RAW MEAT tells the story of the
last living descendant of a group of workers who were trapped by a
cave-in while building England’s subway system in the 1890s.
They managed to survive for generations thanks to air pockets and a
diet consisting of the other other white meat, namely human
flesh.
As RAW MEAT begins, the last living
cannibal man (Hugh Armstrong) attacks a high-ranking British
official, but is interrupted before he can haul the unconscious body
back to his lair. Alex (David Ladd) and Sharon (Patricia
Wilson) spot the body, and despite Alex‘s protestations (he’s
from New York--they just walk over people like that all the time)
eventually get the police to investigate. While checking to see
if the unconscious man is a diabetic, Alex finds a card with the
man’s name and rank as a member of the O.B.E. Inspector
Calhoun (Donald Pleasance) questions the couple, seeing a chance for
prestige if he can solve the missing persons case of such an
important figure.
Things don’t go too well for the
cannibal man from here on. First, his mate dies, and the movie
does a good job of making the viewer feel empathy for him despite his
culinary habits. Then, he makes another attack, in the process
receiving a serious wound to the side of his head. Eventually
he sets out to find another mate, but despite feeling compassion for
this poor soul, Sharon is less than thrilled with the prospect of
moving in to his subterranean love nest. It’s up to her
insensitive boyfriend and the coppers to save her now.
