Cannibal Holocaust - Blu Ray and rewatch thoughts

So CH is a very divisive movie for numerous reasons. Upfront I'm gonna say I haven't (and won't) watch the uncut (ie animal killings) version. Just don't think its necessary or needed...hopefully Ferox may have a animal cresulty free version so I can finally watch that. Needless to say its the Grindhouse 3 disc version that I upgraded to (already had the DVD version). Don't wanna get into that aspect for this review.

So there's something quite unique about CH. I've never watched a movie that really gave the same versimiltude about it. It suffers the same downfalls as many Italian movies with some dodgy acting, and a sort of cheapness to the feel.

But despite that after the first 15 minutes or so, the bad acting gives way to more genuine reactions from the cast. Its never perfect in that respect, but when it gets rolling it really draws you in. I'm not sure how much Deodato planned or how much was just luck, but the intensity of the enviroment mixed with the images and the back and forth of "modern day" New York is striking.

The soundtrack cannot be overlooked....its as much of the movie as Williams score of Jaws...but its oddly used which addes to the unsettling nature of the movie. The beautiful haunting "main theme" is played in various parts...from the sweeping opening shot over the amazon, to the most light hearted piece in the whole movie (Monroe in the river with the girls) to the most vicious rape scenes. It shouldn't work....but it does. Then the electonic buzzes in scenes just messes with you more, making a more dirty and exploitation feel juxtaposed to that main theme.

Overall the movie does feel "dangerous" if that makes any sense. Perhaps its the environment, or maybe the feeling of being real from the indigenous cast of "cannibals" (who don't get enough praise IMO in reviews).

Sure the theme of "civiilzed man ain;t so civilized at all" is not subtle, but still relevant, especially with the backdrop of NY city and the blood hungry media willing to overlook the documentary makers abuses just for ratings.

Best scene in the movie (for me)...they come across the impaled girl (which is implied they impaled) and Alan in smiling...camera man says, "hey we're filming" where he goes deadpan. Chilling.

Anywho not a movie for everyone, but its a 10/10 for me, and gets better with more rewatches.

A note on the transfer...its an interesting one...unlike the likes of The Thing, which is just crystal clear...this one retains much of the scratchy feel but enhances the color and clarity.