Cannibal Holocaust (1985)

During the making of this film, an opossum was slit with a knife; the shell was ripped off of a turtle; and a monkey had the top of its head sliced off. Cannibal Holocaust was filmed outside of the US and was only shown in “X” rated theaters during its run. AHA urged moviegoers to protest the film by writing letters to theater managers and by warning others of its inhumane content.

The ongoing expansion of the AHA Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media has raised the standard of care for animal actors worldwide. In addition, technological advancements have created safe alternatives to risky action, enabling filmmakers to maintain their creative vision without compromising the welfare of animal actors. AHA continues to be a vigilant watchdog for animals in film and television and acknowledges the groundbreaking history of this program while expanding and refining procedures to reflect increased knowledge and new challenges.