Original subtitles

Today's lesson will focus on the stomach.

Huh... As I was saying, today we'll focus on the stomach.

The stomach is the dilated, sac-like part of the alimentary canal.

It's positioned between the oesophagus and duodenum.

It's shaped like a curved sac,

with a right-facing concavity called the lesser curvature.

It also has a curvature facing the left.

- I bet you stole that hand. - Cut it out, come on.

An eager beaver like you probably took it home to practice.

You need quite a sense of humour to laugh in an anatomy lab.

Maybe none at all, actually, which I believe applies to your case.

Today's lesson is over, you can go.

- We're sorry. - Good day, Professor.

Blast it, you and your stupid jokes...

A most disturbing occurrence, Professor.

And it's already the second time this has happened.

A maniac on the loose in this very hospital, perhaps.

- You should report it to the police. - No, I know what they'd do.

If we get them involved they won't even leave us alone in the operating theatre.

I don't know what to make of this, to be honest.

I mean, it's something that would make sense in a savage environment.

In the Middle Ages, even, but it's out of place in today's New York.

Do you really believe humanity has become so different than it was then, Professor?

Maybe not.

This is the anthropological research you tasked me with, Professor Stafford.

I apologise that it took me a while, it's far from perfect...

but I haven't been in the best of moods lately.

- Not feeling well, Lori? - No, it's not that, Professor.

Don't worry, Lori. I'm sure your research is fine.

As usual, of course.

So, what did you want to tell me?

- Go ahead. - Odd things have been happening recently.

A number of pieces from the cadavers we use for anatomical practice have disappeared.

It was probably a student who does a lot of individual studying.

- It could be. - It's nothing to get worried about.

You can drop me at the next corner, Professor.

I'm going to have lunch at a restaurant, thanks so much for the ride.

At your service, Lori.

- Here? - Yes.

But... That's a vegetarian restaurant.

I had no idea you became one.

I don't come here often, but you know how it is after an anatomy lesson.

Goodbye, Professor. Don't hesitate to call if you need me.

You know anthropology is my greatest passion.

- Goodbye, Lori. - Bye!

He had just died.

I went to call the doctor on duty, and then, not even ten minutes later...

They've removed his heart.

We're dealing with a very dangerous lunatic.

- Don't mention this incident to anyone. - Yes, Professor.

- Hello. - What are you doing here? Who are you?

Susan Kelly, New York Express. May I come in?

- Sorry, but I'm on my way out. - I'll only bother you for a minute.

Why don't you get straight to the point, Miss?

I'm just looking for some clarifications,

a few details on the mysterious occurrences at your hospital.

- Cases of cannibalism, I heard. - Who told you such nonsense?

Let's say I have a good nose for stories, rather than good ears.

Your nose has let you down, there's no mystery to solve.

- But you don't want to talk about it. - Listen, I'm in a hurry.

- I'm on duty at the hospital. - At this hour?

- You find it strange? - Yes, you're never on duty at this hour.

- I've done my research. - I'm covering for a sick colleague.

Why do you own so much exotic stuff?

I have a degree in anthropology, aside from the medical one.

- What's that? - A sacrificial weapon, satisfied?

And now, if you'll excuse me...

Stop!

Turan!

Quick, get him!

It can't be...

Turan.

- Who would have thought... - Let's call the police.

What happened?!

Turan!

Turan! Why?

Turan... Turan...

Kito ordered it.

He only uttered those few words.

"Kito ordered it."

Nothing more, Mr. Chandler.

It doesn't help us much to shed light on what happened.

"Kito" doesn't mean anything to me.

But it does to me.

It was an ancient word commonly used among some Southeast Asian populations.

What does it mean?

"Divine Island" or something like that.

Wasn't this "Kito" word also used in the Moluccan archipelago?

Correct.

We've managed to ascertain that the orderly originated from there.

Therefore, one of the Moluccan Islands may have something to do with this.

It could be.

I imagine you know a great deal more about these people.

Enough.

I'm afraid I'll have to temporarily borrow your assistant, Professor Drydock.

Not a chance, Mr. Chandler.

Allow me to show you something.

I have a question for you, Miss Ridgeway.

Did they practice cannibalism in the Moluccan Islands?

All primitive populations practiced it, with no exceptions.

It's very possible that the orderly was an anthropophagus. A cannibal.

Similar cases have also been reported in other cities.

That's why we at the Department of Health have to handle this.

