Cut and Run (1986)

From Ruggero Deodato, the infamous director of "Cannibal Holocaust", comes this return to gory and sadistic jungle-based goings-on. It's an interesting mixture of the Italian jungle genre (albeit without cannibalism), drug-based action pictures, and blood and guts horror. Overall, it doesn't make nearly the same impact as "Cannibal Holocaust", but it's still a solid diversion for any cult movie lover who is into this sort of thing.Lisa Blount and Leonard Mann play reporter Fran Hudson and her cameraman Mark Ludman, who are hot on the trail of a story involving wars between competing drug cartels. They come to realize that a man named Brian Horne (Richard Lynch) is involved. It turns out Horne was a prominent associate of the notorious cult leader Jim Jones. Fran and Mark are also trying to find Tommy Allo (Willie Aames), son of their boss Bob (Richard Bright); Tommy has been prisoner to one of these cartels for some time.As you can see, there are a fair amount of familiar American actors in this rousing bit of entertainment. Karen Black makes a "special appearance", a young Eriq La Salle plays an informant, and the legendary cult actor Michael Berryman turns up repeatedly as a relentless and REALLY nasty white henchman. His scenes tend to be the most fun. Blount doesn't look too happy to be here, and Aames is too whiny and annoying, but the rest of the cast do some good work. Sexy Valentina Forte, Deodatos' girlfriend at the time, exploitation veteran John Steiner, Barbara Magnolfi ("Suspiria"), and Ottaviano Dell'Acqua (the worm eye zombie in "Zombi 2") co-star.One gory highlight involves a person being ripped in half. The location shooting adds a lot of atmosphere. And ever reliable Claudio Simonetti of the groups Goblin and Daemonia composed the groovy music score.Not too memorable once it's over, but it does hold ones' attention.Seven out of 10.

After Ruggero Deodato made Cannible Holocaust studios granted him with a budget, Because of it was a smash at the box office. Instead of doing a sequel he leaned more towards another movie. But the studios wanted something some what similar. So you get CUT AND RUN.CUT AND RUN staring Lisa Blount (AN OFFICER AND GENTLEMAN) and Willie Aames (EIGHT IS ENOUGH) is a bloodbath of fun. The story is written like any other Italien film from the 80's. In other words, if you are looking for something like Apacolypse Now, or a so called great film "Saving Private Ryan" or in the wrong DVD Section. This Story hold the Equivalince of Death Wish 3. Entertainment Value and thats it. But, hey, that is more then fine with me.The Film also Co-stars Karen Black and Michael Berryman (THE HILLS HAVE EYE'S) and appearances by Richard Lynch and Eriq Lasalle. A perfect line up to an eighty's EuroShock feature. The film mostly takes place in the jungle like most Italien films at the time. And our main characters find themselves in the middle of an intricate drug war, and drug slave camps that appear to be the descendent's of Jim Jones. The characters at first wanted to film a story but now once "stuff" hit the fan, are in the game of survival.The Uncut version has great Decapitations, People being split in half, rape, and torture scenes. It is also shot slightly above average, the camera move's to the feel of the film. Nothing like Sergio or Dario, but above average.The score is by Cluadio Simonetti (The first time Cluadio and Ruggero Worked together) and actually fell short compared to his prior work with Goblin. But still, falling short from greatness is not to bad.Overall if you are an Italy film fan, and you like Fulci, and Argento, this is one you will not like to miss. Also, this is a great film to introduce Italien EuroShock films to someone new. It's got an American Style to it that many can Relate to. I hope this has been help-full, enjoy. (Oh and the replay value is very high)

Not a cannibal in sight in this jungle, but that doesn't keep the almighty Rugero Deodato from making another nasty action movie, largely set in sweltering swamps and amidst brutal savages. The plot is weak compared to "Cannibal Holocaust" and a lot less shocking, but the action is merciless and exclusively meant for people with a strong stomach. Two journalists, specialized in drug stories, go on a jungle mission to unravel a network of drug transportation, led by a pivot figure who presumable died a couple of years earlier. Meanwhile, they also have to search for the son of a media tycoon who was kidnapped and hold prisoner in the same jungle. This is pure exploitation-gold with an excellent score, ingenious camera-work and very raw editing. Michael Berryman, the creep from "The Hills Have Eyes", has a staggering supportive role as – surprise, surprise – an insane madman. Don't bother too much about the lame acting and many plot holes, this is undemanding but fun stuff!

unfortunately i could only view the softcore, cut, australia version. but even in this mangled version it was still an interesting film. while there were bad moments, and the young all american boy was one of the worst actors ive ever seen, this was an extremly intriguing film. it was a fun action romp, but deodata's direction is superb. there is a real slash of cannibal holocaust in this film, which adds so much more to it. instead of just being a simple action film, it becomes a very disturbing adn intriguing look into the dark world of cults and mad leaders. the occasionally documentary and mondo aspects add an impressive frisson to the scenes which shouldve looked like left overs from an Arnie or Sly flick.