl and Alan's fiancé; and Mark Tomasso and Jack Anders, both cameramen. NYU anthropology professor Harold Monroe heads to the Amazon to lead the search "team," which consists of a hardened jungle guide and his young, talented assistant. They witness disturbing and shocking rituals by all three local tribes, the Yakumo, Yanomano, and Shamitari, which is the beginning of the moral stand Deodato takes. After gaining some trust with the Yanomanos, Monroe discovers that the documentarian troupe had been killed. Frustrated with the Yanomanos' hostility and brutality, Monroe trades the group's footage (possessed by the Yanomanos) for a tape recorder. Back in New York, he views the material and discovers who the real savages are. As the film starts out, we sympathize with these four who, for the sake of information, go into the jungle for research, only to be savagely mutilated by brutal primitives. However, we come to realize that the natives were the victims of civilized society by being tortured and exploited in incredibly grotesque and inhumane ways by the documentarians, which ultimately lead to their demise in an incredible, horrifying, and disturbing climax. The climax is all the more disturbing that Faye, the script girl, received the full blunt of retribution, when she was, in fact, seemingly innocent and took no participation in the evil (and actually tries to stop it). The trouble is that she's powerless to the three other men in her group. What Deodato's intentions were to include a character like Faye is unclear, other than maybe to heighten the disturbing factor of the film's climax. It pulls no punches. There is no chance for you to escape. Every time you think you're finally safe, you're slammed with more and more visceral content. It never stops. However, Deodato does make these horrifying and disturbing images into a cinematic masterpiece. What separates Cannibal Holocaust from other exploitative sleaze (other than being competently made and well acted) is the inclusion of subtle social commentary. Had this been a film that was grotesque for the sake of being grotesque (like Lenzi's later Cannibal Ferox), it would be as reprehensible as many claim. However, the movie instead tests our ethics and our stomachs with some of the most realistically gruesome images ever portrayed on film. The message is simple: while we can think of outsiders and, in some cases, primitives as savages, our hate and discrimination can turn US into the savages (such as racist hate of minorities). The film makes us look into ourselves. We came from savagery, and savages we are. The pinnacle of this is during a scene where the film makers impale a young girl that they just raped, and are smiling at the disturbing result. This also reflects what incredibly visceral images we as humans can find as entertaining, and also suggests that the media stages their sensationalized footage (like the film makers in the movie). And if not, it condemns the media for focusing on the violence and exploitation of the news instead of trying for honest journalism. How is easily explained. The team's goal was to produce harrowing and nasty footage, all to make into a "documentary," and obviously, the more shocking, the more unbelievable, the more successful, and staged the footage to achieve this. The all too obvious irony is that this film is in itself morally reprehensible, and still has an incredible following and fan base. Though it is an incredible film, it's obviously not for everyone, especially the animal activist, as six animals are actually killed on screen, which is probably the most controversial aspect of the film, and the worst part of which is that the animal killings are actually unnecessary, and have no ground in the plot or morals of the rest of the movie. However, the fake human violence alone, whether it's simple gore or horrific rape, is enough to make it the most brutal movie experience ever. Other mainstream shockers such as Texas Chain Saw Massacre pale in comparison to the savagery of what is Cannibal Holocaust. Never have I felt so depressed after viewing a film, which is amplified by Riz Ortolani's beautiful, flowing melody that shocks and disturbs at times by playing during the most disturbing parts of the movie. If you are able to stomach the film enough to see it, hopefully you'll be able to look past the violence, disgusting material, cruel animal killings, and the outright evil this film depicts and see the true nature of a political statement. The downfall of the cannibal genre, Cannibal Holocaust truly stands in a league of its own.

• Unknown H

  
  This was another one of those "cult" movies that always appeared on lists of interest. With very little plot thick enough to warrant a mention this movie does exactly what you will think it will judging by the wonderfully descriptive title. It was clearly made to shock and… More
  This was another one of those "cult" movies that always appeared on lists of interest. With very little plot thick enough to warrant a mention this movie does exactly what you will think it will judging by the wonderfully descriptive title. It was clearly made to shock and sicken but at times I was so lost in the story line that I did not really get the full impact of the more grusome scenes because I did not know why they were happening! For someone looking for cheap thrills or a reason to make your girlfriend recoil into your arms, this is one for you. Someone looking for all of that with some sort of intellectual stimulation may need to look further.

