Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

AKA: Ruggero Deodato’s Cannibal Holocaust
Year: 1980
Directed by: Ruggero Deodato
Starring: Robert Kerman (Prof. Monroe), Gabriel Yorke (Alan), Francesca Ciardi (Faye), Luca Giorgio Barbareschi (Mark), Perry Pirkanen (Jack)
Country: Italy, European Cinema
Language: English
Runtime: 01:36:02
Genres: Cannibalism, Violence against Men, Rape-Sexual-Violence against Women, Gore-Gruesome-Splatter, Torture, Violence Against-Relationships with Animals

Plot – Spoilers:
A crew of four cocky documentary makers who routinely push the boundaries of journalistic ethics head deep into the Amazonian rain forests to film undiscovered cannibal tribes. We pick up from them having gone missing, and so an anthropologist, Prof. Monroe is commissioned by the broadcasting corporation that financed the project, to follow the missing crew’s trail and uncover what came of them.

Monroe has a couple of guides to help him and they begin by making contact with the Yacumo tribe who are relatively benign compared to the fierce and cannibalistic Swamp People and Tree People whom Monroe believes might be responsible for the crew’s unknown fate.

As we follow the mission, we’re lavished with copious scenes of animal torture and brutal sexual violence as Monroe’s rescue team uncovers darker aspects about the missing filmmakers and the cannibal tribes.

Cannibal Holocaust pretty much pioneered the concept of found-footage in films and is a true masterpiece by any standard with great music, though its shock-value has often detracted from this truth.

Director Ruggero Deodato was actually arrested in Italy soon after Cannibal Holocaust’s release following claims that he had made a snuff movie. One of the major issues related to the infamous impalement scene and allegations that actors had been killed on location.