Eaten
Alive
(1977/MVD/Arrow Blu-ray w/DVD)
Picture:
B+/B- Sound: B+/B- Extras: B+ Film: C+
Tobe
Hooper's 1977 film Eaten
Alive
is a bizarre horror/psychological film that isn't for everyone and
his first film after making The
Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Featuring a young Robert Englund (Freddy of the original A
Nightmare on Elm Street
series), along with Marilyn Burns (Texas
Chainsaw Massacre),
Neville Brand and William Finley (Phantom
of the Paradise),
the bizarre film is set in Louisiana and is in many ways similar to
Hitchcock's Psycho
just on a much darker Southern setting. Arrow has done an
outstanding job with this release debuting a new 2K restoration of
the film, a collectible insert booklet, and tons of extras this not
as well known film is here in deluxe form.
A
psychotic redneck who owns a dilapidated hotel called the Star Light
in rural East Texas kills various people who upset him or his
business, and he feeds their bodies to a large crocodile that he
keeps as a pet in the swamp beside his hotel.
The
2K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative approved by
Tobe Hooper features a sharp 1080p high definition transfer with a
1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio on Blu-ray with a PCM 1.0 Original
Mono audio track (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray). The colors are
sharp and the blacks pure throughout, making the film look better
than ever, and it needed the upgrade. There's also a DVD included
which presents the film in standard definition and a lossy Dolby
Digital Mono 1.0 track as originally release and a sliver better than
the Dark Sky DVD.
Special
Features include...
Audio
commentary with co-writer and producer Mardi Rustam, actors Roberta
Collins, William Finley and Kyle Richards, and make-up artist Craig
Reardon
New
introduction to the film by Hooper
Blood
on the Bayou - a brand new interview with Hooper
Gator
Bait - a brand new interview with star Janus Blythe
Monsters
and Metaphors - a brand new interview with make-up artist Craig
Reardon
The
Gator Creator - an archive interview with Hooper
My
Name is Buck - an archive interview with star Robert Englund
5ive
Minutes with Marilyn Burns - the late Texas Chain Saw star discusses
her role in Eaten Alive
The
Butcher of Elmendorf: The Legend of Joe Ball - featurette looking at
the true-life story of the South Texas bar owner on whom Eaten Alive
is loosely based
Original
theatrical trailers for the film under its various alternate titles:
Eaten Alive, Death Trap, Starlight Slaughter and Horror Hotel
TV
and Radio Spots
Alternate
Opening Titles
Behind
the Scenes Slideshow
Stills
and Promo Material Gallery
Audience
Comment Cards
Reversible
sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary
Pullin
Collector's
booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Brad Stevens,
illustrated with original archive stills and posters.
All
in all, the film is very creepy with an unnerving soundtrack and
cinematography that is very claustrophobic, making it an interesting
psychological study. If you're a fan of the original Texas
Chainsaw Massacre,
then you might enjoy this one also.
For
more on the film from our previous coverage of older DVD editions,
try these links:
Elite
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4420/Eaten+Alive+(Elite+DVD-Video+re-issu
Dark
Sky
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5990/Eaten+Alive+%E2%80%93+2-Disc+Sp
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.facebook.com/jhl5films
