The Mighty Jungle (1964)

Directors:

Arnold Belgard
David DaLie

Writers:

Arnold Belgard (story) (narration)
David DaLie (story)

Release Date:

7 October 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure

Plot:

A South American expedition is in search of fortune thought to be hidden in an Lost Aztec city. While...

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Cast

Marshall Thompson	...	Marsh Connors
David DaLie	...	Dave Reardon
Antonio Gutiérrez		(as Anthony Gutierriz)
Rosenda Monteros	...	Orica
Andrés Soler
José Jasso
José Chávez
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lou Krugman	...	Narrator (voice)

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA | Mexico

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Filming Locations:

Democratic Republic Of Congo

Company:

Mexico Films S.A.

Trivia:

Originally filmed as "The Sacred Idol," the film was co-produced by Edward Nassour, actor Jeffrey Hunter and David DaLie. The original direction was by DaLie, Ismael Rodríguezand Edward Nassour. After Nassour's death, his brother William sold the film to producer Robert Patrick who had additional scenes filmed with actor Marshall Thompson. In the original version, the music score was composed by Les Baxter and is retained in the later version. A Stereo LP of the score was released on Capital Records (Capital ST1293) and lists Nassour as the films producer on the cover of the album jacket.

Movie Connections:

Edited from La ciudad sagrada (1959)

The World Must Be Warned!

Before I start this review, I must make one point. When I review a film, I make sure I see the entire thing no matter how foul it is. If it is so bad that I walk out, I won't review it. I suffered through this so that you, the IMDb user, will have ample warning. Don't let my agony be wasted.

Where should I begin? Echoing other reviewers, I can confirm that this film's 'plot' is virtually indescribable in any specific way. As far as I can tell, a guide in the Amazon loses the group he is responsible for only to be hired to locate them again. Somehow this involves an American naturalist in the Congo. Virtually the entire film is dominated by a ceaseless narrative. Veteran actor Marshall Thompson is little more than an image on the screen. Any dialogue he and the other actors had was virtually eradicated by the drone of the narrator's voice. Characterizing this film as dull, confusing, incoherent, and pointless is a

grotesque understatement. The extensive use of stock footage makes this more of a travelogue than the exciting jungle adventure I thought I had rented. Is this the worst movie ever made? Well, if it isn't it is certainly a compelling candidate for the dishonor. Please, please, please save yourself the loss of money and your precious time. Avoid at all costs!

In a side-note, this film absolutely deserves to be on the bottom 100 list.

However, for it to qualify, it must receive at least 625 votes. One can only hope that this film is never seen by that many IMDb users.