Cannibal Ferox

Cannibal Ferox is a 1981 horror film directed by Umberto Lenzi, which gained infamy due to the extreme violence and gore portrayed on screen during its release. The film centers around three American tourists- Gloria (Lorraine De Selle), Rudy (Danilo Mattei), and Pat (Zora Kerova)- who venture into the remote Amazon to learn about cannibal tribes. Unbeknownst to them, they have landed in the middle of a fierce drug war, and soon find themselves hunted by cannibalistic natives, drug lords, and a sadistic animal poacher, Mike Logan (Giovanni Lombardo Radice).

The film starts off with a warning message from the director himself, stating that the violence depicted in the movie is "real and unrelenting" and that none of the animals were harmed in the making of the film. The story follows a familiar formula of exploring the unknown and becoming the prey, as we track the group's journey downriver into the Amazon jungle in search of adventure. At first, things seem to be going well, as they meet several helpful locals who guide them through their journey. However, things take a turn for the worse when they stumble upon a drug operation.

The torture scenes in Cannibal Ferox are particularly famous, and they feature a wide variety of different horrifying methods of torture. The film also portrays the natives' cannibalistic tendencies in horrific detail. The movie's marketing famously claimed that it would be more violent than other jungle cannibal films of the time, especially Cannibal Holocaust, which aimed to be a critical commentary on sensationalist media.

One of the primary sources of conflict in the movie is the character of Mike Logan. Though he initially appears to be a friend to the tourists, it soon becomes apparent that Mike is an evil and sadistic poacher who kills animals for fun. Mike's character functions as a continuation of Lenzi's interest in animal cruelty and torture, with several scenes featuring him attacking animals, including a monkey and a giant anaconda.

Cannibal Ferox is a polarizing film, with many critics criticizing it for its intense gore, while at the same time, some consider it a classic within the horror genre. Regardless of whether one likes the film or not, it's hard to deny that Cannibal Ferox is an impressive film that stimulates the senses in every way imaginable. The special effects are incredibly well done, with incredible makeup and convincing violence.

Despite the violence and gore, the film has some artistic and technical strengths that are often overlooked. The film's cinematography captures the beauty of the Amazon rainforest, juxtaposing it with the brutal violence of the human inhabitants. The soundtrack is just as impressive, with Riz Ortolani creating an unyielding and ominous score that complements the film's suspenseful and terrifying moments.

Cannibal Ferox is not for the faint-hearted, and those who are easily squeamish should stay away. Its depiction of violence, torture, and cannibalism remains controversial even today. Overall, Cannibal Ferox is a cult classic horror film that is undoubtedly memorable, despite its notorious reputation. Anyone who appreciates boundary-pushing horror films should make a point to check out this movie.