Cannibal Ferox

Cannibal Ferox

Year: 1981

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Umberto Lenzi

HorrorAdventureHorror the undead and monster classicsIntense violence and sexual transgressionExtreme gory horror and cannibalism

After watching his sister be raped and murdered, he vows revenge, planning a slow, brutal retaliation. Meanwhile, three friends who set out to disprove the myth of cannibalism encounter two fugitives who have enslaved a cannibal tribe in a quest for emeralds. The tribe, freed and enraged, turns against them.

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Timeline & Setting – Cannibal Ferox (1981)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Cannibal Ferox (1981). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Colombia, Amazon rainforest, native village

The story unfolds deep in the Colombian rainforest, moving between a harsh jungle landscape and an isolated native village. The area is dense, treacherous, and sparsely inhabited, creating a claustrophobic backdrop for a confrontation between outsiders and indigenous communities. This setting amplifies the tension around exploitation and the brutal consequences that befall those who intrude.

🌿 Jungle 🗺️ Remote Locale 🇨🇴 Colombia

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:44

Main Characters – Cannibal Ferox (1981)

Meet the key characters of Cannibal Ferox (1981), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rudy Davis (Danilo Mattei)

A determined and protective sibling who guides the group through the jungle. He shows resourcefulness and courage, striving to keep Gloria and Pat safe amid growing danger. Rudy’s perseverance and practical mindset anchor his attempts to survive the ordeal, even as the situation deteriorates.

🛡️ Protective 🗺️ Resourceful 🧭 Determined

Gloria Davis (Lorraine De Selle)

Rudy's sister who endures the ordeal and ultimately returns to civilization. Traumatized by the events, she crafts a controversial narrative for publication that seeks to debunk the cannibalism myth. Her actions reflect a complex mix of resilience, guilt, and the urge to influence how the story is remembered.

💔 Trauma survivor 🧭 Practical thinker 🖋️ Survivor-storyteller

Pat Johnson (Zora Kerova)

A naive but resilient young woman drawn into the expedition and manipulated by Mike. She endures captivity and a brutal fate in the jungle, displaying a tragic blend of vulnerability and stubborn will to survive.

🔥 Naive yet brave 🌟 Hopeful 🕊️ Endurance

Mike Logan (Giovanni Lombardo Radice)

A drug dealer whose greed drives the expedition into deadly territory. Charismatic yet predatory, he exploits others and escalates violence in a cocaine-fueled frenzy. His actions catalyze the cascade of betrayals and brutal outcomes that follow.

💰 Greedy 💊 Reckless 🔪 Violent

Joe Costolani (Walter Lucchini)

Mike’s business partner whose wounds and withdrawal reveal the pair’s true motives. He discloses their complicity in the region’s violence and exploitation, then meets a violent end as the natives’ retribution unfolds.

💼 Calculating 🗡️ Ruthless 🗣️ Reluctant truth-teller

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:44

Major Themes – Cannibal Ferox (1981)

Explore the central themes of Cannibal Ferox (1981), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗺️ Exploitation

The narrative centers on outsiders using violence and deceit to exploit local resources—emeralds and cocaine—while masking their crimes behind a veneer of myth. The jungle becomes a proving ground where greed and power overtake ethics. The theme emphasizes how colonial dynamics corrupt both the landscape and its inhabitants.

🩸 Violence

The film portrays brutal confrontations, captivity, and coercion within a hostile environment. Characters are pushed to their limits as loyalties fracture and survival instincts dominate. The cruelty surrounding the rescue attempt and subsequent fates highlights the film’s uncompromising depiction of violence.

🧭 Myth vs Reality

Gloria’s post-ordeal account spins a narrative that challenges the myth of cannibalism, while concealing the true motives of exploitation. The story critiques how myths are manufactured to justify brutality and preserve power structures. It shows the disconnect between sensational belief and grim truth.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:44

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Cannibal Ferox Summary

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Cannibal Ferox Summary

Cannibal Ferox Timeline

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Cannibal Ferox Timeline

More About Cannibal Ferox

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