Cannibal Ferox Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Cannibal Ferox" on Blu Ray, featuring an AVC encoded image with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, offers a vibrant homage to its original cinematic disposition. This remastering effort achieves a commendable balance between preserving the film's inherent graininess and enhancing overall visual clarity. While the film's age and the limitations of its initial cinematography necessitate a somewhat softer image, the detail level remains impressively faithful to the source material. This is particularly evident in the depiction of lush Amazonian landscapes and the vividness of primary colors in costumes and urban settings, which are both presented with remarkable freshness and stability.

Skin tones across the board are rendered with a natural fidelity, maintaining the authenticity of the film's visual palette. The transfer excels in delineation, ensuring that even in darker sequences or more intricate textures, such as thick hair, there is no loss of detail or unwelcome solidification. Moreover, the integrity of the frame remains intact for viewers keen on exploring the nuances of each shot.

Despite its strengths, the transfer is not without minor flaws. Occasional speckles, debris, and a few vertical scratches are present, albeit without significantly detracting from the viewing experience. Additionally, some mild flickering and judder can be observed intermittently. These issues, however, are minimal and do not overshadow the overall quality of the transfer, which admirably succeeds in bringing "Cannibal Ferox" to life with a clarity and vibrancy that respects its original filmic essence.

The Blu Ray audio presentation of "Cannibal Ferox" features a 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix, masterfully remixed by Paul Ottosson, offering a revitalized auditory experience that breathes freshness and clarity into this cult classic. Ottosson adeptly enhances the atmospheric sounds, adding a new layer of definition that enriches the film's immersive qualities. Although the heightened emphasis sometimes results in a less harmonious blend, particularly noticeable in the more jarring moments like the police precinct scenes, the overall effect is undeniably impressive. The elimination of hiss from the track ensures a crisper, cleaner listening journey, significantly improving upon the original theatrical mix's pronounced hissing.

Dialogue exchanges benefit from this remix as well, with Ottosson's touch reducing the dubbed feel, thereby aiding in a more natural and engaging delivery of performances. Furthermore, the scoring receives a meticulous enhancement, standing out with its sharpness and a robustly clean presentation of instrumentation. The low-end frequencies are given a heftier presence, lending a powerful depth to the soundtrack that complements the film's intense moments perfectly. The contrast between this remixed version and the original audio track is stark; switching to the latter highlights the substantial improvements achieved, revealing the care and thoughtfulness that went into this audio refurbishment. Although not every element blends flawlessly into the soundscape—most notably in scenes where sonic aggression overshadows—it's evident that the audio overhaul has been executed with a keen ear for detail and an appreciation for the movie's unique auditory demands.

The Blu-ray extra presentation of "Cannibal Ferox" surpasses expectations, catering to both aficionados of the Italian cannibal genre and curious newcomers. Notably, the inclusion of director Umberto Lenzi and actor Giovanni Lombardo Radice in commentary tracks provides firsthand insights into the film's production and legacy. The crown jewel, "Eaten Alive: The Rise and Fall of the Italian Cannibal Film," offers a comprehensive exploration of the genre's evolution, featuring valuable contributions from critics and scholars. Additionally, interviews with key figures like Lenzi, Radice, Zora Kerova, Danilo Mattei, and special effects maestro Gino De Rossi, delve deeper into the filmmaking experience, revealing behind-the-scenes stories and professional reflections. These elements, alongside a rich selection of trailers, deleted scenes, and still galleries, compile an impressive compilation that both enriches the viewing experience and honors the film’s controversial place in cinema history.

Extras included in this disc:

• CD Soundtrack: Includes 20 tracks, bonus material, and alternate takes.
• Booklet: Offers 12 pages of photos and essays from Eli Roth and Bill Landis.
• Commentary: Features Umberto Lenzi and Giovanni Lombardo Radice.
• Eaten Alive: The Rise and Fall of the Italian Cannibal Film: A thorough examination of the cannibal movie genre.
• Deleted Scenes: Includes "Pig" and "Piranha".
• Hollywood Premiere: A look at the 1997 reissue event.
• Trailers: An international collection including an International Trailer, German Trailer, U.S. Trailer, and Mexican Trailer.
• Interviews: In-depth discussions with Umberto Lenzi, Giovanni Lombardo Radice, Zora Kerova, Danilo Mattei, and Gino De Rossi.
• Still Galleries: A comprehensive collection featuring Production Stills, Behind the Scenes, Promotional Materials from various countries, Video Releases, and Ferox Fever.