- Play the slides, George. - Right away.

Until now we've been able to keep these events secret.

This is the documentation we have on some recent episodes of cannibalism.

Not a pleasant sight, indeed.

- This is the latest one. - Stop!

Can you enlarge it?

That's the only anthropophagus we've been able to capture.

Somebody caught him eating the heart of a woman who'd died in a car accident.

It's unbelievable...

We didn't have the chance to question him, unfortunately.

His reaction was so violent that the police were forced to kill him.

- His features look Asian as well. - Yes, that's right.

And now I'm convinced he also came from the Moluccan Islands.

There's a link between the hospital orderly and this other man.

Did you see the tattoo on their chest? It's the same.

It's the symbol of a sect in the Moluccan Islands, as far as I know.

Professor Stafford might know more.

- Can you get us an appointment tomorrow? - Certainly.

Yes, Dr. Ridgeway interpreted the word "Kito" correctly.

But there's one detail I'd like to stress.

It's also the name of the island where their god, Kito, supposedly lived.

- Wait a second. - You're right.

Look at this. It's the symbol of the Kito sect.

- Did they offer sacrifices to this god? - Yes, unfortunately. Human sacrifices.

Thank you, Professor.

- See you soon, goodbye. - My pleasure.

- You've been very kind, Professor. - It's nothing.

The professor was quite exhaustive.

Of course, Professor Stafford is the leading anthropologist in the States.

And now that he's stated his opinion,

the rest is up to you guys.

- You're abandoning us, it seems. - I never considered the opposite.

- Lori, what's wrong? - There's someone here, I heard them.

Nothing. If there was anyone here, they've already left.

Anything missing?

Yes, the dagger with the symbol of Kito that was hanging on the wall.

- Do you want to tell the police? - No, it would be useless.

I came to pick you up, we're having a meeting in my office.

A very important one at that, I'd like you to join us.

All right.

Feeling better?

It's a bit of a traumatising experience, I know,

but finding a burglar in your home is becoming more and more common nowadays.

I don't think it was a burglar. I'm afraid it's something else, unfortunately.

Something I can't figure out but that frightens me greatly, Peter.

I've got just the thing for you.

You must leave New York for a while,

and in a few minutes I'll introduce you to our travel companions.

Our travel companions? What travel?

Thanks to the information you helped us gather,

we're organising an expedition to the Moluccan Islands.

We've found out that the natives call one of the islands Kito.

We'll be helped by Doctor O'Brien, who has been living on a nearby island for years.

Naturally, we'll keep him in the dark about the true nature of the expedition.

It would be quite useful if you could join us.

As an anthropologist, I mean.

I've already asked Professor Drydock and he agreed to my request.

It's not about that, I'm familiar with the Moluccan Islands.

I lived there for a few years as a child,

and it was the best time of my life.

I'm afraid seeing how they've become would upset me.

Yes, I understand, but you can't spend your life preserving past memories.

- Hello, Peter. - Hi.

- There's George and Susan. - What's that girl doing here?

She's George's girlfriend.

- Would you like a drink? - Gladly.

She's a rather enterprising young thing.

I bet she is telling you what a rude and nosy girl I am.

Perhaps.

In that case, feel free to add that I'm an ambitious upstart.

I'd sell my soul to the devil for a scoop.

Who knows, this might be a good chance for you.

Let's hope so.

How long has Doctor O'Brien been living on this island?

I don't know exactly. Five or six years.

We're here at last, the heat and the journey have worn me out.

You see what a journalist has to put up with?

Cut it out, everyone knows the best travel articles...

are all written at home, next to a fireplace.

Only when you're rich and famous.

And I have every intention of becoming rich and famous, as a matter of fact.

I'll succeed, mark my words.

- I really hope you will. - Thanks.

We should be near O'Brien's house by now.

How come a famous surgeon like him moved to this archipelago?

To treat the natives. He's a disciple of Doctor Schweitzer.

- Hello, Dr. O'Brien. - Hello.

Great to see you again, Dr. Chandler.

The last time we met was at a congress in Los Angeles, if I'm not mistaken.

Correct. Allow me to introduce my travelling companions.

- This is Lori Ridgeway, our anthropologist. - Pleased to meet you. - Likewise.

- Susan Kelly, she'll be keeping a diary of the expedition. - Hi. - Hello.

- And this is my assistant, George Happer. - Pleased. - Doctor.

