Nice to hear from someone new to the film and their reaction to it. It's an undeniably powerful film, but it's a film that's been with me for so long now, I sometimes think my objectivity may be lacking a bit. Nice to know the film still has the power to shock, just as it should. I must admit, it's one of the very select few films that has left me speechless and in a state of shock. It's potent, visceral stuff and packs a real punch. Even if some of the 'techniques' employed are somewhat questionable.

First time I rented it on VHS I saw it 3 times, in less than 24h :)
Never happened with any other film.

That's a great observation and quite possibly one which Riz Ortolani and Ruggero Deodato were looking for. It does draw you in, shock with its incredible power and then suddenly says 'That was old footage'.

Cannibal Holocaust is generally regarded as the first 'found footage' film and was released a long time before such films as The Blair Witch Project, [REC] and Cloverfield, so is really a genre defining film.

Punishment Park to thread:

Punishment park (1971) trailer - YouTube

I have the Masters of Cinema dvd of this. Bleak little pseudo-documentary.

From Wiki : "The panic reaction of the film team, believing that the actors dropping down had been shot for real, is genuine."

Can you imagine how relaxed the viewers must have felt on it's original release as that theme tune played and the beautiful scenery floated by, with absolutely no idea of what was coming after?! :fear:

I think the title of the film probably gave it away, mate. If you go into a film called Cannibal Holocaust expecting Disney, then there's something wrong with you. :lol:

Touché! :laugh: