It really is quite amazing that I find myself with a second review for a film that I never even thought I'd find myself reviewing for a first time on DVD. But here we are with Cannibal Holocaust, yet again. You can see my review for the PAL import special edition here. It turns out that Cannibal Holocaust has actually made quite a few appearances on DVD. Although I've only seen the one other myself (and the previous laser disc release in addition to seeing the new Grindhouse print in theatres a while back). I've taken some of the filler from my previous review and inserted below. Let's say that this review is comprised of about 46% recycled material, so you know it's good for the environment then. Right? RIGHT?????

The DVD format is a supremely wonderful invention for the cult film enthusiast. Hundreds upon hundreds of films that I never would have expected to see receive the special edition treatment are being dealt with as if they were pure gold. I could start naming names, but the list goes on about a mile and we'd be here all night. Besides, I'm fairly certain that you're right there with me, empty wallet and DVDs in hand. It didn't start with DVD though, I still have my Cult Epics release of Cannibal Holocaust on laser disc. The fact that Cannibal Holocaust has made multiple appearances on DVD already is also quite surprising. It's a strange and wonderful world we live in. We can now add to this list the long, long, long, long, long awaited stateside release of Cannibal Holocaust on DVD courtesy of Grindhouse Releasing. Let's dig deep into this new DVD set of one of the most infamous cannibal films ever made.

Four American documentary filmmakers (3 men, 1 woman) are missing and presumed dead after heading into the Amazon jungle. A rescue team led by Professor Monroe (Robert Kerman) heads deep into the jungle in an attempt to track down the missing filmmakers. Eventually the team stumbles upon a native tribe and make peace (by dangling their wangs) in just enough time to be given the missing canisters of film and they quickly head back to NY.

The remaining moments of Cannibal Holocaust are comprised of a "screening" of the found footage (this is where many people make their Blair Witch correlation) for a bunch of brain dead TV executives/investors. The "found footage" consists mostly of the four filmmakers taunting and abusing the local tribe members, real and extremely upsetting animal atrocities and the grand finale in which we see (in gross and morbid detail) exactly what had happened to these disrespectful filmmakers.

Notorious for its ultra realism and relentless scenes of carnage, Cannibal Holocaust has a sordid and fascinating history. Quite often banned (in many countries) and at times rarely available uncut on home video, the film had even dragged director Deodato kicking and screaming to court at one point where he had to prove that the violence was indeed fake (except for the animal violence that is, he walked away with a fine for that one). Shocking because of its deadpan delivery, the many other cannibal clones available at the time often came across as camp with nutty dialogue and hammy performances. Not Cannibal Holocaust though, with its serious and grim tone, the film is anything but a laughing matter and remains just as ferocious today as it ever was.

I've already mentioned the animal violence so keep in mind that you may have to suffer through the likes of muskrat, monkey and turtle carnage before you even get to much of the human atrocity. Unfortunately, this cruelty to animals was a staple of these films. I don't know why, and it can be tough to watch. That is of course unless you choose the 'animal cruelty free version.' That's right kiddies, Grindhouse has included a version of the film here that omits all of the violence towards animals. Ain't technology fabu? The ultra-realistic violence is also still shocking, even by today's standards and still looks a little too convincing for comfort. This includes (really just for starters) an adulterous woman who's taken with a spiked wooden dildo and that infamous image of the woman impaled by that darn stake.

We've been waiting years for this release and I can honestly say that it was worth every minute of that wait. Grindhouse presents Cannibal Holocaust in a glorious anamorphic widescreen transfer that is sure to turn heads. The contrast between the found footage and 'present time' has never seemed so apparent. You'd be hard pressed to locate any flaws here. This is the definitive edition of Cannibal Holocaust folks. Both audio options also fare exceptionally well (stereo and mono) so you have your choice. Not one complaint from me here.

OK, so let's break down this set and all of its goodies of which there are PLENTY. The set is split into two discs, or 'reels' as they are called here. Housed in a slipcase is a solid, hard keep case that opens (and is a bitch to close) to reveal the two 'reels' with plenty of classic shots from the film in the background. Also inside is a poster replica and Chas Balun liner notes. OK, onto the discs then, errr, I mean reels.

Reel 1 contains the feature length film (in either stereo or mono audio) and you have three choices in how you'd like to watch it. The uncut film itself is your first option, the 'animal cruelty free version' I mentioned earlier is the second and the 'on camera commentary version' is the third. With this choice a skull icon will pop up from time to time while you're watching the film, you hit title and are taken to an onscreen commentary with director Deodato and actor Robert Kerman as they are watching the film. Also available is a full-length feature commentary with both Deodato/Kerman. Next up is a feature called Inside The Green Inferno, a series of text essays that spotlight the 'filmmakers' and the cannibal tribes. Also included is an alternate cut of the brief film within a film Last Road to Hell.

There was a huge stink made when the recent import release I mentioned earlier was missing a few seconds of footage from this segment. The Last Road to Hell is comprised of footage from a "previous documentary" from the filmmakers that are now lost in the jungle. The footage is brief and consists of some mondo footage, people being executed etc. There is a brief shot (no pun intended) from a firing squad that's missing, really only a second or two of footage. As it turns out, the original negatives contain an alternate version with different credits/footage which is the version included here. The alternate cut is included here as well as an extra with some explanations as to the differences between them. Just to clarify, the version of The Last Road to Hell in the film is missing a few seconds of this footage because it's missing from the original negative. The alternate version that does include this footage is included as an extra. Finally, there are 4 trailers for the film (International, German, US and the US re-release) also accessible by DVD ROM is the films original shooting script.

Reel 2 kicks off with the behind-the-scenes feature In the Jungle - The Making of Cannibal Holocaust running about 1 hour and 3 minutes. The piece includes interviews (Director Deodato, Composer Ortolani, Actor Luca Barbareschi, Cinematographer Sergio D'Offizi and more) as well as some interesting (and what I can only assume is rare) on set footage. Next up are 3 interviews - Robert Kerman Exposed (from 2000 running 35-minutes), Riz Ortolani (from 2003 running 5-minutes) and Alan Yates Uncovered (Gabriel York from 2005 running 51-minutes). This is a really interesting piece as he discusses everything from being shipped to the Amazon without even seeing the script to the fact that he thinks he got the part based on his shoe size! Also included is a still gallery, Necrophagia Music Video, BIOS, and some Grindhouse coming attraction trailers (The Tough Ones, Scum of the Earth, Gone With The Pope (you really need to see this one) and more). The behind-the-scenes footage and interviews offer an interesting insight into the making of this infamous film from many of the participants offering great stories and recollections about their shooting experiences. With hours of bonus material and tons of hidden features (time for a massive easter egg hunt), you'll be going through this set for days.

Wow! What a set. Easily the cult DVD release of the year, this 2-Disc limited edition release (11,111 copies) comes highly recommended. I've been looking forward to this one for years and Grindhouse did not disappoint. Highly recommended.