The Naked Jungle
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Movie Reviews of The Naked Jungle
Movie Review: A review and a touch of history about this movie.
Summary: 5 Stars
Yea, I've got this one to. First of all I didn't look up the credit scroll to make sure I got my spelling correct for some of these names and words...so bear with me.
Point one: I remember reading this short story when I was a freshman a zillion years ago...and if I'm not wrong I think I read the actual report the original story came from--I'm not sure. But I'll tell you some of what I remember, it should make your viewing pleasure just a little more informed or at least a 'little' more entertaining.
Point two: I remember in the original story that was made from the original 'report' Lanigen used a fire engine filled with gasoline "like a flamethrower" to fight the ants with. I remember a horse or cow got loose from the main compound and ran out amongest the ants and was devoured within thirty minutes.
Point three: I seem to remember...in the original report by a british or french soldier/officer on a gunboat/canoe (I don't remember which) they had been passing by villages for days that were abandoned...they didn't know why. The boat or canoe was heading up stream to find out what was going on. Somesort of fragmented reports had reached them so the government sent an expedition up river to investigate. (Remember now, this is from my memory 45 years or more ago, and I only read it once.) On the second or third day they decided to make a landing and check out the village. (The guy who wrote this report went with them ashore). One of the first things he spotted was movement to his left or right side...low to the ground--I guess living in the jungle your vision sharpens a lot. Upon closer investigation he saw a large column of army ants race out from under or behind one of the huts and seemingly take cover under something. As if hiding from him. Futher investigation showed the village hastly abandoned with food still laying around as if dropped. The natives or other people from the boat told him the village was deserted because the army ants were invading the area. The more the man who wrote the report watched these ants in action the more he felt as if they were intelligent...that he couldn't shake the feeling when they ran out from under the hut and to cover they were doing so he wouldn't see them-like a military unit taking position for ambush. I seem to remember his friends telling him army ants were like that. They would try to encircle their prey or close it in on three sides then they would build up their forces by climbing on top of one another until they were as big as it, then fall on it...(hmmm, I don't know if I can believe that one.)
Point four: Once again, it seems like I remember this guy reporting they covered an area two miles wide and twenty miles long.
Now, how much of this is real...beats me. I'm sorry I don't really know the truth about it...maybe the next one of you who writes a review will look it up and find out. I think the original story was entitled Lanigen and the Ants...I'm sorry but I don't remember the title of the original report.
Anyway, about the movie;
PROS:
1. It stars Ellanor Parker (the cutie) Charlton Heston (the force of nature) and William Conrad. That's a star.
2. Fine writing, that's a star.
3. Neat idea carried out fine with a few subplots that add to the neatness of the idea. That's a star.
4. Well acted. That's a star.
5. Well directed. That's a star.
CONS:
1. I wish it had been half an hour longer...you know more, a little more here and there and some extra upriver time when they investigate the strange occurances there.
Here's another point. Have you ever heard anybody say they "...didn't fail or quite, I was beaten...there's a difference." well this is the movie it came from.
And finally: Just incase you didn't know, this movie is about a plantation owner whose plantation is attacked, invaded, and literally eaten by invading army ants. And, as a published Science Fiction novelist with only one award to his name, (don't worry, you've never heard of me) The Naked Jungle--no matter what anybody says--is not Science Fiction. No, it is a fictional account of something that really happened...it is Fiction. It may lean a little toward horror, but is not horror...It Is Fiction.
So get out the popcorn and dogs, this is a serious movie, buy it.
Bye!
I'M back! After I wrote this review I did a quick google search and read about fifty of the first listings including 'Teddy' Roosevelts 1919 expeditionary notes. Despite most scientist playing down the army ant's swarm capabilities I did run across one news paper story from Brazil stating something to the effect of (this is not a quote) "...this town was invaded by army ants measuring one mile wide and one point eight miles deep. All emergency personnel went out to meet them...not all returned. Flame throwers were called in when the town was almost lost to the invaders. The cheif of police is one of those who didn't come back..." In all the science reports everybody seems to dodge around these stories about 'super colonies' were one colony picks up other colonies and pose a united front. Hmmm, like I always say at this time--beats me. BUT it sure makes a guy wonder. Bye!
Movie Review: the story about the ants
Summary: 4 Stars
actually the story about the ants takes up only about half this film; the first half is about charleton heston's mail order bride, eleanor parker, who is excellent in one of her 2 best roles,( the other being 1945's "pride of the marines" w/john garfield)but when the ant story moves center stage, the movie really takes off. the technicolor is outstanding, as are the special effects.as a side note, it's interesing to see william conrad as the commissionar. on the original radio broadcast of this story, then called "leinengen vs. the ants", it was he who had the heston role.on the whole an enjoyable adventure film w/ a touch of science fiction.Movie Review: Wow!
Summary: 5 Stars
Charlton Heston is a handsome, troubled man who has his brother send him a mate. He has a beautiful home in the jungle and I guess is too busy to find his own. Are there any women in the jungle? Not any like Spitfire, Eleanor Parker, which shocks him with her beauty and personality. She is also shocked with his masculine body and good looks. There are times when you would like to smack him around, but then... The romance is definately there, he tries to protect her from ... well you'll see. It's romantic in an animal-like way. The ending is great! I love the action and the Romance!!Movie Review: Eleanor - Oh God!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Marabunta, Shmarabunta - who cares about all that. It's worth ten times the price just to look at Eleanor Parker for two hours! Movie Review: Heston & Parker equals spontaneous combustion!
Summary: 5 Stars
I like this film a lot - Charlton Heston plays a 34 yr old virgin owner named Christopher of a massive plantation who marries a woman by proxy without ever meeting her. Eleanor Parker plays the woman that he finds is his stunningly gorgeous wife "Joanna." What an incredibly beautiful woman - the hair, blue eyes and ivory skin! Parker looks like a porcelain doll - she's so stunning in this color film that it just takes your breath away. Her character is strong and deliciously feminine. Christopher is both awed and intimidated by his "luck" in such a terrific catch. He knows absolutely nothing about women and never bedded one. Boy, is his character sexually repressed. He freaks out when he discovers Joanna has been married before and widowed. Memorable line "Lady, the piano you are playing has never been played before" - subtle hint that Joanna is used goods in his mind. He cannot forgive her and wants her to go back to where she came from - New Orleans. As he is trying to get rid of her, the ants show up and she proves her strength & character to him. The sexual tension and chemistry between Heston and Parker is electric. And yes, Heston is so handsome in this film.