THE
MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD (1978)Director: Sergio Martino
Anchor Bay Entertainment
THE
MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD (1978)Those of you hormone-charged baby boomers who grew up ogling at Ursula Andress in films like DR. NO, FUN IN ACAPULCO and SHE, might be astonished to see her nude (here, 40+ and still looking great) in this late 70s, Italian-made cannibal flick. Directed by trash favorite Sergio Martino, it was previously released as a region free DVD by Holland's EC Entertainment, and as a budget variation from Diamond Entertainment, but again, Anchor Bay triumphs with the definitive version.
Andress plays Susan Anderson, who sets out on an expedition to the deadly New Guinea jungle to find her missing archeologist husband. Along for the ride are her cowardly brother (Antonio Marsina), the tough but traumatized Dr. Foster (a pre-"Mike Hammer" Stacy Keach), and Manolo (Claudio Cassinelli), who turns out to be the real hero.
The group and their native guides face various perils, including snakes, poisonous spiders, and deadly rapids. After miscellaneous decapitations, spearings and hangings, the survivors stumble upon the dwelling place of notorious Puka cannibals and are held hostage. Andress discovers that the tribe is now worshipping the corpse of her spouse, and is later stripped naked and covered in some caramel goop for an intended ceremony.
Like most Italian cannibal films of the period, MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD delights in sickness. If you're an animal lover like me, you'll cringe at real animal mutilation, including a little monkey hopelessly being devoured by a python. More thrills include a rape attempt that has a native graphically castrated, and an annoying cannibal dwarf who get his head smashed into a rock after being kicked by the tied-up hero!
Anchor Bay has presented the film in its original 2.35.1 aspect ratio with Anamorphic enhancement. The transfer has been taken from the original negative and looks absolutely stunning. Compared to the dull looking EC and Diamond versions, Anchor Bay's disc has strong, vivid colors and a sharp, pristine image. The Dolby Digital mono soundtrack is rendered beautifully, with dialog being especially distinct and boisterous.
Anchor Bay's disc is also longer than any other version, and boasts some unseen footage that they promote as being from the private collection of the director. This new footage includes a jungle girl and some light masturbation, and one of the cannibals humping a large pig in an absurdly simulated tasteless scene.
Extras include a featurette entitled "Legacy Of The Cannibal God." This is a 13 minute interview with Martino who covers such topics as the film's production, locations and violence, as well as working with Andress, Keach and Cassinelli (who died in an accident in 1985 while acting in a film for him). Also included is a theatrical trailer, a poster and still gallery, and talent bios of Martino, Andress and Keach. (George R. Reis)