Cannibal Ferox, a distinctive entry into the Italian cannibal film subgenre of the 1970s and '80s, dives deep into the Amazonian jungle with its sights set on surpassing its predecessors in sheer brutality and shocking content. The film, directed by Umberto Lenzi, lacks the finesse of storytelling, instead favoring a relentless exploration of violence both against humans and animals, real and simulated. This approach crafts an unsettling atmosphere, making the film a memorable, if not entirely palatable, experience for fans of exploitation horror. With a cast led by Lorraine De Selle and Giovanni Lombardo Radice, the narrative unfolds as an anthropology expedition turns into a nightmare of survival against hostile elements and sadistic desires, underscored by a surprisingly funky soundtrack that juxtaposes disco with the horrors unfolding in the storyline.

Set against the backdrop of both New York City and the unforgiving Amazon, the film intricately weaves two parallel narratives that occasionally intersect, offering viewers a break from the relentless jungle terror with moments of urban crime drama. However, these diversions are brief, as the core of Cannibal Ferox remains fixated on the primal and gruesome confrontations in the Amazon. The film's exploration of cultural intrusion and the brutal consequences that follow presents a raw look at exploitation cinema's capacity to shock and provoke. Notably, the graphic depiction of animal cruelty, prevalent in this subgenre, remains a contentious aspect, contributing to the film's infamy yet overshadowing its critique on human savagery and cultural disrespect.

Cannibal Ferox endeavors to elevate exploitation horror to new heights through a synthesis of extreme violence, rudimentary characterizations, and an oddly effective score. It encapsulates the era's fascination with blending real-world horrors with cinematic excesses, creating an experience that is hard to ignore or forget. Umberto Lenzi's direction ensures that the film resides firmly within its niche, catering to aficionados of the genre with an appetite for the macabre, amplified by the visceral intensity that only 1980s exploitation can offer. Despite its evident flaws and controversial content, Cannibal Ferox secures its niche appeal, serving as a stark reminder of cinema's power to disturb and dazzle in equal measure.

Cannibal Ferox, much akin to its notorious counterpart Cannibal Holocaust, stands as a testament to the extreme lengths filmmakers of its era went to shock and provoke their audience. This Blu-ray presentation brings the controversial classic into sharp relief, accentuating the film's deliberate attempts to unsettle and disturb with its unflinching portrayal of violence and savagery. It's an unapologetic embrace of the era's moviemaking tastes, marked by a dizzying mixture of shock value, audacious make-up effects, and a narrative tone that oscillates with remarkable agility. Despite its overt crudeness, Cannibal Ferox distinguishes itself within its subgenre through a distinctive blend of style and visceral impact, ensuring its placement as a memorable piece of cinematic extremity.

The technical aspects of this Blu-ray release are commendably faithful to the film's original vision, with a meticulous restoration that preserves the gritty texture integral to its aesthetic. Viewers can expect an immersive experience, bolstered by a vivid picture quality that does justice to the film's graphic content and a sound mix that amplifies its unsettling atmosphere. The supplemental materials provided offer a comprehensive insight into the film's controversial production and its enduring legacy within cult cinema, enriching the viewing experience for aficionados and newcomers alike.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of Cannibal Ferox is more than a mere trip down cinema's most disturbing memory lane; it's a well-crafted homage to the film's status as a cult classic. With technical enhancements that elevate the original material and special features that provide valuable context, this edition is a must-have for collectors and those intrigued by the film's notorious reputation. It not only preserves but also celebrates the film's place in the annals of horror cinema, making it a worthwhile acquisition for enthusiasts of the genre.