Inferno in diretta

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!

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

this movie is an italian action flick, with a lot of nasty things like rapes and chopped of arms and legs in it, if you can find the ita orig (105 min)the first one i caught was here in swe it was only 75 min ,then the eng about 85 min,then the us and danish it was about the same 90 min then i got the ita copy from a friend and it was 105 min and it was nasty,so the us vers is not uncut like it says!!

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.

Cut and Run (1985)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Reporter Fran Hudson (Lisa Blount) takes her cameraman Mark (Leonard Mann) to the jungle to try and locate the son (Willie Aames) of a television executive who went missing. Pretty soon they learn that someone who was believed killed at Jonestown actually survived and appears to be building a new cult around the drug cartels.

Ruggero Deodato's third film in his cannibal series isn't nearly as known as JUNGLE HOLOCAUST or CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST but in its own way CUT AND RUN is a memorable little movie as long as you don't go into it expecting anything like the first two films. Apparently this screenplay was originally meant to be directed by Wes Craven but when he walked the screenplay pretty much stayed. This isn't your typical Italian cannibal movie but instead an attempt to make a more mainstream picture. In a lot of ways this here reminded me of a Cannon picture.

I say that because you've got an exploitation movie that has the budget of something you'd expect from Cannon. I will give Deodato credit in the fact that he managed to turn in a fairly good adventure and he didn't shy away from the sleaze. There's all sorts of nudity in the film, some insane violence and all of this makes for a very entertaining film. There are all sorts of violence in the film including some decapitations and various other body parts being chopped off. If you're idea of fun is gore then there's certainly plenty of that here. The sleaze factor is certainly up there so fans of that should be happy.

Another major plus is the fact that you've got some very familiar faces. I thought Blount, Mann and Aames were all quite good in their roles but you've also got Richard Lynch, Richard Bright, Karen Black and cult favorite Michael Berryman. While none of the characters are well-written, the cast is at least entertaining enough to keep you into the movie. There's even a pretty good jump scare where the director puts your focus on some crocodiles only to have something else happen.

CUT AND RUN doesn't have the greatest idea for a plot and there are some other minor issues but if you're a fan of this type of movie then it makes for a good adventure film.