Anthropophagus is a Little-Known Italian Shock Masterpiece
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Anthropophagus is known in some circles as the ‘ultimate gross-out movie’. Is there a high-budget remake of this one in the future? There should be.
Written by BHM Contributor Ronnie Angel
February 1, 2009
Buy on Amazon
Release: October 23, 1981 (U.S.)
Directed by: Joe D'Amato
Written by: Aristide Massaccesi and Louis Montefiori
Starring:
Tisa Farrow as Julie
Saverio Vallone as Andy
Vanessa Steiger as Maggie
Margaret Donnelly as Henriette 'Rita'
Mark Bodin as Daniel
Bob Larsen as Arnold
This particular review is not of a movie remake, but I must say that Hollywood occasionally does a good thing in the horror remake department. The 2009 Remake of My Bloody Valentine 3D is an excellent example. These are some remakes that need to be made; The films that were originally made with awesome stories yet very low budgets… the dark horses of horror cinema, if you will. Why am I saying this, you ask? Well, if there are any major Hollywood-types reading this, I’ve got the next remake right frickin here for you in Anthropophagus!
The little-known Italian Shock Horror masterpiece Anthropophagus (also�known as the Grim Reaper, Man Eater, Savage Island, etc.) manages something that very, very few horror movies achieve… It is actually legitimately scary! I have seen lots of horror movies in my life and I have to say that
this one is by far at the top of the list in the scary department, and even if half the cast didn't understand what they were saying in English (the film was shot in Italian), the acting is better than one would imagine for such a zero budget rarity. The scenery is absolutely amazing, filmed on location in Greece and on the Aegean Sea… That is a better setting than most big budget horror flicks could ever hope for!
Anthropophagus (break the word down and it'll make perfect sense. Anthropology is the study of what? You'll get it) centers around a group of friends taking a summer cruise together up the Aegean Sea.�They manage to pick up a girl before departing who needs a ride up to a small island to meet up with her friends. Upon arrival, amidst the beautiful scenery, the group finds the island seemingly deserted. After their boat is cut loose and their 
pregnant friend disappears, they begin to realize they may not be alone - and there may be a reason to the lack of population on the island.
The hapless bunch come face to face with “the monster" and all chaos ensues in one of the scariest, most atmospheric, jump out of your seat, Suspiria-ish movies you will ever see. The tension is very high as are the atmospherics in the setting, not to mention the suspense. The back-story builds up wonderfully as we make sense of it all and realize that this “monster” is, or at least used to be, all too human. This villain must truly be seen to be believed… he is very odd.
I would be leaving an important aspect out if I did not mention the certain... ahem… underground notoriety of Anthropophagus. This film is known in some circles as the ultimate gross-out movie, primarily due to one scene involving the pregnant woman that I wont delve into here, as well as 
a couple of other extremely gory YIKES scenes. Yes, this is an extremely gory and sometimes shocking movie, but it also has a huge story and so much more.
It is very difficult to find a copy of this film, but the quest should be on the agenda for any true horror aficionado. Shocking gore, a compelling story and surprisingly good acting performances will be your reward. Now, about the remake… this one is a killer with no budget, I shudder to think what would happen with some money behind it. Questions or comments about Anthropophagus? Discuss it on The Ossuary Forums!
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