The Naked Jungle (film)

The Naked Jungle (When the marabunta roars in Spain; Marabunta in Argentina), is a 1954 classic adventure film by Byron Haskin, set on a South American hacienda in 1901, with Charlton Heston and Eleanor Parker in the lead roles. It is based on the short story Leiningen Versus the Ants (Leiningen against the ants), by Carl Stephenson.

It is considered one of George Pal's best productions and one of the undisputed classics of bug cinema. In addition to the sensational narrative rhythm, the convincing special effects and the irresistible adventurous tone, its torrid atmosphere stands out.

Plot

The action takes place in 1901. Christopher Leiningen is the wealthy owner of a cocoa plantation in Río Negro (Amazon). He has been married by proxy to a woman of the same nationality, twenty-five-year-old Joanna (Eleanor Parker). She arrives across the river at the large estate of her husband, and Leiningen will have to make a great effort to get used to living with a wife he doesn't know.

Meanwhile, there is a warning that the mob is coming, a huge colony of flying ants that destroy everything in their path. The plantation is in danger of losing its entire crop if it is not adequately protected. Leiningen wants to protect her, but many before him have tried and died, and the threat is getting closer and closer.

Cast

• Charlton Heston - Christopher Leiningen.
• Eleanor Parker - Joanna Leiningen.
• Abraham Sofaer - Incacha.
• William Conrad - The Commissioner.
• Romo Vincent - The captain of the ship.
• Douglas Fowley - The man of medicine.
• John Dierkes - Gruber.
• Leonard Strong - Kutina.
• Norma Calderón - Zala.

Production

The film is based on the short story Leningen versus the ants (1938) by Carl Stephenson, which at the time was already an exaggeration of what soldier ants can do that authors like Arsuaga and Martín-Loeches (2013) describe it as "absurd". The title produced by George Pal differs quite a bit from his other previous works, but it does maintain a splendid color, in addition to having some of the best special effects for the time, according to Aldarondo (2008, p. 125).

Reception

The film production is an adventure drama that achieved great popularity in Spain and is considered by authors such as Ricardo Aldarondo (2008) one of the best adventure films.

Used bibliography

• Arsuaga, Juan Luis; Martín-Loeches, Manuel (2013). The indelible seal: Past, present and future of the human being. Debate.
• Aldarondo, Ricardo (2008). Key films of adventure cinema. Barcelona: Manontropo.