Very well. Come inside, please.

- All right. - With pleasure.

We thought of you in order to have some on-site support.

- I hope we're not intruding. - Not at all, Dr. Chandler.

- Something to drink? - Thank you.

As a matter of fact, Doctor, I'm rather glad I can help you.

Life is quite monotonous here, you know. Too much, I'd say.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you.

I've hired some native porters and a guide for your expedition.

Moloto!

Moloto, meet Doctor Chandler.

- Pleased to meet you. - Likewise.

Moloto knows the archipelago inside out.

We've been working together for years. You can trust him completely.

I'm sure we'll get along very well.

We'll stay in radio contact for anything you may need, obviously.

In that case, I'd like to leave in the morning at dawn.

Everything's ready.

Excuse me, but I'm very tired and I'd like to go to bed.

Of course, I know what a long journey you had.

- Show the lady to her room. - Thanks.

- This way. - Good night.

- See you tomorrow. - Good night, Lori.

It won't be a pleasant journey, that's for sure.

Is the island of Kito very far?

It's on the opposite side of the archipelago.

The penultimate island before reaching the open sea.

The natives are quite primitive. Very interesting subjects, really.

If I understand correctly you intend to study their habits and customs.

- That's right, Doctor. - I don't share your enthusiasm, Chandler.

They're cruel, superstitious people, and opposed to any form of civilisation.

Sometimes I'm tempted to leave all this behind,

instead of spending my life treating them.

I think you could use a nice holiday.

We'll take you with us to New York when we return.

Who knows...

What happened?

Peter, look! It's horrible! It's their symbol!

It's the symbol of Kito.

Calm down, Miss Ridgeway.

If they really wanted to harm you, they would have just done it already.

- Careful, don't slip. - My bag.

- Come on, Doctor, time to go. - Thanks.

I mean it, I've never experienced anything like this before.

That's for sure!

Hey, Peter.

- Is that the island? - Yeah, I think so.

Moloto?

Keep the boat steady.

Comin', Doctor. I'm coming.

How long will it take to reach Kito?

- Well, about an hour. - Maybe a bit longer.

- We're facing some engine troubles. - What sort of troubles?

Cooling issues, we'd better turn it off for a while.

It's getting dark, we can't risk spending the night on a boat with a faulty engine.

Yeah, that'd spell trouble.

Can we make it to that other island?

Yeah, I hope so, considering it's much closer.

Good. We'll spend the night there and carry on with our journey in the morning, okay?

All right.

- I'd like some of that, please. - Yeah.

- Thanks. - You're welcome.

Wanna try a little?

Thanks.

Why the rifles?

- Consider them a precaution. - An excessive one at that.

We're only dealing with some corpse-eaters, after all.

And we're all very much alive, as a matter of fact.

We have nothing to worry about as long as we stay that way!

We'll have to organise guard duties for tonight.

- Take care of it, George. - All right.

Me and Moloto will take the first shift, okay?

Mikani wandered off for a moment and never returned.

- What now? Shall we look for him? - No, it's too dangerous at night.

He'll come back sooner or later, trust me.

And we'll look for him in the morning if he doesn't.

- Don't worry, he'll come back. - Mikani!

Mikani!

- What are you going to do? - Mikani hasn't come back.

So the three of us are going to look for him.

We'll be gone half an hour at most.

In the meantime no one must leave the camp.

I won't tolerate any rash decisions.

- Are you ready, George? - Ready.

Come on, let's move.

We'd better split up. We'll go in three different directions, okay?

All right.

- Wait for me, guys! - Susan!

- Peter! - I told you to stay at the camp.

- I'm a journalist, nobody can stop me! - All right, all right.

Mikani!

Mikani!

Mikani!

Mikani!

Mikani!

- No! - What happened?!

This wouldn't have happened if he'd stayed at the camp as instructed.

- But, Susan... - What?

You're snapping pictures of a human being who died a horrible death.

- You're talking like I killed him! - That's not what I meant.

Why can't you understand I'm just doing my job, George?

This is what I came for, not for taking a stroll in the woods.

- You'll publish them when we return? - You guessed it.

What title are you gonna use? "Love your neighbour like yourself"?

- Mister George? - Yeah?

The porters are scared.

- Yes, I want to go home. - Stick with us and you'll be safe.

Now bury your friend.

Peter...

Hurry up, we'll leave this island as soon as you've finished.

