Once again, Antonio Margherreti manages to take Italian exploitation to another level, just like he did with Cannibal Apocalypse. The Last Hunter has it all: great cast, plenty of gore, funky soundtrack. It might be derivative of the Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now but you don't have to sit through an hour and a half of a wedding in order to see David Warbreck torching folks with a flamethrower! First off, the cast is packed with Italian B-Movies stars: David Warbreck (The Beyond), Tisa Farrow (Zombie Flesh Eaters), Tony King (Cannibal Apocalypse), John Steiner (Tenebrae), Bobby Rhodes (Demons), Margit Newton (Zombie Creeping Flesh) and Massimo Vanni (Street Law). Each actor is given their own space within the movie to do their bit and they all come through - King's last stand against the Vietcong, Steiner's insane captain, Massimo Vanni's usual stunt fuelled antics, and through it all, David Warbreck laying wasted to half of South East Asia.
Still, Margherreti's no fool. There's a grim air to the film, as each exploitative element is nicely contrasted by a blast of grimness, especially the radio broadcasts telling the GIs to go home to their spouses. Plus, the ending is either really poignant or completely daft, depending on your mood at the time.
Don't be put off by the non-horror story line - The Last Hunter is another essential film for the collection.
Still, Margherreti's no fool. There's a grim air to the film, as each exploitative element is nicely contrasted by a blast of grimness, especially the radio broadcasts telling the GIs to go home to their spouses. Plus, the ending is either really poignant or completely daft, depending on your mood at the time.
Don't be put off by the non-horror story line - The Last Hunter is another essential film for the collection.