Horror Safari

While going through my DVDs I stumbled across a copy of "INVADERS OF THE LOST GOLD". Scratching my head, I couldn't remember anything of it, other than simply going by the two out of ten star rating I previously gave it. I started watching and it came flooding back. They weren't great memories either. After the opening slaughter by jungle natives of some Japanese soldiers (with laughable dubbing/accents) escorting gold during WWII, you can't help but be drawn in. Thinking that you might be onto something fun with this jungle adventure exploitation. Come on, we get decapitated heads on spears and Japanese soldiers slicing off limbs in their escape. Alas, all that comes to a thud, once it heads to present day.

There begins the expedition, as wealthy businessmen set-up their team for the Philippines to find the hidden gold. Sadly even with the stalwart likes of Stuart Whitman, Woody Strode, Harold "Oddjob" Sakata and Laura Gemser along for the journey; you're left with a cheap, uninspired and boring jungle trek. Leaving you dazed and confused, despite a little blood and nudity along the way. The dangers of the jungle (e.g. crocodiles, snakes, rope bridges, booby traps and greedy men) come to fruition, but those bloodthirsty natives from the opening sequence are M.I.A. Talk about being a party pooper.

However the real talking point is the unknown death of a character suddenly panicking and dropping dead while skinning dipping. It's a real head scratcher. This could be contributed to its terrible editing, which really does show in numerous hacked-up sequences. Like the out-of-nowhere fight between Strode and Sakata. After one calls the other a killer, repeatedly, they continue their trek then suddenly the next scene shows the two scuffling to only laugh it off like something out of a gag reel. Although one of them does get the last laugh. I couldn't help but be disappointed by "INVADERS OF THE LOST GOLD", after liking the director's previous film; "KILLER'S MOON" (1978).

Man these people deal with death so well. People are dropping like flies and they just move on to the next site. It is truly an amazingly terrible picture! The fight scenes were awful. Also, like the other comment, if you like hearing the horrible deaths, then you will love it. I am truly disappointed in this film. How it is considered a horror pic is amazing enough. One Porter gets killed by a Crocodile, but I am so sure the crocodile is very small just with a close up camera shot. A lady dies while swimming with no reason given. Its one mistake after another. It started with like 30 people on the expedition, only two make it. Can someone please tell me what happened to all the other people. The editing is so bad people are apparating(harry potter) all over the place....lol

The Philippines, 1945. Japanese troops escorting a gold shipment are ambushed by headhunting natives. Most of the soldiers are killed, but not before they manage to hide the gold in a cave. Three officers survive. Thirty-six years later, Rex Larson (Purdom) is hunting for the lost fortune. He recruits one of the surviving officers and has his financial backer help arrange for an expedition. The lead guide is Mark Forrest (Whitman) who helps arrange for assistance in the Philippines. Once in the wilderness, the group must contend with the elements, treachery, and murder. Billed as a cannibal film at my local video store, it does not qualify as such. It is definitely inspired by the Indiana Jones flicks, but is much more conventional. The film had many of the elements necessary for success including a strong cast. Woody Strode is a welcome presence, but is largely wasted. I came away with the impression that the filmmakers were simply manufacturing a movie for a quick release rather than making a genuine effort to entertain. While it likely wouldn't have become a blockbuster or anything akin to a classic, it could have been far better with only minimal script changes and perhaps a more firm directorial hand. Or not.

This won't be easy.

But I have to slag a film starring Goddess Gemser, but I've got little choice.

This ripped off war movies, jungle flicks, and the Cannibal sub-genre, an in every case, poorly. Cliché' characters, crap acting, predictable scenes, and in many cases, unfinished.

I'll pay it one compliment. Gemser is, and always will be beautiful. This got 3 stars out of me just for having her in it. Without her, I probably wouldn't have even bothered.

Despite having talent like Whitman and Strode, the acting was absolute crap. These guys, along with Purdom and Sakata (Oddjob), were obviously picking up a quick paycheck.

Miss it.

Yes this started out with a promise of being a rather good adventure outing. With in the first 5 minutes a head hunting tribe against Japanese Army showdown begins resulting in a lot of gore and bloodshed.

Then it just degenerates further and further into large plot holes, bad acting and terrible editing for effects shots.

This movie was enjoyable as a novelty for the first 2/3, then became a chore there after till the convoluted and "you guessed right" ending.