- And to go where, Moloto? - To Kito.

But this is Kito, isn't that right?

- You're mistaken, Mr. Chandler. - No, you're the one who got it wrong.

If it wasn't for the engine breaking down you'd have taken us to another island.

Perhaps I... I got confused.

These islands all look the same.

It's hard to tell them apart.

If our sources are correct, the village should be at the end of the path.

It might be better to circle the place and approach it from a different direction.

- Did you see that? - Yes, a native.

What do you think they'll do, Chandler?

Dammit...

- What did they say? - They're scared, they want to go back.

- The natives are getting closer, more and more of them. - No, wait.

They may not want to attack us.

Yeah, but we'd better not take any chances.

What's that fool doing?!

Let's return to the camp, we'll have a better chance of defending ourselves there.

Come on, let's get moving.

Chin up and bury these bodies.

Hello? Hello?

Hello? Hello? Yes?

Mr. Chandler! Mr. Chandler!

- I've reached Doctor O'Brien! - Finally!

Doctor O'Brien? This is Peter Chandler.

Now listen carefully, we've been attacked by cannibals.

We managed to kill two of them but we've lost two porters.

Come again?

Our position?

We're two miles southeast from where we landed.

North west?

Three miles?

A white building in a clearing?

Yeah, yeah, I got everything you said.

Tomorrow morning.

All right. I hope we'll be able to defend ourselves.

Yes, do it as soon as you can. See you there, Doctor.

He'll gather some men and come help us tomorrow.

We have to get to an abandoned mission three miles from here.

We'll attempt it tomorrow.

We'll have to organise guard duties for tonight.

We'll all be on the lookout.

I'm afraid no one will be able to sleep tonight.

Mr. Chandler, we're over here!

We found him like this.

Mr. Chandler, help!

Help me!

Mr. Chandler, help!

- Where were you when they attacked? - There are lots of bushes, Mr. Chandler!

It's impossible to see them. I was on the alert, just like you!

- You rotten bastard... - Peter, knock it off!

It's pitch black out here, it could have happened to any of us.

I'm sorry.

- Are we sure this is the right direction? - Yes, I think so.

Come on, let's move.

What is it?

There's something strange.

Hey, look! Over there!

No!

Susan!

Susan!

No! No!

- Susan! - Help!

No! No!

No! No!

Help me! No!

Help me! George!

Let go of me!

- Help! - Susan!

Damn you!

Bastards! Take your hands off me!

You dirty sons of...

- And Susan? - They've taken her.

I hope she won't meet the same fate.

Come on, let's go.

- Lori. - Yes?

We made it, Peter!

I wonder who those monstrous beings were.

I have no idea, but the natives were terrified of them.

That's what saved us, thankfully!

Let's go.

Doctor O'Brien!

- Doctor... - We made it. - Calm down.

- You're safe here. - Yes, but we were wiped out.

It's a miracle we're still alive.

You're out of danger now. My men have been patrolling the area for hours.

Lori, Lori, it's all over.

Go get them some food.

- What happened to Susan and George? - It was horrible!

They devoured George right in front of us!

Yes, and then they took Susan away.

There was nothing we could do.

We had to defend ourselves.

- She's doomed, I'm afraid. - It can't be! We've got to do something!

I'm sorry.

You must take her away at once, Dr. Chandler. Her nerves are shot.

There's nothing more you can do here, sadly.

And then this island'|| become nothing more than a horrible, nightmarish memory.

Yes, a nightmare which you must try to forget at all cost.

- Follow my advice, Doctor. - Yes, but it's not like we can swim away.

You'll find an inflatable raft a couple of miles down the beach.

Take it and get back to your boat.

- But... - I saw it on the way here.

I'll join you tomorrow morning.

You'll go with them, Moloto.

What are you going to do?

I'll join you tomorrow once I've gathered my men.

There's no need for you to come. Stay with Doctor O'Brien.

- You'll need his help. - I'm an experienced sailor, no worries.

Besides, I'm sure you'll need his help here more than we do.

See you tomorrow, Doctor. Be careful, all of you.

What is it, Peter?

- Something's wrong. - What do you mean?

There's the inflatable raft, just like O'Brien said.

Come on, let's go.

Peter.

How did O'Brien know where we were?

When we spoke on the radio, I didn't tell him we were on a different island.

Yet he didn't hesitate for a second to instruct me to reach the old mission.

