Mountain of the Cannibal God (La montagna del dio cannibale) (Primitive Desires) (Slave of the Cannibal God) (1978)

29% of users liked it
(757 ratings)

Susan Stevenson (Ursula Andress) and her brother, Arthur (Antonio Marsina), travel to New Guinea in the hopes of finding her husband, who has gone missing for three months. The pair encounter anthropologist Dr. Edward Foster (Stacy Keach), who agrees to lead a jungle expedition in search of the… More Susan Stevenson (Ursula Andress) and her brother, Arthur (Antonio Marsina), travel to New Guinea in the hopes of finding her husband, who has gone missing for three months. The pair encounter anthropologist Dr. Edward Foster (Stacy Keach), who agrees to lead a jungle expedition in search of the missing man. As mantraps and other jungle dangers slowly whittle away the search party, Foster becomes convinced that Susan's husband is somewhere on the tiny coastal island of Roka, home to the sacred island of Ra Ra Me. En route to the mountain, the party is captured by the Puka, a Stone Age tribe long considered extinct. Foster reveals that the tribe is cannibalistic, having been captured and forced to consume human flesh years before. This gruesome news, however, pales before Susan's discovery of her husband's fate -- a fate that will surely befall the entire party if they are unable to escape. ~ Paul Gaita, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Sergio Martino
Genres: Action & Adventure, Horror, Art House & International

On DVD: Nov 13, 2007

Critic Reviews

Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com
Mastication, masturbation, bestiality and castration. Yep, it's just another day in the professional life of 70s superstar auteur-en-Italiano, Sergio Martino.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Mountain of the Cannibal God is yet another horror shock fest dealing with cannibals. Filmed at the height of popularity of cannibal films, this exploitation horror shocker is along with Cannibal Holocaust one of the most depraved films of the genre. Mountain of the Cannibal God is a… More
Mountain of the Cannibal God is yet another horror shock fest dealing with cannibals. Filmed at the height of popularity of cannibal films, this exploitation horror shocker is along with Cannibal Holocaust one of the most depraved films of the genre. Mountain of the Cannibal God is a good film, but it have done without the graphic sexual content. The film was effective and horrifying enough without those elements thrown in. Mountain of the Cannibal God will appeal to fans of Italian exploitation cinema, as this film is one of the prime examples of the genre. The cast are decent at best in their parts, there's never anything really great going on, on-screen, however this still is an entertaining film. The plot is quite interesting, and the film manages to be a decent entry in the Cannibal genre. However like I said, the film could have been trimmed slightly and the graphic sex toned a bit, as whole, I felt it didn't add anything to the film, and it kind of cheapened the terrifying experience. Otherwise the film would have had a higher rating in my book. For me it takes a lot to be shocked, and well the scenes of depraved sex acts actually were like wtf? I can understand that these elements are essential and a must for a cannibal film, but man this was really messed up. Oh well, overall aside from that, I enjoyed the film, and we get to see Ursula Andress naked, so it's not too bad. Mountain of the Cannibal God is yet another prime example of a classic Italian exploitation film. The film is shocking in its depravity, but I guess that's what makes these films so unique, their ability to push the boundaries of good taste. If that's the case, then this film most certainly does that very well.
Robert C

A new addition to my "so bad, it's good" list. We saw the uncut "European version", I recomend you do the same. If you can get past the horribly gratuitous animal torture (which is apparently of the "set-up by the crew" and not "caught in… More
A new addition to my "so bad, it's good" list. We saw the uncut "European version", I recomend you do the same. If you can get past the horribly gratuitous animal torture (which is apparently of the "set-up by the crew" and not "caught in the act" variety) and the lack of continuity (both visually and story wise) - this film is exactly what you would expect it to be, A campy jungle romp with Ursula Andress leading us from one exquisitly lit, cleavagefull (vaseline drenched lense) shot after another. Through jungles, on the beach, in the sea, in a river, climbing up waterfalls and mountains - all in beige (knee high) high heeled leather boots. While there really aren't many surprises story wise...the amount of continuity gaffes, ridiculous (and entirely too long) shots of jungle animals, nudity and simulated sex is surprising and FUN! It's worth sitting through the first hour and a half, just to watch the final scenes that take place in "the mountain of the Cannibal God".
Cassandra M