• Jeff "

  
  Shocking, Disturbing, grisly, inhuman, cruel. These are some of the few words that first come to mind when I think of Cannibal Holocaust, Director Ruggero Deodato's savage masterpiece of Horror Exploitation. Cannibal Holocaust is a perfect example of a film that lives up to… More
  Shocking, Disturbing, grisly, inhuman, cruel. These are some of the few words that first come to mind when I think of Cannibal Holocaust, Director Ruggero Deodato's savage masterpiece of Horror Exploitation. Cannibal Holocaust is a perfect example of a film that lives up to it's reputation. Everything you've heard about this film is true. The film made me feel uneasy with the animal killing scenes, the totally fucked adultry punishment ritual, the native girl rape scene and other disturbing scenes. I've seen plenty of gory, extreme Horror films, but Cannibal Holocaust is a prime example of THE most extreme Horror film ever made. One of the reasons that Cannibal Holocaust works so well to disturb the viewer watching the film is the realism of some of the scenes, and I'm referring to the animal killing scenes. Just with that in mind, that will surely shock and disturb you even more. One thing that Cannibal Holocaust has going for it, is that it's an Exploitation Horror film made by Italians, and Italian Horror unlike Hollywood horror pushes the envelope and crosses the line, in the case of this film; it steps over the line, and goes further still. Cannibal Holocaust seeks to shock the viewer, and it most certainly does. The inhuman actions of the documentary crew is just as shocking as the acts of the tribe. Either way, by the savage climax of this depraved masterwork; you will definitely feel uneasy, and disturbed. Cannibal Holocaust is definitely not for the weak of heart. Sergio Leone himself proclaimed this to be a masterpiece, but that it would get the director in trouble. If you're looking for the sickest, most depraved film ever made, then this is it. Just remember that it's only a film. This film is worst than The Last House On The Left. A masterwork of shock cinema, Cannibal Holocaust is a film that will definitely make you feel uneasy due to it's content. Even the fake scenes or violence seem pretty realistic. Cannibal Holocaust is Exploitation cinema at it's shocking, most disturbing best.

• Keiko A

  
  Cannibal holocaust is easily the most disturbing movie I have ever seen in my life but I really did enjoy it for a film like this. So last year I saw this in the cinemas when they re-realest it for its 30th anniversary and the movie was released into out cinemas Uncut (Minus these… More
  Cannibal holocaust is easily the most disturbing movie I have ever seen in my life but I really did enjoy it for a film like this. So last year I saw this in the cinemas when they re-realest it for its 30th anniversary and the movie was released into out cinemas Uncut (Minus these animal murders). The movie is really disgusting I never planed on doing a review because I thought you would think I am wired seeing it. So here is the story. The movie has two story lines I will only do the first. 5 film makers and there guide fail to report back in to the town after 1 month they send a team into look for them along the way they find traces of them along with the Natives telling them about white men that terrorized them. So they find there dead remains along with the footage and take it back to New York city to be analyzed to see they shot the most disturbing and graphic things you have ever seen. So I really loved the music it was so incredible for a movie like this and the soundtrack easily goes as one of my favorites ever. The acting was great minus some dubbing when I saw this the natives were Dubbed in Japanese for some reason? The film has some really amazing shots of the Amazon along with most of the settings. The thing I really hated about this film was because of how violent it is. There is really only one part that got to me and it was that scene with the girl impaled on a stick it freaked me out. So I did like this movie but the violence is the thing I hated I don?t think I will watch it again or another like it this was enough but I do say watch it if you dare. Keiko?s Score 84-100

• Carlos M

  
  The real animal killing is revolting, atrocious, and I hate Ruggero Deodato and his film for that. Even so, I have to admit that this polemical extreme horror B-movie is powerful enough in delivering its message about men going far beyond the grotesque for insane sensationalism.

• Daniel J D

  
  Disturbing. Most disturbing. Movie I've ever seen. I never want to watch it again.

• Wahida K

  
  It took me 3 weeks to eat meat again.

