Last Cannibal World is a 1976 Italian exploitation film about a man trying to escape from a primitive tribe in a Papua New Guinea jungle.
Directed by Ruggero Deodato (House at the Edge of the Park) from a screenplay co-written by Tito Carpi, Gianfranco Clerici and Renzo Genta. Produced by Giorgio Carlo Rossi.
The movie stars Massimo Foschi, Me Me Lai and Ivan Rassimov.
Original Italian title: Ultimo mondo cannibale and also released as Jungle Holocaust, The Last Survivor, Cannibal! (UK) and Carnivorous (USA). It is the precursor to Deodato’s controversial 1980 film Cannibal Holocaust, although it was originally slated to be directed by Umberto Lenzi as a follow-up to his 1972 jungle shocker The Man from Deep River.
Reviews:
” …another largely forgettable jungle romp, notable now only as a precursor to the infinitely better Cannibal Holocaust and the ludicrous but fun Cannibal Ferox (1981). It lacks the raw savagery and political will of Deodato’s later cannibal film and is so po-faced and determinedly serious that it lacks the high camp comedy factor of Lenzi’s legendary atrocity. Dull, poorly-made and largely unmemorable.” The EOFFTV Review
“Of the Italian cannibal movies I’ve seen to this point, this is easily the most savage and the nastiest; it is also better made than the others I’ve seen. However, since the whole genre is rather offensive, one almost wishes it was poorly made so one could discard it; as it is, like it or not, the movie does have a certain power to it.” Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings
” …still one of the best of its ilk. The skillful scope photography, atmospheric score, and earnest performances make this a gripping study of survival, while exploitation fans should enjoy the high levels of gore effects (with the most unforgettable set-piece saved for the end […] Thematically it’s also less didactic than the ’80s cannibal films; there isn’t any questionable moralizing along the lines of who the real savages are.” Mondo Digital
“This viewer headed for the hills not long after she watched the locals, a little crude even by Stone Age standards, gnawing on a set of human arms and legs, which had presumably belonged to somebody else until only lately. “Scene of cannibalism photographed from real life,” a subtitle said.” The New York Times, April 6th 1978
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“We are so troubled by the horror on the screen that we don’t appreciate the beautiful landscapes. Jungle Holocaust is an immersive experience only possible when filmed under extreme circumstances. Blood, sweat, and tears visibly contributed to this production. The actors are always dirty. The camera glides or shakes at all times. The lighting isn’t always optimal.” Tales of Terror
“Easily one of the best in the cannibal genre. It was the second after The Man From Deep River and while it raised the bar in terms of extreme gore and nastiness, instead of just wallowing in exploitation, it was a valid attempt at portraying unflinching jungle survival and the consequences of a civilized white man’s encounter with cannibals.” The Worldwide Celluloid Massacre
Buy uncut on Region 2 DVD from Amazon.co.uk
Cast and characters:
Massimo Foschi … Robert Harper
Me Me Lai … Pulan
Ivan Rassimov … Rolf
Sheik Razak Shikur … Charlie
Judy Rosly … Swan
Suleiman … Native Chief
Shamsi … Native Warrior #1
