Cut and Run

From Ruggero Deodato, the infamous director of "Cannibal Holocaust", comes this return to gory and sadistic jungle-based goings-on. It's an interesting mixture of the Italian jungle genre (albeit without cannibalism), drug-based action pictures, and blood and guts horror. Overall, it doesn't make nearly the same impact as "Cannibal Holocaust", but it's still a solid diversion for any cult movie lover who is into this sort of thing.

Lisa Blount and Leonard Mann play reporter Fran Hudson and her cameraman Mark Ludman, who are hot on the trail of a story involving wars between competing drug cartels. They come to realize that a man named Brian Horne (Richard Lynch) is involved. It turns out Horne was a prominent associate of the notorious cult leader Jim Jones. Fran and Mark are also trying to find Tommy Allo (Willie Aames), son of their boss Bob (Richard Bright); Tommy has been prisoner to one of these cartels for some time.

As you can see, there are a fair amount of familiar American actors in this rousing bit of entertainment. Karen Black makes a "special appearance", a young Eriq La Salle plays an informant, and the legendary cult actor Michael Berryman turns up repeatedly as a relentless and REALLY nasty white henchman. His scenes tend to be the most fun. Blount doesn't look too happy to be here, and Aames is too whiny and annoying, but the rest of the cast do some good work. Sexy Valentina Forte, Deodatos' girlfriend at the time, exploitation veteran John Steiner, Barbara Magnolfi ("Suspiria"), and Ottaviano Dell'Acqua (the worm eye zombie in "Zombi 2") co-star.

One gory highlight involves a person being ripped in half. The location shooting adds a lot of atmosphere. And ever reliable Claudio Simonetti of the groups Goblin and Daemonia composed the groovy music score.

Not too memorable once it's over, but it does hold ones' attention.

Seven out of 10.

Intriguing and violent Italian movie about two journalists follow a lead to the former South American home of Jim Jones but they are instantly pursued by local guerrillas and natives . These journalists are the following ones : a reporter woman , Lisa Blount, and her cameraman Leonard Mann, both of whom go to South America to find clues of the son : Willie Aames, of a wealthy man : Richard Bright, and to connect a surviving Jonestown leader : Richard Lynch . There they become involved with drug smugglers, kidnappers and bloody native tribes led by Michael Berryman, being finally captured. This is the one story you won't be seeing on the 6 o'clock news. Assignment : survival.

A strange mix of noisy action, adventures, jungle fights, grisly killings and gory scenes. Dealing with an expedition searching for a missing son when they are caught up in a drug war and violent natives that threaten to take their own lives. It is a mediocre but passable film and full of blood and gore. Main cast and support cast are acceptable. Lisa Blount plays an intrepid journalist, the Italian Leonard Mann is her camera helper, Willie Aames an abducted young, Richard Bright as his father, Karen Black as an Tv manager, Michael Berryman as an ominous, creepy native chief, being special mention for Richard Lynch as a nasty, mean preacher, Jim Jones-lookalike and brief appearance by Eriq La Salle.

It contains an atmospheric and glimmer cinematography by Alberto Spagnoli. As well as an anticlimatic musical score composed by Syntesizer by Claudio Simonetti of Goblin, usual musician to Dario Argento's films. Being shot on location in Venezuela and Miami, Florida. The motion picture was regularly directed by Ruggero Deodato. He is a notorious Italian director especially known for today considered classic "Cannibal Holocaust". He has directed all kinds of genres with particular penchant for terror, violence, and adventure movies, such as Jungle holocaust, House on the edge of the park, Bodycount, Dial help, Phantom of death, The washing machine, The raiders of Atlantis, Concorde affair, Live like a cop die like a man, Lone runner, The barbarians, among others . Rating 5/10. Average

Ruggero Deodato is most widely known for his controversial masterpiece "Cannibal Holocaust" of 1980, which makes him a genius director in my book. None of his other films comes anywhere near the brilliance of "Cannibal Holocaust", and yet most of them are extremely entertaining films that fans of the gory and nasty kind of cinema should appreciate. Deodato's repertoire includes a variety of films of different (sub-)genres such as "L'Ultimo Mondo Cannibale" (aka. "Jungle Holocaust", 1977), "House On The Edge Of The Park" (1980) , or "Live Like A Cop, Die Like A Man" (1976, a Poliziottoesco which I have yet to see), and this "Inferno In Diretta" aka. "Cut And Run" of 1985. While this is certainly not one of Deodato's best films, it is definitely a must-see for his fans.

"Cut And Run" is a film that, once again, takes place in the jungle. The film may not be as disturbing as "Cannibal Holocaust" or some other films by Deodato, but it is certainly not for the faint-hearted. There are no cannibals this time, but there's an atrocious drug-war going on instead, and Deodato is, as usual, not exactly stingy with explicit violence, nauseating gore and genuine nastiness. Horror fans should especially appreciate the casting of Michael Berryman ("The Hills Have Eyes") who, once again, has the creepiest role in the film. Lisa Blount ("Prince Of Darkness") and Leonard Mann, whom Spaghetti Western fans might know for films like "Forgotten Pistolero" or "Three Amens For Satan", play the leading roles as a reporter and a cameraman. The supporting cast furthermore includes Italian genre-cinema regulars John Steiner and Gabriele Tinti. The score is delivered by the great Claudio Simonetti, the genius composer and keyboard player of Progressive Rock band Goblin, who is responsible for most of the greatest scores in Italian Horror cinema. The greatest aspect of "Cut And Run" is the brilliant photography - Deodato sure knows how to to give the jungle the menacing atmosphere of a green Inferno. "Cut And Run" is certainly not one of his greatest films, but his fans should definitely not miss this violent dose of action-packed Deodato jungle-madness!

"Cannibal Holocaust"(1979)is one of my favourite horror movies ever.It's truly a masterpiece of gut-wrenching horror.In comparison to it "Cut and Run" is rather tame,but it features some nasty scenes of violence like where one guy is cut in half by the jungle trap.Sure,it's brutal but not as nasty as "Cannibal Holocaust" or even "Jungle Holocaust"(1978).There's no animal cruelty or sexual violence(apart from the rape scene near the beginning),but the action is fast-paced,the acting is decent enough(I love especially the performance by Michael Berryman-this guy is creepy!)and the script by Cesare Frugone and Dardano Sacchetti is fairly good.So if you like violent and sleazy action give this one a look,just don't expect another "Cannibal Holocaust".7 out of 10.

Fine action film from Italian Ruggero Deodato that features a great cast of American stars - well you know what I mean when I say stars. I was fortunate enough to see the uncut version under the title AMAZONIA LA JUNGLE BLANCHE - although it was in French with no subtitles, I still enjoyed it though. Claudio Simonetti's bombastic score is a real treat and needs a CD release. Look out for the Anchor Bay DVD release due out sometime in 2002 - Uncut and Widescreen with an interview with good old Ruggero.