(Reviewed by Snake-666) - One of the best Italian cannibal films.  Director Umberto Lenzi who has been credited as starting the cannibal sub-genre with ‘Deep River Savages' (1972) effectively ended it with this nauseating and disturbing film. Three friends (Lorraine De Selle, Bryan Redford and Zora Kerowa) head off to the jungles of South America as one of them attempts to prove for a college dissertation that cannibalism as an organised practice in modern society does not exist. While in the jungles they conveniently come across Mike Logan (Giovanni Lombardo Radice credited as John Morghen) and his friend Joe (Walter Lloyd), a pair of drug dealers from New York who have been forced to flea NYC. Mike informs the three college students that he and his friend were savagely attacked by cannibals who killed a third member of his party in a horrific way. However, the truth is even more terrifying.

Bearing more than a passing resemblance to the theme of Ruggero Deodato's ‘Cannibal Holocaust' (1979) this movie is yet another vile and revolting addition to the cannibal sub-genre which features the gory special effects wizardry of Gianetto De Rosi (who went on to provide make-up and special effects for movies such as ‘The Last Emperor' (1987) and Rambo III (1988)) and more than it's fair share of now obligatory live animal slaughter. Umberto Lenzi succeeds in creating an air of cruelty that is unsurpassed by any other cannibal film, including ‘Cannibal Holocaust'. In this depraved gore-fest the viewer is `treated' to multiple castrations, beatings, rapes, brain eating and the now infamous meathook scene. Most of these sickening acts are cut from the UK release.

‘Cannibal Ferox' is a film that contains the same message as ‘Cannibal Holocaust' but rather than have the message as a main part of the film it is obscured by the barbarity that surrounds it and is only touched upon on brief occasions. ‘Cannibal Ferox' comes across far more as exploitation filmmaking than ‘Cannibal Holocaust' and is infinitely more repugnant. Unfortunately the film is harmed by some unnecessary scenes in New York featuring a tragic 70's disco soundtrack. Luckily these scenes are brief (though the disco music features a lot) and the scenes in the jungle are given a dark and horrific atmosphere due to some good direction from Lenzi, a half decent screenplay (something that is missing from many similar films) and some very haunting and sinister music. The acting, on the other hand, is pretty poor but good enough to immerse the viewer in this revolting and unsettling movie. ‘Cannibal Ferox' also features a brief appearance from Robert Kerman (aka porn star Richard Bolla) who also appeared in ‘Cannibal Holocaust'.

‘Cannibal Ferox' is certainly not for everyone and those who have not been fans of other Italian cannibal films should probably avoid this movie completely. As I mentioned previously, the UK cut of this film is missing many scenes yet the film still remains stomach churning. However, to fully appreciate this movie it should be seen in its ultra-revolting uncut form. I recommend ‘Cannibal Ferox' for gorehounds and fans of the cannibal sub-genre. While it obviously takes some influence from ‘Cannibal Holocaust' it remains different enough to have an appeal all of its own. My rating for ‘Cannibal Ferox' – 6.5/10.