Retro Blood 163: Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as Retro Blood wraps up its Thanksgiving month of “Human Meat: What’s for Dinner?” with one of the most controversial and notorious films of all time—Cannibal Holocaust!

The boys kick things off by exploring the Italian cannibal film boom of the 1980s, debating whether this gruesome flick could be considered the first-ever found footage movie. They set the stage with a dive into the history of what was happening in metal and pro wrestling during the film’s release dates.

For metal, we flashback to February 7, 1980, to discuss the early days of the Ramones, their impact on punk and metal crossover, and their status as underground legends at the time. On the pro wrestling side, we fast-forward to Cannibal Holocaust’s U.S. release on June 19, 1985, where we break down a WWF house show in the wake of WrestleMania I, featuring Hulk Hogan and Paul Orndorff squaring off against Rowdy Roddy Piper and Bob Orton!

Next, we dive deep into the film’s production history and controversies. Hear all about director Ruggero Deodato’s infamous arrest for making this shocking movie, his disdain for sensationalist news media that inspired the film’s brutal themes, and how Italy’s Red Brigades influenced its creation. We also delve into Robert Kerman’s fascinating dual career as a leading man in both exploitation and adult films, cementing his legacy as the “Cannibal King.”

Finally, we dive into the full review of this raw and unrelenting film. From Professor Harold Monroe recording tribal sounds (and eating raw meat) to the Allen crew faking atrocities for shock value only to face their ultimate reckoning, we break down the chaos, carnage, and deeper messages lurking in the jungle.

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Prepare for a blood-soaked exploration of exploitation cinema’s darkest corners. Streaming now! 🩸🌴 #RetroBlood #CannibalHolocaust #HumanMeatMonth #ItalianHorror #FoundFootage #WWFHistory #Ramones