JUNGLE MASTER

1972
Italy
Aka Karzan il favoloso uomo della giungla (I)
Director : Miles Deem [Demofilo Fidani]
Story & screenplay: Demofilo Fidani, Mila Vitelli
Music : Lallo Gori
Cinematography : Franco Villa
Cast : Johhny Kissmuller (Karzan), Simone Blondell (Shiran), Ettore Manni (Fox), Roger Browne (Carter), Crazy Matthews [Attilio Severini] (Crazy), Carla Mancina, Attilo Dottesio, Melu Valente (Monica), Edward Grant, Jerry Ross

Director Demofilo Fidani has truly outdone himself here, with possibly the crowning achievement of a demented career. For Jungle Master is undoubtedly one of the most ridiculous films ever made. Period. While his previous titles, such as One Damned Day at Dawn... Django Meets Sartana (Quel maledetto giorno d'inverno... Django e Sartana all'ultimo, 71) or Nevada Kid (Per una bara piena di dollari, 70), display a haywire manic energy, incomprehensible plotlines and moments of unexpected style, this is simply out to lunch - and not coming back until next week.

Following the discovery of some old footage of a wild man shot deep in the jungle, an expedition is arranged to find and capture him. Led by big game hunter Fox (Ettore Manni) and aristocratic financier Carter (Roger Browne), they are soon introduced to a suitable guide, Crazy ('We call him Crazy…He's a very unusual man'). Before long they are coming up against all of the usual hi-jinx to be found in this type of movie. Deadly creatures, rampant stock footage (please, never let me experience the term 'Here is a herd of water buffalo' ever again) and big lakes that are 'infested with (two) crocodiles' (thankfully, they have their 'rubber boats' to help them across).

Their problems are further exacerbated when they stumble into a hostile tribe led by Lee Scratch Perry overdosing on speed. With the exception of Crazy, who gets a spear in the chest for his troubles ('Good old Crazy…'), they are all captured. Fortunately, however, they are rescued by the aforementioned wild man, Karzan (Johnny Kissmuller) and his slightly tubby mate, Shiran (Simone Blondell) - who spend most of the time running around in slow motion like escapees from a dog-food advert. Showing distinct signs of ingratitude they take the shaggy pair prisoner, intending to 'civilise' them (or, according to their moral sensibilities, sell them to a freakshow - although it could be argued to be the same thing). With only a mournful look at Crazy's grave (a small rock with 'Crazy' chalked onto it) they start to make their way back. Karzan, however, has different ideas.

No matter how preposterous the plot sounds, it is the height of restraint compared to the actual stupidity of this quite astounding piece of cinema. Blessed with blissfully idiotic dialogue ('We're dealing with an authentic human!'), an extremely silly soundtrack and Fidani's trademark abnormal pacing, continuity glitches and acting histrionics from the extras, there's really no let up in the outrageousness. Just when you think he's outdone himself, a scene of even greater ineptitude confronts you. Highlights would have to include the pipe-cleaner spider (Black Widow, no less) shot from harassed lady's leg with blow dart ('Aim for the nerve centre, Crazy!'), the pathetic snake wrestling and, just to cap it all, the man-in-a-gorilla-suit that appears towards the climax. Now normally I find men-in-gorilla-suits pretty tiresome, but here it just seems to add to the fun in a 'heck, why not' kind of fashion. It all ends up with Karzan and Shiran flouncing around on a beach (a beach - where the hell did that come from ???) while their monkey 'Chica' writes 'The End' in the sand. Almost worthy of Bunuel, and there's the truth.

I don't know who the hell 'Crazy Matthews' was, but he deserves some kind of 'coarse acting' award. He also bears a worrying similarity to Hunt Powers, who had appeared in several earlier Fidani films (postscript: fortunately it isn't actually Hunt, it's Italian character actor Atilio Severini). Other recognisable actors embarrassing themselves in this include Ettore Manni and Roger Browne, both of whom had enjoyed some success in the sixties.

To put it simply - a must see !!!

Matt Blake