In fact, in City…, Fulci proves himself to be the true Italian king of the set-piece, positively spiting maggots in the direction of critically-lauded countryman Dario Argento. There is nothing in Suspiria, or Profondo Rosso, or Tenebrae, what comes anywhere near to being as inspired in its chaos as the insane shit what goes down in the town of Dunwich.
At one point, a woman starts weeping blood before getting all anti-social and puking her intestines up over the road, as her boyfriend, played by Michele Soavi, another gore-obsessed Italian filmmaker, looks on. Later, a shower of maggots shatters the windows of a house and drenches the occupants. And that's without mentioning the fella what gets a drill right through the skull.
But anyone can do gore, even if it is incredibly original. Fulci, however, concentrates just as much on the mood. Like the films mentioned above, City Of The Living Dead exudes a sinister unease even when we're not exactly sure how it's doing it. The gore doesn't detract from this, but actually adds to it all. The place has gone mad, and the mist that creeps against the walls is just as piercing as the end of that motherfucking drill.
Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
Director - Ruggero Deodato
A chance viewing of a television news broadcast, and subsequent musings on how the cameras and journalists fetishished the violence and atrocity they were representing, led Ruggero Deodato on the path to creating the most visceral, disturbing, relentless and disarmingly intelligent exploitation film ever made. Cannibal Holocaust has never been equalled on any of these levels, and yes; It is a Damn Masterpiece.
It's also an intriguingly contradictory one. Deodato goes to great lengths to condemn the creators of the then-alarmingly successful Mondo documentaries, illustrating the accusations of film-makers inciting scenes of unwatchable mayhem simply to capture the "ultimate footage", and yet he himself utilizes needless and indefensible footage of genuine animal slaughter and stock-footage of murder and brutality, including the execution of children.
He is at pains to discuss the notion that cannibalism is in fact a grotesque myth perpetrated by way of justifying colonialism, and yet his camera lingers on the entrail chewing antics of the native tribes-people.
Most contradictory of all, however, is the fact that this film which features so much punishing inhumanity in the actions of its characters, is unmistakably the work of a highly conscientious, humane individual.
Contrary to popular belief, a belief no doubt encouraged by the film's lurid marketing campaign, the villains of the piece are not, in fact, the cannibals. In actuality, the evil is manifest in the visiting documentarians. As they burn a hut filled with weeping, mystified tribes-people, the soundtrack wails mournfully, and the camera looks on with uncomprehending disdain as the intruders laugh and cheer in our direction. The journalists rape, torture and beat their way through the film, and when they are finally set upon by the oppressed, it seems that justice has been served.
Article comments
1 - jadester
i'm afraid i disagree with Dream Warriors being there. That film is laughable, and there's plenty that's better
2 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Jadester, thats great! Lists are made for to be debated and yelled at and what not. Personally, i think its filled with amazing imagery. That bit with the fella being used like a puppet, thats fantastic. The first film was much darker in tone, but Dream Warriors is jut bursting with invention, some of which, granted, may seem a bit daft, but the whole surreal feel of the thing carries it through i think.
Thanks!
3 - Toby
I have to agree with Jadester on this one. Although after reading your justification for Dream Warriors to be included, I see where you're coming from, I just think it's a pretty substandard film (mind you, I'm not the person to talk about slasher films - with the exception of the first Halloween, I watch slashers only by chance when they're on the tv).
But on the upside, your list did what we all hope a list will do; rather than confirm existing favorites, will lead me to new films and a lot of these look pretty good (I see no link to buy witchfinder or Ghostwatch)
My list would have to include Shining, Texas Chainsaw Massacre (that film just gets better and better every time you watch it), Jaws....honourable mention would go to (I fear with what I'm about to say I may be barred from all serious conversations for the rest of my life): Deep Blue Sea as a textbook case on how to make an effective shocker out of a not very good script.
Further honourable mentions would go to Prince of Darkness and The Thing
4 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Toby, i would have loved nothing more than to include links to Withcfinder General and Ghostwatch, but, alas, they are available only on region 2, and since Amazon.com doesn't keep such fare, my hands were tied.
You can pick them up at www.amazon.co.uk though, although i'm not sure what they're shipping etc costs.
Great honourable mentions there, and whilst i wouldn't personally say Deep Blue Sea was a shocker of any sort, i did enjoy it tremendously. It was a hell of a lot of fun, is what.
I really should have had The Thing on this list, and The Fly too, but look out for them in The Duke's no-doubt forthcoming Best Remakes Of All Ever.
The Dream Warriors controversy rages on.
5 - jadester
i agree that this list will guide me to try new films. I haven't seen most of the ones you mention (altho i have heard of them), and seeing no-nonsense synopses without having to find the dvds themselves in some huge highstreet store is good. Also i know you're for real, and i share at least some of your taste in films, so that's a good indication for me =+)
6 - Toby
In defense of Deep Blue Sea: I sat in that cinema and I remember at points the tension was almost too much (I particularly remember the scene where the woman returns to pick up something and there's a great scene as she delicately descends the steps in to the water, and the camera remains focused on her feet, moving from the air to under the water as she walks down.) - I don't know if this commentary has just outed me as a big pussy terrified of computer generated sharks, but such is the luck of the internet.
Further honourable mentions: Don't Look Now, and another great ending would be Wicker Man. And aside from Fly, is there no Cronenburg here? I can't think of which one it should be..videdrome is good, but shouldn't break top 15.
7 - Toby
further evidence I'm a pussy. I've heard great things about Cannibal Holocaust and Irreversible, but will not see either one. Somehow my stomach has got a little more squeamish as I've grown older until now at 28 the prospect of outright gore and excessive violence puts me off
8 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Toby, Dont Look Now never really did much for me, to be honest. The Wicker Man, however, is amazing, and debated wether it or Witchfinderr General should be on here. In the end i opted for Price.
Also, nothing "pussy"-like about not wanting to see Cannibal Holocaust or Irreversible (and i don't mean that in a patronising way either). Neither one is suitable for anyone to just throw on. Both are seriously disturbing, and it took a long time to shake some of the imagery from mine skull.
9 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Toby - i've put Ghostwatch, witchfinder general and anything else that isn't available through amazon.com on my own site at The Duke's Store so if you click on the links you can see how postage and so on works out. Anything else will be on blogcritics, but stuff thats not available for to link here, i'll put on my own site. Thanks folks. plug over.
10 - Jim Carruthers
I scrolled through this so fast it flung me back to the home page, how bad is that?
Anyways, I didn't really read this, though, I will give a big stripy hair shout out to "Bride of Frankenstein"
But I am watching what could be the best kung fu movie ever starring Jewish chix from New Jersey.
So just grasp your own bad self firmly.
11 - Jim Carruthers
After having read the list, it is missing the one movie which really, in my adult life, scared the beejebus out of me: "The Rapture". Made by the same dude who made other apocalyptic movies, this bit of stuff, which isn't available to the public, which is how fucking scary it is, just gave me nightmares for weeks.
Great soundtrack, lots of hot Mimi Rogers, and the end of the world.
Gives "The Prophesy" a run for it's money, tackles it, and yanks up its underpants for Damien to laugh at.
12 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Jim, i've been wanting to see that flick you mention for ages!
I just can't get enough of the old Christian paranoia.
13 - Ashok K. Banker
Don't mind if I chip in with what seems to be the 13th comment here! Great list. Terrifically written too--I like the way you just put it out there, man. I even agree with some of your choices...only some of them though. What I like is the up-front way you just go-get your point across. Gimme more 13 Best Lists.
Your 13th Commentor.