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Eleanor Parker, Charlton Heston, Abraham Sofaer, William Conrad, Romo Vincent ... see more see more... , Douglas Fowley , John Dierkes , Leonard Strong , Norma Calderon , Pilar del Rey , Bernie Gozier , Leon Lontoc , John Mansfield , Ronald Alan Numkena , Rodd Redwing , Jack Reitzen , Jerry Groves , Carlos Rivero , John E. Wood

It doesn't take long for old-time-radio fans to figure out that The Naked Jungle is a film version of the classic Carl Stephenson nailbiter Leiningen Versus the Ants. Charlton Heston plays South Ameri... read more read more...can plantation owner Christopher Leiningen, who spends most of the film preparing for the hellish onslaught of deadly soldier ants. The original story concentrated solely on Leiningen; the film version hokes things up a bit by bestowing upon the hero a gorgeous mail-order bride, played by Eleanor Parker. No matter: the climactic insect invasion is well worth the wait, utilizing the Paramount Pictures optical-effects department to the nth degree. The Naked Jungle also offers excellent supporting work from Abraham Sofaer, Douglas Fowley, and William Conrad, who also acted in several of the radio adaptations of the Carl Stephenson yarn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

59% liked it

1,621 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Byron Haskin

Release Date: March 3, 1954

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DVD Release Date: November 9, 2004

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Stats: 84 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (84)


  • February 18, 2011
    While the prospect of Charlton Heston fighting ants is WAY cool, the character Heston plays is not. He is one of the biggest douches in cinema.
  • June 4, 2008
    Actually has some plot beyond the killer ants.
  • December 14, 2008
    This movie was very interesting. I saw it in my english class. I think that Eleanor Parker did a splendid performance in this movie.
  • October 29, 2007
    This has the, hands down, sexiest scene in a movie I've ever seen. EP asks CH to rub bug repellant on her back and arms. Never have I been captivated like I was from that scene.
  • August 5, 2007
    once again i'm terribly confused what to rate this very campy film. should i rate it because of how bad it was made and how silly it is, or should rate it becuse of how hilarious and ridiculou, and how much fun it was watching it.
    for some reason i think that people running from... read more alot of ants is very funny!
  • May 4, 2007
    You want adventure, you got it. You want romance, you got it. You want one man fighting an army of killer ants? What more can you ask for?

Critic Reviews


Fernando F. Croce
March 14, 2010
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Das Kapital in the heart of darkness

Jeffrey M. Anderson
June 20, 2008
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Director Byron Haskin treats this as A-list material. Full Review

Steve Crum
June 2, 2005
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Those blasted ants! Fill the moat! Pretty creepy critters here.

Christopher Null
November 7, 2004
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

a schizophrenic little drama Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
May 14, 2004
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A wonderfully strange jungle melodrama. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Bosley Crowther
March 25, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 19, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

January 26, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Naked Jungle Trivia


  • in the classic "The Naked Jungle" with Charlton Heston.What did one of his 4 original workers have in his bag?  Answer »
  • Who Starred alongside Charlton Heston in the movie about killer ants The Naked Jungle?  Answer »

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