Mentioning our encounter with the cannibals was enough to tell him where we were.

This island is hiding a few secrets.

And it's something even more frightening than those cannibals.

O'Brien did everything he could to keep us away from here.

First he tried to send us to the wrong island, with Moloto's help.

Then he used every reason he could come up with to persuade us to leave.

Do you think his secret is linked to those monstrous beings that, in a way, saved us?

Yes. Yes, it's possible.

- What are you going to do? - Find out what's happening on Kito.

That's madness! It's a miracle we're still alive!

Wouldn't it be better to return with another expedition?

No, it would give O'Brien time to clear everything up.

Don't worry, everything will be fine.

You will wait for me offshore and watch my back, ready to pick me up.

I want you to leave at the slightest sign of danger, without worrying about me.

You can't ask me to do this, Peter!

Let's see if the motor works, first of all.

Well, colour me surprised.

Let's try the spare one.

Peter, look out!

O'Brien...

That's Susan!

Susan! Susan!

Now we will proceed with the resection of the jugular vein,

in order to release the blood pressure from the cranial cavity.

The extracted blood will be re-injected once the operation is completed.

No...

No! No!

No, I beg you!

No! No!

I beg you! No!

No! No!

No!

No! No!

No... No!

No...

No!

No!

I've severed your vocal chords, now you won't bother me anymore.

I'm administering a second injection to keep the subject conscious.

- You sure you don't want to wait here? - You seriously think I'll be safer?

Let's go.

- What is it? - I don't know, I think I saw something.

Maybe it was just a shadow.

Let's go.

I'm the first surgeon in the world to attempt this operation.

I shall attempt to transplant the brain of a young woman...

into the body of a man who has been clinically dead for ten days.

Don't worry, dear girl, you'll carry on living like the other beings I've created.

Science will be grateful to you.

I did everything I could to keep you away from Kito.

But your stubbornness leaves me no other choice.

Very well, Chandler.

This way.

Were you looking for Susan? Here she is.

You really disappointed me, Dr. Chandler.

Yours is a typical case of average intelligence.

Sufficient enough to figure out my secret, but completely inadequate to understand it.

You're a bloodthirsty lunatic, O'Brien.

That's a rather superficial judgement.

The difference between your science and mine, you see,

is that I don't limit myself to correcting nature's imperfections.

I improve what nature created!

I'm on the verge of increasing man's lifespan by hundreds of years!

You see these lifeless bodies?

They'll return to life when I want them to!

I've been working on this fantastic project for years.

Until now I've only been able to use native subjects.

I told them that anyone who would happily submit to my experiments...

would become a divine being, and I wasn't lying.

I suppose it's thanks to your claim that they've returned to cannibalism.

I only induced them to rekindle their ancient religious rite.

And they're very grateful for that, I must say.

I always provide them with fresh meat, after all.

Moloto, prepare the table for Dr. Chandler!

I'm very eager to begin the operation.

- Lori, run! - Don't move!

You did her no favours by helping her escape.

No! Help!

I'm going to inject you with something that will help you sleep and restore your strength.

I need my subjects to be in perfect physical condition.

Tomorrow morning I'll transplant your brain into one of the cadavers in the other room.

You will die to live again in a better, younger, body.

You will tell me yourself if the operation was a success,

and what it feels like to pass from life to death and from death to life.

You will be sound asleep in a few minutes.

Sweet dreams.

- Let's get the corpse ready, Moloto. - Yes, Doctor.

Hold the head still while I slice the scalp.

Yes.

Careful now.

Like this.

Perfect.

Lift the head up.

Unfortunately, you both won't be needing these anymore.

I usually give them to my native friends.

It's a highly appreciated gift, their women wear them...

and it appears to increase their sexual activity.

Go get a bottle of blood, Moloto.

It's your turn now, Dr. Chandler.

It's time to bid goodbye to your beautiful, flowing hair.

Alas, science knows no obstacles and demands certain sacrifices.

However, I'm certain I'll overcome such obstacles in the future.

Well done.

Get everything ready for the transfusion.

You refuse to accept the situation, Dr. Chandler.

Above all, you're ungrateful.

But I'll have your brain no matter what!

Nobody and nothing could stop me! Put him on the operating bed!

Quick, capture him!

Get him!

Get him, I said!

Get him, quick!

No!

No! Stop!

- Lori... - Peter! Peter!

No...

Let's go.

Subtitled by Francesco Massaccesi