In a time when American horror was coming in the form of “Halloween” and “Friday The 13th”, the bloody Italians where putting out superior goods like Lucio Fulci’s carnage classick “Zombie”, the sleazy zombie gore of Andrea Bianchi’s “Burial Ground”, Joe D’Amato’s tale of human taxidermy in “Beyond the Darkness” and this wonderfully repulsive cannibal entry. I first saw it in ’83 and needless to say while I found it a bit shocking at the time, but I was impressed and fell in love with the notorious sub-genre.

Banned as a ‘Video Nasty’ and allegedly banned in 31 countries. It hit the U. S. with the gory goods intact on Thriller Video under the very appropriate title of “Make Then Die Slowly”. For me this one runs a close second to Ruggero Deodato’s “Cannibal Holocaust” ’80 as the very best of the gruesome cannibal gut munchers. It’s my first cannibal film, so it is some what sacred.

Gloria, brother Rudy and a friend Pat head down to the Amazon on a research expedition to prove that cannibals no longer exist. Boy are they wrong. Unfortunately for them they meet up with 2 druggies, Mike [John Morghen who to this day has nothing nice to say about the film] and Joe, who are hiding from drug dealers and looking for cocaine. Well, well it turns out that a week earlier; a coked up Mike was mistreating the natives. Not a good thing do Mikey boy as our bunch is in a world of trouble.

Now pay attention folks there’s a moral to this story. It’s simple and true “DON'T FUCK WITH CANNIBALS”. Because if you do---you’ll be finding out first hand, that cannibals are firm believers in dismemberment, castration, gut munching, head hacking, hooks though tits and loads of brain scarfing fun with very gory f/x by Gino De Rossi. Flawed only by the often ridiculous dubbing this crusty critter delivers the goods in true exploitation fashion.

Like “Cannibal Holocaust” one of the things that caused controversy and is hated by some people is the real animal butchery that’s always blamed on the producer. A anaconda eats a helpless monkey and a giant turtle killed and cooked are two examples. I don’t condone killing animals and while it was irresponsible of the filmmakers I don’t have a problem with it. It helps drive home the films disgusting point. It’s all rounded out with a very fitting score. I love good cannibal music.

Notable Dialogue: “They tied him to a stake, castrated him with a machete and then ate his genitals”.
Definitely a fav and many thanks to pasta land director Umberto Lenzi. Oh yes---parental discretion is advised
The print is the best I’ve seen, although quite grainy with a UNCUT Digital Video Transfer of the Directors Cut from Grindhouse Releasing. Presented Re-mastered in 1.85:1 Widescreen although unfortunately it is not enhanced for 16 x 9 TV’s, accompanied by Digital Stereo Surround Sound.
Xtras are in the form of:
Italian, U.S. & German Trailers,
An Easter egg with a ’97 showing of the film in New York
Director & John Morghen commentary,
Biographies for Umberto Lenzi, John Morghen, Lorraine De Salle and Zora Kerova,
Still Gallery with production Stills, posters and Publicity Material.

Before the DVD I bought the Grindhouse VHS which came with a Cannibal Ferox band-aid and card just in case you’re involved in a nasty cannibal attack. With the addition of a .50 cent ‘Add Water-Watch It Grow’ hand, and some skeletal remains I picked off a Halloween cupcake, I had to make a little SHRINE for my band-aid. Hmm, SHRINE does sound a bit psychotic, so maybe we should call it a display. I’m prepared,

…are you?

Original Italian 2 Sheet