Eaten Alive!

Lore & Background

Eaten Alive! was part of the cannibal boom, released in 1980 alongside Cannibal Holocaust, though the exact filming chronology of the two films is unclear. The film uses a more traditional adventure film narrative opposed to the mondo film style of previous cannibal films. It incorporates footage taken from other cannibal films, including Lenzi's own Man from the Deep River (1972), Last Cannibal World (1977), and The Mountain of the Cannibal God (1978). The plot was heavily inspired by the 1978 Jonestown massacre.

Reader's Guide

Eaten Alive! is notable as a product of the Italian cannibal boom, capitalizing on public interest in cult leader Jim Jones. The film's reception has been largely negative, with the Monthly Film Bulletin noting its 'chaotic' plotting and 'unintended hilarity.' Retrospective reviews, such as that from AllMovie, gave it a one and a half star rating, criticizing its gratuitous animal slaughters and lack of coherent statement. Assistant professor Danny Shipka described it as a 'ridiculous film.' Despite its poor critical reception, the film remains a reference point for the extreme content and exploitative themes of the cannibal subgenre.

Did You Know?

• The film was released in Italy on March 20, 1980.
• The film uses footage taken from Lenzi's own earlier films Man from the Deep River, Last Cannibal World, and The Mountain of the Cannibal God.