Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (1989)

The government hires a feminist at the local university to track down the Piranha Women living in the uncharted Avocado Jungle (westernmost outpost is San Bernardino) to convince them to ... See full summary »

Director:

J.F. Lawton (as J.D. Athens)

Writer:

J.F. Lawton (as J.D. Athens)

Stars:

Shannon Tweed, Bill Maher, Karen M. Waldron

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shannon Tweed	...	Dr. Margo Hunt
Bill Maher	...	Jim
Karen M. Waldron	...	Bunny (as Karen Mistal)
Adrienne Barbeau	...	Dr. Kurtz
Brett Stimely	...	Jean-Pierre
Barry Primus	...	Ford Maddox
James MacKrell	...	Dean Stockwell
Paul Ross	...	Col. Mattel
Vicky Varner	...	Barracuda Leader
Alan David Gelman	...	Donnahew Leader
Pat Crawford Brown	...	Secretary
Christopher Doyle	...	Fred
Lloyd Gordon	...	Sam
James Trenton	...	Unsavory
Steve Reid	...	Bushito

Storyline

The government hires a feminist at the local university to track down the Piranha Women living in the uncharted Avocado Jungle (westernmost outpost is San Bernardino) to convince them to move to a reservation condo in Malibu. She hires a guide at the edge of the jungle, a male chauvinist pig, and they have many arguments about men and women as they work their way in, and eventually confront the Piranha Women.

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Plot Keywords:

voyeur | white panties | wedding dress | female frontal nudity | breasts | 

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Taglines:

These women are serious about their taste in men!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Horror | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 March 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jungle Heat

Filming Locations:

University of California Botanic Gardens, Riverside, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beyond Infinity,Gaucamolle Pictures,Phantom Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is the source for the song "Piranha Women of the Avocado Jungle of Death" by Christine Lavin.

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Goofs

(at around 81 mins) In the scene at Malibu Estates, two hands are visible holding the "Cultural Assimilation: Piranha Women" sign in one of the shots. In another shot seconds later, the person holding the sign is gone.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[Fred and Sam are hacking their way through the Avocado Jungle with machetes, then pause to take stock of their situation]
Fred: We're lost.
Sam: No, we're not - look! Over there!
[the camera zooms in on an avocado hanging from a twig. The two guys approach it, and Sam pulls the avocado into his hand. Fred takes it and stashes away]
Fred: Sam.
Sam: Yeah?
Fred: I think we should head back. We're getting in too deep.
Sam: Oh, don't - Wait a second. What's that I hear? It sounds like... women! Laughing!
Fred: Let's get outta...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

The first video release by Colourbox Video was cut by 16 seconds for a 15 certificate to remove a scene where a ninja uses nunchuks. At the time, the distributors were not allowed to release a video with the word 'cannibal' in the title - forcing them to change the title to 'Piranha Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death'. The 1999 video release by Metrodome Video was allowed to be called 'Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death' and was passed without cuts at the 12 certificate.

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Connections

Referenced in The Late Late Show with James Corden: Benedict Cumberbatch/Dennis Quaid/Molly Shannon/Ike Barinholtz (2016)

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Soundtracks

Boleggo
Written by Carl Dante (BMI) & Herbie Hind (BMI)
Courtesy of Intramusic Publishing
Published by Intramusic Publishing (BMI), Phantom Publishing (BMI)

User Reviews

A great satire on feminism and male/female relations

"Cannibal Women" is not only a movie that's so bad, it's good, it delivers right-on satirical jabs at feminism, machoism, and male/female relations. Not only do we have a conniving military and warring factions of cannibal women, but a local male tribe, "the Donahues".

The chemistry between Shannon Tweed and Bill Maher is perfect--this is definitely Tweed's best performance anywhere, and Maher is perfect as a chauvinistic, directionally-challenged jungle guide. Karen Mistal, who has the thankless job of playing college student/mindless bimbo/aspiring feminist/aspiring cannibal woman, plays her role without flaw, as well. Only Adrienne Barbeau, in a cameo role, seems stiff. But somehow, even her performance works.

For a low-budget comedy, this film surprisingly packs a lot of laughs and even a message or two. Great fun.