White Cannibal Queen Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

White Cannibal Queen Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 29, 2025

The cannibal subgenre is not known for producing works of art. This junky trend of ultraviolent pictures managed to have its moment in the sun during the late 1970s and early ‘80s, supplying cheap thrills for horror fans looking to test their endurance levels. For the majority of these offerings, a test of patience levels is a more accurate description of the viewing experience, and 1980’s “White Cannibal Queen” (a.k.a. “Mondo Cannibale”) is certainly one of the most tedious of the bunch. Credit director Jesus “Jess” Franco, who never met a real-time event he didn’t like, and he brings his famous indifference to pacing and excitement to the endeavor, which offers next to nothing in plot, performances, and suspense. “White Cannibal Queen” is mostly about watching characters walk through a jungle or be devoured by the locals, and that’s not enough to support the viewing experience.

Professor Jeremy (Al Cliver) has traveled to South America with his family to study tropical diseases, but wife Elisabeth and daughter Lena aren’t comfortable in the region, filled with anxiety. Their fears are realized when members of the Gaevis, a cannibalistic tribe, storm Jeremy’s boat, devouring Elisabeth and taking the professor prisoner, chopping off one of his arms. Lena is left to fend for herself, soon discovered by a tribal elder, who accepts the child as the next great “white goddess.” Jeremy manages to escape and make his way back to New York City, haunted by all he’s experienced, including the loss of his daughter. Unable to accept his fate, Jeremy forms a new expedition into Gaevis country, joined by Ana (Lina Romay), his doctor, and initial trip backer Barbara (Shirley Night), who can’t resist the adventure, bringing along her lover, Charles (Olivier Mathot), and a few others. Returning to the scene of the crime, Jeremy and the gang venture deep into the jungle on the hunt for Lena, who’s become a prized member of the Gaevis, protected by her mate, Yakake (Antonio Mayans).

The horror of being eaten alive is periodically communicated in “White Cannibal Queen.” Franco elects to use slow-mo to detail these horrible events, including an early encounter with Elisabeth, who’s pulled apart on her boat, digested by hungry members of the Gaevis, who threaten to smear their KISS-adjacent face paint. Gore is portioned out into select moments of organ-munching encounters, popping up every 20 minutes to keep viewers engaged as they wait patiently for some form of escalation when it comes to the horrors of the jungle. “White Cannibal Queen” doesn’t pursue a general air of unpleasantness. Instead, it sticks with Jeremy and his recovery, getting used to life with a single arm while inching closer to Ana. He’s filled with guilt about leaving Lena behind, and while time passes in the story, Franco doesn’t bother to communicate it, as the Gaevis deity suddenly ages a decade, emerging as a silent treasure for the tribe, and one parading around topless, because this is exploitation cinema after all.

Franco doesn’t go for thrills in “White Cannibal Queen.” The film is mostly in park during the effort, focusing on Jeremy’s anguish and his return to the jungle, and this involves a lot of real-time walking. There are few technical achievements, as the movie is 95% camera zooming, which is Franco’s way to cheaply cover scenes, but often results in unintended laughs. Gore isn’t impressive as well, failing to sell the nightmare of cannibalism, and tribal appearances are also a bit goofy, as some of the warriors have Scott Baio hair, clearly understanding how ridiculous this film is. The return of the “white invaders” should be a thrilling development, but in Franco’s hands, the second half of the endeavor dies a slow death, offering very little tension with nature and aggressors as characters walk, and walk, and walk their way into a danger zone(?).

White Cannibal Queen Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "newly scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm original camera negative." "White Cannibal Queen" is a little beaten up at times, dealing with the inherent roughness of the cannibal sequences, which haven't been treated carefully by the production. Scratches are periodic, along with a few missing frames. Detail is as strong as the cinematography allows, finding zooms getting into skin particulars on the cast. Costuming is fibrous, including the sheerness of Jeremy's wet shirt in the finale of the picture, clearly exposing his folded arm. Jungle tours are deep, providing a clear look at the surroundings, and interiors are dimensional. Colors are lively with tribal face paint and ample greenery. Costuming and car paint adds distinct primaries at times. Blood is deep red. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like.

White Cannibal Queen Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Italian 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix delivers a basic listening event for "White Cannibal Queen," leading with pronounced dialogue exchanges, which remain intelligible. Some mild sibilance issues are periodically encountered. Scoring supports with decent clarity, ranging from tribal drumming to attempts at orchestral suspense. Sound effects are blunt. An English dub is included as well, which sounds muddier. And the release offers "White Cannibal Queen" in its entirety, restoring a 60-second-long overture for fans of the movie.

White Cannibal Queen Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Eugenio Ercolani and Troy Howarth.

• "Jungle Holocaust" (30:55, HD) is an interview with actor Antonio Mayans, who's celebrating nearly 65 years as an active thespian, happy to "still be alive and working." The interviewee delves into his lengthy relationship with director Jesus Franco, experiencing the turbulence of the industry alongside his collaborator. Talk turns to "White Cannibal Queen," putting Mayans in the middle of a moviemaking trend with graphic horror pictures, and he recalls his time on location, handling elements of nature and suspicious animal activity. Stunt work in a freezing river is explored as well, taking a special toll on the actor's health. The speed and frugality of the shoot is analyzed, finding Franco and other directors managing to squeeze two features into a single production period. Other creative endeavors are highlighted, as Mayans shares anecdotes about releases such as "Dark Mission: Evil Flowers."

• "Sardonic Cannibals" (32:36, HD) is an appreciation piece by film historian Stephen Thrower.

• "Meat Market" (27:53, HD) is an appreciation piece by film historian Alessio Di Rocco.

• "European Cannibals" (33:03, HD) is an appreciation piece by film historian Eugenio Ercolani.

• Alternate English Language Titles (2:29, HD) are offered.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

White Cannibal Queen Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"White Cannibal Queen" reaches something approximating a climax, putting Jeremy to the test in a battle where the actor gradually loses interest in hiding his hidden arm. But hey, at least there's an ending, which doesn't feel guaranteed during the viewing experience as it meanders from one scene to the next. There should be exploration, terror, and hostility in cannibal cinema, but not with Franco at the helm. He's an uninspired director going through the motions in "White Cannibal Queen," barely showing interest in the material, leaving viewers with extraordinarily little to enjoy.