Ruggero Deodato’s Cannibal Holocaust is a benchmark in extreme filmmaking. Though not the first (nor the best, in this writer’s opinion) Italian jungle cannibal picture, it is the one that receives the most attention and notoriety. What many may not know, or perhaps talk about much, is that a sequel was released for Cannibal Holocaust eight years after the original’s release (it should be noted that this title was only used by distributors to capitalize on the original’s success). That film, which is very different from its predecessor, is soon available in an impressively restored Blu-ray release from 88 Films.
Cannibal Holocaust 2 is perhaps referred to more often by its alternate title, The Green Inferno (No, not the Eli Roth 2013 homage to cannibal films). The film plays more like a jungle action film than the other cannibal films, with very few horror elements. It’s often considered a satire of the genre with some smart commentary that viewers can pick up on. Fans of cannibal films know that they are largely controversial due to their depiction of actual animal death and violence.
The Green Inferno contains some scenes of actual animal situations, but none nearly as inhumane or hard to watch as notorious films like Cannibal Ferox and Last Cannibal World. Monkeys are shot with blow-darts, and large snakes are wrestled with, but we’re spared disgusting scenes like the infamous turtle scene from the original Cannibal Holocaust.
The Green Inferno was directed by Antonio Climati, who may be best known for his involvement in the Mondo film genre, having acted as DP on the granddaddy of the Mondo films, Mondo Cane. This connection is particularly worth noting because the popularity of Mondo films can be given a fair deal of credit for the emergence of its sleazier cousin, the Italian cannibal film. Also, interestingly, Climati acted as DP on Nightmare Beach (aka Welcome to Spring Break), the underrated slasher film that was released the same year as The Green Inferno and was co-directed by exploitation maestro Umberto Lenzi.
The restoration of the film looks very nice. Save for a few distracting blemishes in the picture that are very short-lived, the transfer is very clean, and the sound is well-balanced. The film is presented in Italian with English subtitles or dubbed in English, which is nice for fans of Italian genre films who may enjoy watching it both ways. Also included are the original Italian beginning and end credits. Films like this one and the other jungle cannibal films are nice to see in these restored sets, which really lend to the lush shots of the Amazon rainforest and the interesting images of exotic animals.
The Green Inferno is an exciting and fun entry into a genre that can sometimes be grim and intense. The action elements are highly entertaining, and the film keeps a nice pace throughout. 88 Films has done a fine job restoring this unique film. Italian genre completists will want to add this cool set to their collections. So, carve a spot next to your Grindhouse Releasing Blu-ray of Cannibal Holocaust for this impressive release.
The Green Inferno Blu-ray will be released on March 11th and is now available to purchase on the 88 Films website.