I decided to buy the uncut and digitally remastered version of 'Mountain of the Cannibal God' after having read some online reviews, (which were pretty mixed), and after having watched the trailer for the film on some of the other Vipco Screamtime Collection DVDs. The… More
I decided to buy the uncut and digitally remastered version of 'Mountain of the Cannibal God' after having read some online reviews, (which were pretty mixed), and after having watched the trailer for the film on some of the other Vipco Screamtime Collection DVDs. The Horror film genre is one that particularly interests me, as does the sub-genre of Cannibalism and films that have been previously banned, and I feel that this film delivers all that can be expected of it. There are interesting plot twists and developments, (although the story is very straight-forward), the dialogue is simple but effective and well executed for a film of this genre, it has the former Bond girl Ursula Andress 'in all her beautiful glory', it has an intriguing musical score, lashings of violence and gore that are shot in a fairly realistic fashion, and even an annoying cannibal dwarf! What more could you possibly ask for? Although perhaps at not quite the same level of entertainment and cinematic quality of a film like 'Cannibal Holocaust', which is far more tense and shocking, this is nevertheless an extremely highly under-rated and enjoyable film that is more than well worth a look if you are interested in this type of genre. However, if you do not like this type of film, then it certainly isn't a film for you - just leave us enthusiasts to enjoy and appreciate it in our own company. The DVD sleeve hails it as 'one of the best cannibal films you'll ever see' - and I must say that I wholeheartedly (excuse the pun) agree. Go watch it now!
Lee ?

A more professional and adventure based Cannibal movie compared to the likes of Ferox and Holocaust, but this one still contains some animal brutality and gross-out cannibal mutilation. I really enjoyed it, a thoroughly entertaining and fun movie.
Curtis L

Your basic jungle cannibal package here. Lots of gross stuff being eaten left and right, and I love the constant 5 minute scenes of animals killing each other. My favorite part was when the jerk brother lets the guide die, and then immeadetly afterwards there is a happy buddy-like… More
Your basic jungle cannibal package here. Lots of gross stuff being eaten left and right, and I love the constant 5 minute scenes of animals killing each other. My favorite part was when the jerk brother lets the guide die, and then immeadetly afterwards there is a happy buddy-like montage of the rest of the crew traversing the jungle. It's also funny to me that at the beggining of the film, the Pooka are super hard core, and by the end they're getting their butts kicked left and right by the escapees. Final conclusions? It was boring in parts, but it kept my attention. Who can turn away from jungle adventures?
moon r

deep in the jungles...you practically know the whole story with simply that beginning, eh? and this one does not disappoint. plenty of dense jungle canopies, yer animals eating animals here, yer tribal strongmen and tribal hussies, and then there's the whites, always on the… More
deep in the jungles...you practically know the whole story with simply that beginning, eh? and this one does not disappoint. plenty of dense jungle canopies, yer animals eating animals here, yer tribal strongmen and tribal hussies, and then there's the whites, always on the lookout for some get rich quick exploitation (never happens). ursula andress (or should that be "undress")(just joking)(no i'm not) leads the excursion to points unknown and then there's those cannibals...out there...deep in the jungles. ouchy fun.
Christopher B

Another item in the long, long list of why Stacey Keach is friggin' awesome. He was in a Italian cannibal flick! Can Nicholsan, Brando, Deniro or Pacino say that? I think not. And oh what a effed up flick this is. Not only does it change the hero half way through, this movie… More
Another item in the long, long list of why Stacey Keach is friggin' awesome. He was in a Italian cannibal flick! Can Nicholsan, Brando, Deniro or Pacino say that? I think not. And oh what a effed up flick this is. Not only does it change the hero half way through, this movie moves between what seems to be a Boy's Adventure, to gruesome animal killings, graphic gore (CU of severed penises and all!), hardcore masturbation footage, bestiality and so much more. Though it's seldom spoke of when discussing the cannibal genre, just the jaw dropping bizarreness of this one should have it be highly regarded. I can't believe it's taken me until I'm almost 40 to see this nutty film.