Director: Ruggero Deodato
Writer: Gianfranco Clerici
Cast: Robert Kerman, Francesca Ciardi, Perry Pirkanen, and Carl Gabriel Yorke
Rated: X (original)/Unrated (extreme graphic violence)
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A rare film that lives up to its reputation

Cannibal Holocaust is one of those films whose notorious reputation precedes it. This is a film I’ve heard of long ago but finally got around to watching. The 1980 exploitation shockfest follows two main stories: that of a professor recovering lost footage from a missing documentary crew, and another where we view the footage shot by the crew. The combination is surprisingly effective and equally chilling.

Dr. Harold Monroe (Robert Kerman) is a New York University professor sent to the Amazon to rescue a missing documentary party. Along with a pair of guides, they discover the local, and warring, cannibal tribes: the Ya?nomamö and the Shamatari while also learning of the filmmakers’ deaths. After much observation of the tribal rituals and eventually earning a sense of trust from the natives, Dr. Monroe recovers the lost film canisters and returns to New York.

Back in the states, a television company wants to broadcast the documentary footage and asks Dr. Monroe to host the special. What follows is a series of clips from the footage that progressively gets worse. Monroe begins to be disgusted not just by the footage, but by the television company and their desires to show the footage to the public. Monroe (and likely the viewer) question the exploitation and sensationalizing of violence. Ironically, the film we are watching slowly begins to exemplify just that.

While much of the film may be thrown behind a shocking and disturbing exploitative horror flick, it is at times so much more. The film, which has been heavily cut and even banned on occasions throughout its history, contains strong elements of social commentary delivered in a way not meant to entertain. While many scenes are hard to get through, the film forces the viewer to explore her own view of society and decency (either in response to what we’re seeing, or possibly when thinking about the minds of the filmmakers).

Then there is that detail which is perhaps the film’s most controversial and denounced: the animal cruelty. While I personally viewed the film in its animal cruelty-free version (courtesy of Grindhouse Releasing), the movie did feature the real-life killings of seven animals. I hold the belief that no person or animal should be harmed for the sake of entertainment. Others can debate on that topic, but the fact remains that this is an aspect of the film even Deodato himself regrets. I only mention this side of the film because I feel it shows how dark Deodato wanted to go, so much so that perhaps he fell victim to the exact attitude that the film criticizes.

Cinematically speaking, the film has some decent qualities. The traditional camera shots are smooth and those of the ‘footage’ are rough, raw and do entice a feeling of reality. Throw in the slow, emotional score composed by Riz Ortolani and film really works relentlessly against one’s senses. Cannibal Holocaust does have many faults when it comes to the acting, which is laughable the majority of the time. Only during the stomach-turning and intense scenes does the acting stand out.

I’ve read many reviews and takes on the film. I agree with several points of both appreciators and detractors of the movie. Viewing the film through a strictly objective lens (or attempting to do so as much as possible), the film is nicely composed and the social messages the film conveys are strong. Once you begin analyzing the details however, one could begin finding more and more things to dislike about it. That in itself is saying something; that the film causes sensory and emotional responses. In that regard, the film is a great success.

Movies are increasingly pushing the envelope, so it’s rare, at least for myself, that a film can really make me uneasy. A modern equivalent could be Irreversible. These types of films, while potentially hypocritical in their own resolve, are not for everyone and should be approached with caution. Regardless of your final opinion however, they will at least give you something to think about which says something, especially considering the countless pieces of meaningless, recycled garbage that are put on the big screens today.