Anaconda (1997) is a thrilling creature-feature classic that combines suspense, adventure, and a touch of campy horror. Directed by Luis Llosa, the film dives deep into the treacherous Amazon jungle, where a group of explorers encounters a mᴀssive and ᴅᴇᴀᴅly anaconda, setting off a battle for survival against nature’s most fearsome predator. With its over-the-top action, striking visuals, and iconic performances, Anaconda has carved out a lasting legacy in the creature horror genre.

The story follows a documentary film crew led by Terri Flores (Jennifer Lopez) and Dr. Steven Cale (Eric Stoltz) as they venture into the Amazon to capture footage of a mysterious indigenous tribe. Along the way, they pick up Paul Serone (Jon Voight), a shady and enigmatic snake hunter who claims to know the jungle’s secrets. Serone’s true intentions, however, are far from noble, as he manipulates the crew into helping him track down a legendary giant anaconda.

As the expedition progresses, the group faces not only the relentless dangers of the jungle but also the colossal serpent itself—a predator with terrifying speed, cunning intelligence, and insatiable hunger. With its size and strength, the anaconda proves to be an unstoppable force, picking off the crew one by one in a series of suspenseful and gruesome encounters.

Jon Voight’s performance as Paul Serone steals the show, delivering a villainous turn that is both chilling and gleefully over-the-top. His intense demeanor, cryptic accent, and sinister charm make him as dangerous and unpredictable as the snake itself. Jennifer Lopez shines as the determined and resourceful Terri, anchoring the film with a grounded and commanding performance. The supporting cast, including Ice Cube as the wisecracking cameraman Danny Rich and Owen Wilson as sound engineer Gary Dixon, adds personality and levity to the tension-filled narrative.

The anaconda itself, brought to life through a mix of practical effects and CGI, is a highlight of the film. Its design and movements create a palpable sense of menace, with the creature emerging from the jungle’s murky waters to deliver heart-pounding attacks. The film builds suspense masterfully, using the dense, claustrophobic jungle setting to heighten the sense of danger and unpredictability.

Anaconda thrives on its balance of suspense and action, featuring intense sequences like the anaconda’s attack on the crew’s boat and a terrifying chase through the jungle. The film doesn’t shy away from its horror elements, delivering gruesome deaths and edge-of-your-seat moments that keep viewers engaged.

The lush Amazonian setting adds to the film’s immersive atmosphere, with its sprawling riverways, dense foliage, and eerie wildlife providing a visually stunning and foreboding backdrop. The cinematography captures both the beauty and danger of the jungle, making it a character in its own right.

While the film’s tone occasionally veers into camp territory, with exaggerated dialogue and dramatic moments, this only adds to its charm. Anaconda embraces its creature-feature roots, delivering thrills, chills, and a dose of humor that keeps it endlessly entertaining.

Upon its release, Anaconda became a box-office success, cementing its place as a cult favorite in the monster movie genre. Its mix of tension, spectacle, and memorable characters continues to captivate audiences, ensuring its enduring appeal.

Whether you watch it for its gripping suspense, its larger-than-life performances, or its iconic giant snake, Anaconda is a thrilling ride that showcases the enduring allure of man-versus-nature tales. It’s a film that strikes the perfect balance between genuine terror and pure escapist fun, making it a must-watch for fans of creature horror.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.