Cannibal Holocaust

Banned and heavily censored throughout the world, here is a film that surpasses its reputation as a shotgun blast to the senses. Cannibal Holocaust presents the 'found footage' of four documentary filmmakers who experience brutal death at the hands of a savage South American tribe of flesh-eaters. The footage is so intense so graphic and so unflinching in its realism that the director and producer of Cannibal Holocaust were arrested on its original release and the film was seized.

Widely acknowledged as the uncredited inspiration for 'THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT', Cannibal Holocaust is essential to every video store's retail and rental selection. This definitive version of Deodato's masterwork ranks with the most highly anticipated and sourght after DVD releases in the history of the medium. Not for the weak of stomach, the film's horrifying power cannot be denied.

Be forwarned: This is the one that goes ALL THE WAY!

Spotlight Reviews
I suspect many of the negative reviews are a tad hypocritical. (2008-12-16)
Customer Review : 3
My title is a reference to much of the outrage over the animal killing scenes. Many of the negative reviews of Cannibal Holocaust say things like "anyone who likes this film is SICK!" Well, anyone saying this who eats meat is a bit of a hypocrite.

It's true, the scenes of animals being killed were authentic, but here's a very important detail that people leave out: all of the animals killed were then given to native tribal people (many of whom acted as extras in the film). These native tribal people cooked and ate the animals.

This film shows the killing of the animals in all its horror and ugliness. And, make no mistake, it IS both horrifying and ugly. But the killing of these animals provided a food source for people; how is this morally any different from what goes on in slaughterhouses across the world every day? I have a sneaking suspicion that many of the people expressing such outrage over these animal scenes aren't vegetarians. The meat you and I eat is killed, often in just as brutal a manner as what is portrayed in this movie. Is the killing of animals acceptable only if we don't look at it?

I have no beef (pardon the pun) with people who dislike Cannibal Holocaust because they are uncomfortable looking at the scenes of animals dying, and I'd agree that anyone who enjoys watching the animals being killed has something dreadfully wrong with them. But to equate anyone who appreciates the film on its own merits with those sick individuals is deeply unfair.

As for my review of the film as a whole, I come down somewhere in the middle. It's quite thought-provoking in places (not to mention its propensity to shock), but the pacing is extremely uneven, and it becomes quite boring at times. The film is fairly effective in making a point about what we consider to be "civilized society", but I feel that other movies have made a similar point more effectively (Wes Craven's 1977 classic The Hills Have Eyes comes to mind). Ultimately, I wish I could give this movie 3.5 stars, as 3 seems a bit low and 4 seems a bit high. Since that's not an option, I'll err on the side of caution. I give the movie a recommendation, if not an overly-enthusiastic one. Just know what you're getting yourself into.

It's like a little peice of heaven (2008-12-12)
Customer Review : 5
What can one say about this film? It is the most politically incorrect thing in the world. PETA cringes, mothers hide their children, I remember watching this on late night TV years ago...now we are lucky to have it available on DVD. Today controversial films are made by left wing nut bags telling the public that Conservatives are what is wrong with the world...I got a news flash for Micheal Moore check this movie out chunky... the shock value will drop a few pounds off ya!

Weak, boring and pathetic (2008-11-19)
Customer Review : 1
If you want ot be disgusted, shocked and offended then watch this film. Ifyour a hardcore horror fan, skip it. Animal cruelty and sexual violence isnt scary its a weak attempt at shock value. The very end of this movie was cool because the antagonistic film crew making the so-called "documentary" get theirs. The FX are suspect althought the end did get a bit intesne. The music was wierd and unimpressive. The scariest part of this movie was the "70s Bush" *GAG* Dont waste your money, its over hyped. If you must see it try to spend the least amount of money possible. Its laughable that this film was banned in several countries.

Umm... Ok.... (2008-11-18)
Customer Review : 2
Ummm. Ok.

Not the greatest and not the goriest thing I'd ever seen. For those who tout that this movie isn't something for the faint at heart or stomach, I can say that you are probably just lactose intolerant. Maybe I have become descensitized by viewing real crime scene video and pictures on the web, but even if I hadn't, there are still horror flicks out there that can rival this in a heartbeat (effects wise).

Yes, for its time, it was ingenious. It was right up there in the nitty gritty of realism. It still holds that but the acting was terrible and not believable. That was my tip-off for a hokey gore fest. But to me, it really wasn't a gore fest at all. The only WTF? moments I had were the animal killings (which were real) and the rape of a villager by the "film crew".

One thing I am anal about is when I see movies portraying certain types of animals as they are most certainly not (anachronisms?). When the guide was bitten by a snake in his boot, anyone who has a most basic understanding of reptiles knows a Red-Tailed Boa Constrictor on sight. But yet, they go on and kill the juvi snake and amputate his leg.

The next thing is the raping of a captured woman. Faye isn't pissed off that the rest of the crew are raping hthe woman, but she is more concerned that they might not have enough film left for the project!?!?! She only gets pissed off when her boyfriend (the film director) gets in on the action? Personally, she deserved what came to her.

One thing this film tells us is that you reap what you sow.

Cannibal Holocaust: From a fan's perspective. (2008-11-17)
Customer Review : 5
This review is from a fan's perspective of the film. There are tons of plot summaries out there, and to go over it again would waste you (the reader's time) on whether or not to see this exploitation masterpiece.

The first time I saw this movie was when I was in eighth grade. Being young, and interested in the "unseen" side of horror I traveled to a comic convention where my friends and I were recommended this, and from that night on this film has stayed with me.

In the years since I've first seen this film my opinion of it has changed. Then I viewed it as a graphic film to only offer violence as a way to shock it's audience, which it does flawlessly. Now I view it as a film that looks at how modern media exploits the horrors of our world. We as a society still thrive off of our violent news, movies, music, and numerous other sources of media to allow ourselves the sensation of the macabre. I feel that this film shows that, and though while it is grotesque and disturbing in it's method it's also effective. Yes this film does contain numerous (and deplorable) acts of animal cruelty, in my opinion they are done to emphasis the horror of the media in which this tale is presented.

Due to this film's increasing cult status (in large thanks to the amazing Grindhouse DVD's over the past few years) this film is being sought after by younger and younger audiences. Even though I myself saw this at a younger age, I do not suggest that for everyone as this is a brutal film and to be viewed only by those who can handle the content.

With all of that being said, I understand that this film will not be for everyone, even those who enjoy the horror genre. This is not a positive film, and you wouldn't walk away from it with a smile, but maybe you'd look at yourself and find out why you enjoy these films. It very well might be that you're deranged, but if you're anything like myself then the reason you watch films such as Cannibal Holocaust is to look at the horrors of the world. Because even in the darkest depths of the human psyche, there is still some beauty to behold.