Antonio Margheriti's The Last Hunter (1980) Review

War… what is it good for? Absolutely nothing, some will say. But I disagree. War is good for ‘mantertainment’! Brutish men getting all sweaty and profane, high-fiving, flexing their guns and acting like complete idiots – Hoo Ha! That’s actual soldiers; so just imagine how these grunts are portrayed in an Italian exploitation flick! It’s a character sure to fuel to the fire of misandrist’s everywhere.

So, in typical Italian exploitation style, director Antonio Margheriti (director of Cannibal Apocalypse), with the help of script writer Dardano Sacchetti (New York Ripper), has riffed (read: ripped) off two of the greatest ‘Nam classics in American cinema; The Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now, and created his own spin on the Vietnam conflict. Needless to say your brain isn’t required.



Captain Henry Morris (David Warbeck - The Beyond) has just been sent on a secret mission deep in the heart of VC occupied territory: his goal? To destroy a propaganda tower that is broadcasting very anti-American messages. The timing isn’t that great, as Henry has just lost his best bud in a recent attack on their base, regardless he’s the kind of cat that “Obeys orders” and trots off, well jumps from a helicopter, into enemy terrain to join a band of merry men. We can tell which men are worth their salt by looks alone; George Washington (Tony King of Cannibal Apocalypse) and Carlos (Bobby Rhodes from Demons) are clearly the toughest and most likely to last longer than the guide and token honky.

Jane Foster (Tisa Farrow from Anthropophagus), an American photographer is out in the war zone trying to find meaning in why the two closest people to her had to die there and has hooked up with George and Carlos. Together they must try their best to avoid capture, getting killed by the VC and crazed American renegade troops.



The first thing that hits you when watching The Last Hunter is how violent it is. Sure, War films are typically violent, but this one has cranked the carnage up to 11 and seeing one cliché after another get mangled and maimed becomes quiet fun. Intestines spill, heads are blown off and rats eat POW’s! The gore factor is thoroughly entertaining, it’s like Lucio Fulci left the zombies at home and made a War flick! The dialogue is undeniably laughable, but if you have alcohol and buddies with you, you’ll find the lines instantly quotable.



Sure, The Last Hunter can be dismissed as pure trash, which is fine. But, heaven help me, I was thoroughly engaged and amused from start to finish. It will not be deemed a ‘good’ film any time soon, but as sheer brainless fun; there a few that can come close to it. David Warbeck proves to be a likeable leading man and seeing as he’s in almost every frame of the film it’s a testament to his acting abilities that he doesn’t grate on the nerves. Tisa Farrow however, is pretty much exactly like she is in Zombie Flesh Eaters and Anthropophagus. Is she constantly stoned or just really, really dumb looking?

Vipco released this awhile back, uncut, but cropped at 1.85:1. Dark Sky have corrected this and released a beautiful looking 2.35:1 presentation; so those with a multi-region player should opt for this release. You’ll be pleased you did, as the film truly has to be seen to be believed. It’s loud, crude and entirely better for it! Although the final twist leaves much to be desired; it’s bananas and totally unnecessary, but what else would you have expected?



DVD: Dark Sky Films
Running Time: 96mins Approx
Extras: Featurette, Trailers, Stills Gallery