Eaten Alive (by the cannibals) is the least known of the three major Italian gut-munching cannibal movies, the other two being Rugero Deodato's "Cannibal Holocaust" and Lenzi's own "Cannibal Ferox". I use the words 'least famous' carefully because this film is still highly popular among cult collectors and a definite must see for exploitation fanatics. Even though Cannibal Ferox is more notorious, it's actually Eaten Alive that tells the most intriguing story! The feared cannibals of the New Guinean jungle are secondary to the story of a mad purification sect, of which the leader – Jonas – holds a wealthy American girl captive. Her younger sister goes on an expedition to rescue her, accompanied by a nihilist desperado who deserted during the Vietnam War. Eaten Alive (by the Cannibals) features loads of nudity, repulsive gore and inhuman cruelty and it is, of course, better not viewed by the faint-hearted and/or easily offended people. Even those with the strongest stomachs will have a hard time sitting through some of the nauseating sickness featuring! I can only say: Well done Mr. Lenzi!! But, if you do love this type of extraordinary film-making, you'll be impressed by the beauty and style Umberto Lenzi brings to the screen. The anthropology aspects as well as the stunning locations and images of wildlife are some of the most intriguing shots ever featuring in controversial cinema land. And then of course, there's the score! These films are actually worth watching for the music alone. The mesmerizing tunes that guide this atmospheric jungle adventure are almost too beautiful for words. Ignorant opponents of the horror genre will most likely disagree but I think "Eaten Alive" is essential viewing for the fans of extreme shock-cinema. Just make sure you watch a fully uncut version.

Umberto Lenzi's madcap jungle caper can't really be called a cannibal film. The cannibals themselves are hardly featured in this film, which concentrates on the activities of a religious cult in the middle of the jungle and the wacko who leads it. This truly crazy film is a mixture of different themes, scenes and rip offs of other films, and to see it is beyond belief. In the end it all comes down to exploitation, and EATEN ALIVE is one of the funniest films that you'll ever see. With poor acting and atrocious dubbing, it's a bad movie fanatic's dream come true. Almost every scene is awash with female nudity, plus plenty of gratuitous violence which the Italians know and love. The cannibal chomp down, when it comes, is rather short and consists of the typical dismembering and beheading. Other than that we're treated to the sight of Robert Kerman running around and killing natives left, right, and centre.

The acting will seem poor to a newcomer to this genre, but it's the type I'm fond of: extremely wooden. Kerman is the supposedly macho character, all that is required of him is to lead expeditions and fight off enemies. Janet Agren, the female lead, is blank and expressionless too. The interest comes from Ivan Rassimov, who goes way over the top as a mad sect leader (his character based on the real-life Jim Jones, who lead a similar suicide cult),dressed in robes and eyeliner. He's insane! Other familiar faces pad out the cast, from Me Me Lai (AU PAIR GIRLS) to Mel Ferrer.

This film has it all: men running around firing darts, people being drugged, painted gold, committing suicide in a hilarious way, running through the jungle and plenty of violence, although the gore content is kept to a minimum. Lenzi is more interested in the activities of the religious cult he has created. One thing the film has going for it, though, is an exciting ending where Kerman runs towards the helicopter as the cannibals close in behind him. It had me on the edge of my seat anyway. If you're a fan of the Italian exploitation genre of the early '80s, then EATEN ALIVE is indeed the one for you.

Rich gal Sheila Morris (lovely blonde Janet Agren) hires scruffy guide Mark Butler (nicely played with rugged conviction by Robert Kerrman) to find her sister Diana (busty brunette Paola Senatore) who has gone missing in the treacherous jungle of New Guinea. The pair run afoul of not only a deadly tribe of savage cannibals, but also a freaky Jim Jones-type religious cult led by the deranged Jonas (a smooth portrayal by Ivan Rassimov).

Writer/director Umberto Lenzi keeps the enjoyably lurid story moving along at a brisk pace, maintains a harsh and unapologetic take-no-prisoners sleazy tone throughout, and delivers a pleasing generous amount of both tasty gratuitous female nudity -- statuesque stunner Agren gets stripped naked and painted gold -- and in-your-face nasty gore that includes a castration, decapitation, evisceration, and the expected graphic gut munching. Comely Me Me Lai lends sturdy support as helpful native girl Mowara while token big name Mel Ferror pops up in a few scenes as knowledgeable professor Carter. Federico Zanni's handsome cinematography provides several breathtaking shots of the lush tropical scenery. The funky-throbbing score by Roberto Donati and Fiamma Maglione hits the get-down groovy spot. Good low-grade fun.