Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Cut and Run
1985, directed by Ruggero Deodato, released by Anchor Bay

Movie
The director of the legendary Cannibal Holocaust makes a film that is a little bit of the aforementioned film, with equal parts Apocalypse Now and Miami Vice thrown in for extra goodness. And what can you say about a cast that includes Willie Aames, Lisa Blount, Richard Lynch, Karen Black, Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes) and a pre-ER Eriq LaSalle? I not only recognized these stars - but I also recognized that some of them can't act worth a lick!

The story: A Miami reporter and cameraman are investigating drug traffic into their city. Their work leads them to the South American jungle - there they hope to get an interview with a supposedly dead, former associate of Jim Jones (of Guyana and Kool-Aid fame). And maybe they can track down the boss's son (Willie Aames) too? He is missing, and mysteriously appears in a photo with drug smugglers and the Jim Jones colleague. What they find, are violent natives, ruthless drug manufacturers, and a lunatic former Colonel (Richard Lynch).

Video
1.85:1 anamorphic transfer. Quality overall is pretty decent. Yet, this is probably the best that the movie has looked in a long time. The restored scenes, previously cut from the film for US release, seemed to be of a little lower quality, at times.

Audio
English and Italian Dolby Digital mono tracks. Scenes are added to the movie for the first time in the US - and there is no English dubbing for these scenes. When you watch the movie with the English dub, some scenes will only have Italian language - so English subtitles will pop-up. This is stated on the back of the DVD case, no surprise there. And a small price to pay to get this movie uncut in the US for the first time.

Trash Factor
The gore in this film is pretty good - not as frequent or as relentless as I would like, due to the inclusion of this thing called a "plot". But there are some good special effects - dismemberment, decapitations, bodies split in half, oh boy!

Quite a bit of nudity, the full frontal type. Although, unfortunately, a lot of the nude shots are of dead women - if that makes a difference to you. Valentina Forte was a discovery for this film, I think - she is quite easy on the eyes. And it is hot in the jungle - thin cotton tank-tops are very clingy.

Extras
Theatrical trailer. The film has a brief introduction by director Ruggero Deodato. Fifteen minute documentary on the film, as well. Good package for an unknown film.

Packaging
Cover artwork is so-so. Chapter stop insert card has a poster reproduction on one side - very cheesy, this should have been the cover image!

Overall
Definitely buy or rent Cut and Run if you are a fan of Ruggero Deodato, or simply want something a little change of pace from a lot of the mass, assembly line produced Italian horror / cannibal / giallo movies. For what it is, this movie does a good job - it kept me entertained, and it gave me some gore and nudity and laughs.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD