review

THE BIG ALLIGATOR RIVER

It wouldn't be inaccurate to state that without the United States the Italian genre industry would have died a quick and unremarkable death. Not only were we a great importer of Italian genre film but we supplied them with a new fad every year or so for them to spin off into a hundred and one new films. Literally dozens of movies could be considered - and in some cases were actually marketed as - unofficial sequels to DAWN OF THE DEAD alone. Luigi Cozzi once said in an interview that when you went before producers to pitch an idea they wouldn't ask "what's your film like?". Instead they would ask "what film is your film like?". So while it took a little longer than expected, no one should have been surprised when THE BIG ALLIGATOR RIVER showed up in theaters. Obviously modeled after JAWS, Sergio Martino's little film lacks the talent in front of the camera - and behind it - of Spielberg's film but manages to be entertaining in that lazy Saturday afternoon kind of way.


The Big Alligator River

A photographer, Daniel, is hired to take some glamour shots for a soon-to-be-opened resort on an island in the jungle. The resort owner, Joshua, is confident that his business endeavor will be a success. He's planning on inviting a few groups of tourists by week's end. Daniel makes the acquaintance of Alice, the resorts manager - and anthropologist - and the two quickly fall for each other. As the guests begin to arrive, something strange begins to happen. People begin disappearing. The local people, many of whom have been working at the resort in exchange for clothing and bottles of Coke, believe the culprit is the great river god, Kruna. The destruction of the island and the presence of the white man is obviously angering Kruna and he has arrived to mete out punishment. Of course, there is no great river god, just a huge alligator with an insatiable appetite. Before long, the natives are dead-set on killing every white man on the island, Alice is kidnapped and - a la KING KONG - tied on a raft as a sacrifice to Kruna, and Daniel has to struggle to save them all.


Big Alligator River

While JAWS worked due to the conviction of the actors playing the shark hunters, THE BIG ALLIGATOR RIVER works simply because it doesn't have a single serious bone in it's body. It's a fun little film that doesn't waste much time getting going but sputters to a close just as things were starting to get good. The effects are piss-poor, to be honest, with a giant rubber alligator that never looks realistic and is therefore never threatening - unlike the seldom-glimpsed beastie in Hooper's EATEN ALIVE. The underwater chase and attack scenes were obviously shot in a swimming pool and the use of tabletop miniatures is laughable at best. Those looking for some gore with their ridiculousness will be even more disappointed. There isn't any. If it weren't for a few bare breasts, this would be PG. The inclusion of angry natives - another nod to KONG - helps break up all the alligator attack monotony though, keeping THE BIG ALLIGATOR RIVER going both in the water and out.


Barbara Bach in Sergio Martino's The Big Alligator River

But, despite all of those obvious flaws, THE BIG ALLIGATOR RIVER manages to be entertaining. It's certainly good looking, with gorgeous locales - some of which were featured in Martino's SLAVE OF THE CANNIBAL GOD - and a mostly attractive cast, including the always yummy - but unfortunately completely clothed - Barbara Bach. It's obvious Martino did this flick for the money and had no real connection to the material. Unlike his excellent gialli, THE BIG ALLIGATOR RIVER has no real memorable moments or moments of true inspiration to set it apart from the numerous nature-run-amok flicks that were pouring into drive-ins at the time. But it's breezy, quick and filled with frantic action making it a good choice for a pleasant time waster.


Stupid but fun.


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