Mountain Of The Cannibal God (1978)

(aka: Prisoner Of The Cannibal God; Slave Of The Cannibal God)

Mountain Of The Cannibal God

"You don't forget the taste of human flesh!" Edward Foster (Stacy Keach), "Mountain of the Cannibal God" (1978)

With her husband, Professor Henry Stevenson, missing in the wilds of New Guinea, Susan Stevenson (Andress), and her hot-headed brother Arthur (Marsina), set out to Port Moresby to confront local authorities over the potential of a search party being organised. However, their protests fall on deaf ears once they are informed that the Marabata jungle is virtually impenetrable, as well as neighbouring island Roka so steeped in mystery that it is considered cursed by locals. Deciding to launch their own private reconnaissance, they turn to Henry's former colleague Edward Foster (Keach), and soon set out into the unexplored territory with Foster's personal aide Lazaro (Wanaguru), a native, in tow.

Managing to brave the wilderness, while losing a number of their local bearers through Arthur's volatile temperament, the adventurers eventually set foot on Roka to much initial trepidation. Losing the remainder of their bearers, in grisly fashion, to the perils of Roka the rag-tag team are happened upon by missionary physician Manono (Cassinelli), who in turn ushers them back to Father Moseas' (Fantasia) mission. Once again, Arthur becomes the catalyst for their forcible ejection from the outpost, whereupon they venture forth to the legendary mountain of Ra-Rami; the mountain of the cannibal god, and home to once thought extinct cannibal tribe, the Puka. A people who Foster has had first hand experience with, and has no intentions of reliving the ordeal again. Horror can only follow

Another month, another Italian cannibal film. I'm back in familiar territory here, right kids? But yes, I have an avowed love of the Italian cannibal sub-cycle of the Spaghetti horror genre, and herein lies perhaps one of the "classier" efforts of the cycle. Helmed by the always reliable Sergio Martino, perhaps best known of recent years to the horror community for his cult giallo "Torso" (1973), "Mountain of the Cannibal God" differentiates itself from the (then fledgling) cycle by positing itself as a grand adventure, albeit with the obligatory cannibal element, and fills its vistas with the faces of major stars. Whereas other films in the cycle offer cult actors (Ivan Rassimov, Janet Agren, John Morghen) and porn-stars (Robert Kerman), "Mountain" elevates itself with the familiar faces of Nordic beauty Andress, American Keach, and underrated (and now late) Cassinelli. Obviously no-one involved considered that they were involved in "high-art", however their presence alone helps in setting apart the production from its more primordial peers.

However, those expecting an expansive "Boys Own" adventure set against the lush backdrops of the scenic Sri Lankan vistas, would well be advised that "Mountain" does indeed succumb to many of the trappings of the sub-cycle. Amidst the startling greenery, and the engaging unravelling mystery of the plot (exactly why are Andress and Marsina in such a hurry to scale the lofty heights of Ra-Rami?), there are scenes of the prerequisite animal carnage, crudely engineered native death-traps, enjoyably icky gore, a plethora of naked bodies (including Andress'), a tear-inducing castration, and (of course) the obligatory cannibal chow-down. All orchestrated to a toe-tappingly catchy score by genre stalwarts, the brothers De Angelis (Guido and Fabrizio), whose work here is easily comparative with Maria Fiammi Maglione's compositions for latter entries in the cycle (though not quite as memorable as Riz Ortolani's work on Deodato's magnum opus).

A cameo by Spaghetti western veteran Franco Fantasia adds to the delight factor, as well as the notion that Martino & Cesare Frugoni crafted a script that served as something more than a simple excuse to parade a cavalcade of grotesqueries across the Techniscope screen. These films have their detractors, but those a little more adventurous would do worse than to indulge the hour and three quarters of gory jungle adventure that Martino's work offers. It's much less racist in tone than others of its peers, and featuring the cast that it does, a little more "high-profile" than most of the cannibal films. Essentially, it's an adventure film, with a backdrop of the 'modern primitive" as imposed by the (then) worldwide box-office success of its predecessors. All up, a favoured cannibal treat, if not a tad long-winded in its set-up.

Anchor Bay's disc? All I can say is, I'm glad I waited! Presented in its original Techniscope framing and anamorphically enhanced, "Mountain" now looks revelatory to say the least. With such a clean and crisp transfer it's almost impossible to believe that this was once largely (in many territories) nothing more than "cheesy" drive-in/grind-house fare! A true corker of a transfer, with brand new (what appear to be) video generated titles. Audio is wonderfully clear and free of distortion, so no complaints there either.

In the extras department, "Legacy of the Cannibal God" is a fact filled journey down memory lane with Sergio Martino, who happily recalls a great many anecdotes concerning the shoot (Blue Underground's editing on this featurette ticked me off initially, but a second watch revealed their intent to be largely "playful" in tone, as opposed to caustic as originally perceived). Standard extras in the form of theatrical trailer, stills and artwork gallery, and main cast/director profiles, round out the presentation nicely. Many would argue this is pretty much overkill for a film of this kind, but I found the overall package just peachy, thanks.

Footnote: Anchor Bay have gone the "whole hog" (fnar fnar fnar) and presented "Mountain of the Cannibal God" in a previously unseen extended "director approved" version for their disc release. The film now runs four minutes longer than any previous version released, and restores a vital plot-point, as well as some additional explicit footage during a tribal ritual sequence (unsimulated female masturbation, a native couple copulating, and an over zealous native having his [simulated] way with a very large pig). Having read much discourse over the "pig scene" in recent reviews, I was totally unprepared for the unintentional hilarity of the whole (brief) sequence. Sorry guys, but the so-called "offensive imagery" left me rolling on the floor in fits of laughter. Guess my sense of humour is just marginally more warped than many of my genre brethren out there

Review by Mike Thomason


 
Released by Anchor Bay Entertainment
Region All - NTSC
Not Rated
Ratio - Widescreen 2.35 (16:9)
Extras :
Making Of featurette; Theatrical trailer; Stills & Artwork gallery; Cast & Crew profiles
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