The Last Hunter (1980)

Cynical Captain Henry Morris (well played with mucho macho aplomb by David Warbeck) takes an assignment to go behind enemy lines in order to destroy a Viet Cong radio tower that's broadcasting demoralizing anti-American propaganda to US troops. Photojournalist Jane (an appealing portrayal by the fetching Tisa Farrow) and a motley squad of soldiers assist Morris on his desperate mission.Director Antonio Margheriti keeps the entertaining story moving along at a constant quick pace, maintains a harsh gritty tone throughout, delivers a handy helping of gory violence, and stages the rousing action set pieces with considerable skill and brio. Moreover, this film earns extra points for its fierce anti-war stance which comes complete with an uncompromising downbeat ending. The excellent cast of familiar Italian trash cinema faces helps a whole lot: Tony King as the smooth George, Bobby Rhodes as the rugged Carlos, Margit Evelyn Newton as the bitter Carol, and, in an especially bravura turn, John Steiner as the unhinged Major Cash. Dardano Sacchetti's derivative script copies both "The Deer Hunter" and "Apocalypse Now" with merry slavish abandon. Franco Micalizzi's funky-throbbing score hits the get-down groovy spot. Ricardo Pallottini's slick widescreen cinematography provides an impressive glossy look. Good low-rent fun.

Antonio Margheriti's (CANNIBAL APOCALYPSE) first Macaroni Combat film, a genre that would become his final mainstay, is an outrageously, over-the-top thrill ride with no political agenda whatsoever.After witnessing the grim suicide of his shell-shocked buddy, a burned-out Army captain (David Warbeck, THE BEYOND) agrees to take on a final suicide mission with the help of two black soldier dudes (Tony King and Bobby Rhodes) and a fine-looking photojournalist (Tisa Farrow, ZOMBIE).As the first Macaroni Combat film about Vietnam, THE LAST HUNTER certainly delivers the exploitation goodness with just a hint of brief nudity. Although the script from Dardano Sacchetti is filled with unintentionally hilarious dialog, mainstream audiences may be turned off by the lack of historical context. Warbeck gives a good performance that is a literal reminiscent of Martin Sheen's Willard from APOCALYPSE NOW.And speaking of that Coppola epic, the Philippine locations in which the film was shot are in fact leftover sets. It comes to show that no matter how blatant the filmmakers are, THE LAST HUNTER is certainly a pleasure to look at just for the settings. Despite not being a good actress as her sister, Tisa does give some enthusiasm into the character and it works rather well.Turn off your brains and enjoy the mindless Italian action.

Once again, Antonio Margherreti manages to take Italian exploitation to another level, just like he did with Cannibal Apocalypse. The Last Hunter has it all: great cast, plenty of gore, funky soundtrack. It might be derivative of the Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now but you don't have to sit through an hour and a half of a wedding in order to see David Warbreck torching folks with a flamethrower! First off, the cast is packed with Italian B-Movies stars: David Warbreck (The Beyond), Tisa Farrow (Zombie Flesh Eaters), Tony King (Cannibal Apocalypse), John Steiner (Tenebrae), Bobby Rhodes (Demons), Margit Newton (Zombie Creeping Flesh) and Massimo Vanni (Street Law). Each actor is given their own space within the movie to do their bit and they all come through - King's last stand against the Vietcong, Steiner's insane captain, Massimo Vanni's usual stunt fuelled antics, and through it all, David Warbreck laying wasted to half of South East Asia.Still, Margherreti's no fool. There's a grim air to the film, as each exploitative element is nicely contrasted by a blast of grimness, especially the radio broadcasts telling the GIs to go home to their spouses. Plus, the ending is either really poignant or completely daft, depending on your mood at the time.Don't be put off by the non-horror story line - The Last Hunter is another essential film for the collection.

Although I'm a fan of the war movie genre I hardly could get through this. This movie has 20 minutes of good, believable and tense scenes - the rest is really cheap and not even entertaining. I trusted some of the reviews here and bought the DVD unfortunately. Do not waste your money on this one - see the real A.N.Redux instead. ... not to mention the STRANGE soundtrack (No - you will NOT love it)!