• Conner R

  
  Completely original and horrible. This strikes you at the brain and makes you question a lot about society. Who is more evil: The savage who kills to eat or the civilized man who kills the savage? The music is what completely does it for me when watching the film. It is so… More
  Completely original and horrible. This strikes you at the brain and makes you question a lot about society. Who is more evil: The savage who kills to eat or the civilized man who kills the savage? The music is what completely does it for me when watching the film. It is so breathtakingly painful to listen to. No, it might not be the most graphic movie ever filmed but I don't think it intended to be. The main purpose of this movie was to truly scare you. The thing is, it's not too far off from reality. I think when you look at films like this and Salo, they are a reminder of how fucked up we as humanity can be. How far we are able to go in order to reach a certain pleasure.

• Anthony L

  
  This film is terribly misunderstood. It's actually a culture piece focusing on contrasts within different societies. It also contradicts itself somewhat as we see the 'Sensationalists/Exploiters' being punished for their acts, albeit within a sensationalist/Exploitation… More
  This film is terribly misunderstood. It's actually a culture piece focusing on contrasts within different societies. It also contradicts itself somewhat as we see the 'Sensationalists/Exploiters' being punished for their acts, albeit within a sensationalist/Exploitation film. It's the voice of reason and understanding that survives and actually befriends the cannibals in the end which is a remarkably likeable end to a horrific and shocking film. In my opinion, Cannibal Holocaust is probably the best horror film ever made. It's truly unique, utterly terrifying (without being ridiculous) and rather intelligent. Recommended for those with strong stomachs!

• Ken S

  
  Disgusting, amazing, sickening and poignant

• _kelly .

  
  Horror Not to Miss List Commentary:<br/>I recommend you obtain the fully-featured DVD version of this, as many of the purposefully unanswerable questions about production that the movie raises are all answered in a documentary featurette and an "only when relevant"… More
  Horror Not to Miss List Commentary:<br/>I recommend you obtain the fully-featured DVD version of this, as many of the purposefully unanswerable questions about production that the movie raises are all answered in a documentary featurette and an "only when relevant" commentary from director Deodato and the movie's main protagonist. This film is infamous because it sparked legal action regarding the use of animals in film and the director Deodato was arrested under suspicion of murdering his actors (he didn't kill any people) and the film was banned in virtually every country, and had the unconfirmed reputation of being "the most banned movie in history".<br/>Besides all that great hoop-la and film history, Cannibal Holocaust has got a great premise and the tactic of showing "found documentary footage" that is consuming the horror genre now, though 'The Blair Witch Project' is usually credited in mainstream sources with this innovation. Some extremely brutal scenes that leave no question in the viewer's mind as to why audiences thought all or most of the violence was real.<br/><br/>"So Fucked Up" highlight: the adultery punishment ritual

• A.D. V

  
  Killing people in all kind of gruesome ways is fine but I draw the line at killing animals for real thank you. With that said my rating is for the "animal-free" version on DVD.

• Pierluigi P

  
  One of the well known examples of pseudo-snuff. a twisted gory italian film inside the amazon jungle. vicious, sick, eerie.

• Christopher M

  
  It's impossible to give an accurate rating of this type of film, really. It is what it is. Definitely the most overtly (and at times, unnecessarily) violent film I've ever seen, and one could draw some comment of modern life and man's inhumanity to man from this - but… More
  It's impossible to give an accurate rating of this type of film, really. It is what it is. Definitely the most overtly (and at times, unnecessarily) violent film I've ever seen, and one could draw some comment of modern life and man's inhumanity to man from this - but it was done in a very obvious, shove down your throat type of way. Honestly, the human violence wasn't even the worst part. It was sick and extreme, but didn't bother me too much. I saw the uncut version, which includes several acts of animal cruelty which are shown vividly, and were actually performed during filming (real animals really being killed unnecessarily). These scenes added nothing to the rest of the film and just knowing it was actually happening was the most disturbing part of watching this. But hey, at least, now when someone asks "Hey, have you ever seen this crazy movie, Cannibal Holocaust?", I can say, Yep! That was really the only reason I watched it, just to have gone through the experience, not for the merit of the film, because there really isn't much merit to it.

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