The Naked Jungle - Charlton Heston [DVD] [1954]

So many years since I saw this film, and it seemed that I would never be able to secure a copy. However, it was very warmly welcomed when it arrived, and I immersed myself in a film which I think showed Mr. Heston in an unusual role - professional and all-knowing in every aspect of the lead performer's life, except when confronted with a woman, and a brave one at that. A wonderful performance by both leading actors, and a very strong step on climbing the ladder to Hollywood stardom. Strong, believable emotion from both, not to mention the supporting cast of an army of ants!

I have been looking for this movie for a long time thank you very much

Would have been far happier if it had kept more to the original story.

I have been wanting to get this film for ages......chauvinistic man shown the error his ways by strobg, feisty woman, steamy jungle, killer ants.....what's not to love? Delivery was fast and product brilliant.....just don't mention it to my husband....he hates the movie, haga

The Naked Jungle is directed by Byron Haskin and based around the short story Leiningen Versus The Ants written by Carl Stephenson. It stars Charlton Heston, Eleanor Parker, Abraham Sofaer and William Conrad. Music is scored by Daniele Amfitheatrof and cinematography by Ernest Laszlo.1901, South America, and mail order bride Joanna Selby (Parker) arrives at the plantation owned by her husband Christopher Leiningen. She is shocked to find life at the plantation is hardly idyllic, but not as shocked as Leiningen is when he finds out that Joanna was once married before. With his own hang ups gnawing away at him and he refusing to accept Joanna as his bride, the relationship appears to be heading nowhere. However, she's made of stern stuff, and when a swarm of soldier ants is known to be heading towards the plantation, Joanna and Chris might just find that love is actually there?Filmed in glorious Technicolor by Laszlo and produced by George Pal (Destination Moon/The War of the Worlds/The Time Machine), The Naked Jungle seems to be a forgotten movie on the CV's of Pal and Heston. A crying shame since it's very well mounted and carries a uniqueness worthy of further delving. Perhaps it got lost in the slipstream of Them! The other Ant movie out that year? What transpires is an hour of interesting character build up, where Heston & Parker's characters take centre stage and benefit from literate writing (Philip Yordan). The sweaty backdrop of the jungle plantation keeps things on the simmer, but it's the dialect and emoting of the performers that really holds the interest. True, Heston does at times over do it with some "woe is me" acting as he looks off into the distance (he has major issues we learn), but it works because it bounces off of Parker's (a Technicolor treat for the eyes) intelligent and stoic performance.Film then shifts to creature feature territory for the last third. Once the army of Marabunta are spied off in the distance, laying waste to everything in their path, picture has become a war involving man against nature, where if man wins? He may not only save his life, but more pertinently his soul. Heston stops the tortured emoting and sticks out is lantern jaw, squares up his shoulders and stands firm in the face of such a hostile and intelligent enemy. By his side, the wife, multi talented and brave of heart, they make quite a couple. The chemistry between the two is simmering with sexual tension, and thanks to the writing the characters are fabulously engaging and make us care about the outcome of picture. Director Haskin, too, utilises the scenery and plantation setting to frame his protagonists for maximum impact, his camera work airy and unobtrusive. While his crafting of the biblical fight against the ants is thrilling and boosted no end by marvellous effects work (John P. Fulton).An oddity? Yes, for sure. But it's a smart and intelligent picture that successfully manages to blend the sci-fi and nature aspects with complex human characterisations. 8/10

I saw this movie for the first time on tv many years ago and will never understand why it is not aired more frequently.It's an absolute must-have for every Heston fan and highly recommended for everyone who likes good old-time drama.

A really good film with two great actors

Enjoyed but a bit dated

子供の時に、テレビで観て印象に残っていたので又、観たいなと思っていたら、DVDが出ていたので思わず買いました。チャールトン・ヘストンは、好きな俳優さんでしたので、大変良かったです。

alors 5 étoiles pour le film en lui même. tout est parfait même Charlton Heston arrive a se faire détester par moi alors que j'adore cet acteur ... bon c'est pour dire s'il joue bien.par contre pour la copie c'est autre chose les images sont pales et fades... pour la piste son en français, à écouter dans le silence, c'est encore pire le volume joue le yoyo et les bruits d'ambiance par moment disparaissent complètement dommage car c'est un bon film.à voir quand même car le film est très bien. et puis qui sait d'en une autre langue il est peut être plus "écoutable"

Saw this film years ago when it first came out and loved it and was so happy to find it again. I am a big fan of Charleton Heston and especially when in a western or an action movie like this. I can watch this over and over and enjoy it equally as much every time.

Le scénario est excellent et les acteurs prodigieux. La forêt tropicale de l'Amérique du Sud et ses indiens (un peu trop caricaturés à mon gout), l'horreur des fourmis ravageuses et la si belle histoire d'amour entre les deux héros m'ont enchantée. La couleur est celle des films d'après guerre un peu démodée mais n'enlève rien à la beauté du film. Eleanor Parker et Charlton Heston font vivre cette aventure avec brio et bravo au jeu des acteurs secondaires. Un beau moment de cinéma:

私の親が数十年前に見たという本作。「久しぶりに見たいな～」と言うので探してゲットしました。所謂「パニック系映画」とでも言うのでしょうか、人外生物が大量発生して襲ってくると言う奴です。本作の敵は「蟻」。俗に言うグンタイアリって奴ですな。こいつは中南米に実在するとても恐ろしい代物なのですが、中南米（恐らくAmazon、じゃなかったアマゾンの奥地）のジャングルが舞台の本作は、やっとこさジャングルを切り開いて作った農園に恐るべきグンタイアリの大軍が・・・！　みたいなストーリーです。その蟻の大軍相手にどうやって相対するのかも見所ですが、男（農園の主）と女（そこへ嫁いできた訳あり女性）が次第に打ち解けていく過程も見物。なお、この時代の映画はスタッフロールが冒頭に流れる事が多く、本作もそれに該当します。なので、ラストシーンが終わったらスタッフロールで余韻に浸る間もなく唐突に終わります。（笑）時代を感じつつ鑑賞するのも良いかもしれませんね。