I'm not entirely sure where to start with this movie, but I guess we should start with the fact this movie is based on the true story of convicted cannibal Armin Meiwes. I won't go too far with the story, click his name to see a lot more useful info on Wikipedia. Sometime around 2003 you may have heard about the cannibal who posted an ad online that he was looking for someone to eat & another man willingly responded? If you have, then you basically know exactly what this movie is about. If you haven't heard the story click here to get caught up.

This movie is quite drawn out the first 20 minutes or so, but basically starts out with Meiwes, The Man, looking for a male companion. Meiwes has a slight interest in cannibalism & we know this because of all the cannibal related items we see in his home at the beginning. Before the 1st 20 minutes it's not exactly 100% clear the guy is a cannibal, so for all we know he's extremely morbid & just wants to make a love connection. The Man is rejected several times & smacked down at least once before he decides to go online & post about how he's looking for a willing victim.

He gets a response from another man, The Flesh, & eventually the 2 men meet up & go back to Meiwes place. The two mutually agree on how things will take place & neither one is pictured as a victim, they're both willing participants. Once they enter The Man/Meiwes home the movie turns dark, homoerotic, grotesque, demented, vile, & extremely visual. As a viewer you will see more penis, butt, body hair, & male love than most heterosexual men will care too see in their lifetime. This movie follows the story relatively closely to the real incident or at least everything that's publicly known & this movie is definitely not for the squeamish. If you thought Flowers of Flesh and Blood was sick, then be prepared because Cannibal takes disgusting to a whole 'nother level.

If you're not a homophobe then you'll have a little easier time making it through this film than anyone who is. I will openly admit I am slightly homophobic, particularly having to see 2 men having sexual relations. We are spared from seeing real penetration, but you will see just about everything else. It's a sick sick movie both in terms of gore & the perverse atmosphere, but everyone who is into gorror/gore should be required to view it at least once, but be prepared for it to leave a sting.

Really, as far as gore is concerned we see the failed attempt of The Man biting off The Flesh's penis, what appears to be a bleeding-stub orgasm in a bathtub, a really sick bowel release, then ultimately the viewer gets to see the dismemberment which is graphic, but partially hidden by dark lighting at times, followed nicely by the meal. It's not like German Splatter, or gore for the sake of gore, but it definately doesn't try to be a Hollywood big budget movie trying to get an R rating. If this movie were to attempt to get a US rating, it'd be lucky to get any other than an X or XXX.

I bought the DVD & it's a pretty bare release. As far as packaging you get the case, the DVD disc, & a slightly short artwork-case insert, no booklets. On the DVD, you get a still menu with the options to start the movie, select a chapter, or watch any one of 7 trailers for other Unearthed releases, but no other extras or audio options such as a commentary track or any subtitles. The video quality is questionable at times mostly during the outdoor shots, but I believe it was probably shot that way to give it an artsy look. The audio is only 2.0, that should be ok because this film has very little dialog.

I don't see how the hell this movie could get a European release unless they try to call it an art house flick. I can't really say the transfer is horrible on Unearthed's release because we know nothing about the source or have any other releases to compare it to at the moment. I also think some Canadians might have issues getting this one across the border due to the gomorrah censorship laws up there.

Normal people should stay away from this movie. Horror fans should stay away from this movie. Gore Hounds, Gay Horror/Porn Fans, & Fans of Vile Trash such as August Underground & Flowers of Flesh and Blood, you are required to view this. If it doesn't scar you, it's bound to at least leave a nasty impression. It's one sick squirt of shit, so if you must watch it, WATCH WITH EXTREME CAUTION!!!!!

KFelon