Angkor

Angkor (1935)

** (out of 4)

This here is basically a trip to Cambodia where we get a bunch of stock footage showing off various things including the violent wildlife as well as a group of people who dress up as gorillas. Oh yeah, for you exploitation lovers, there's some topless women carrying things around.

This film has a bunch of stock footage and it's basically a travelogue for those who might be interested in seeing the jungles of Cambodia. Producer Dwain Esper (MANIAC) bought the film and released it as FORBIDDEN ADVENTURE and really played up the exploitation aspect including the nudity that is in the film thanks to the locals. Obviously when the film was originally shot this footage was just showing off the local women but under Esper's control it became a reason to try and sell additional tickets.

To be honest, viewing this as an exploitation film really isn't going to work because there's nothing shocking here. What nudity there is is rather tame and it's certainly not shown in a sexual manor. What the film does do well is a great way to see Cambodia as it was during the time that the footage was shot. I thought the various footage of the wildlife was very entertaining and I also thought the silly editing to try and match up footage was worth watching. Just take a look at the scene where a baby monkey falls into the water and the fake drama that the editor tries to build.

No matter what you call the film, ANGKOR is mild entertainment that shouldn't be viewed as exploitation or anything overly serious. Former D.W. Griffith star Wilfred Lucas appears as a hunter and serves as the narrator.