Eaten Alive is a 1976 horror film by Tobe Hooper. It features Robert Englund in his first movie role, as well as Mel Ferrer. The film is also listed under the title Death Trap.
In the Deep South, there's a crazy old war veteran named Judd (Neville Brand), who runs a hotel. He has a pet crocodile named Rocky, which he uses to dispose of people who upset him or his business. And there are plenty of those coming to stay at his place.
In 2000, Tobe Hooper released Crocodile, a Spiritual Successor to this film. Crocodile even references Eaten Alive.
This film features the examples of:
- Big Bad: Judd, a Serial Killer feeding people to his pet crocodile.
- Blood Is Squicker in Water: The water in Rocky's pen turns red when it bites on Buck's leg.
- The Cavalry Arrives Late: The sheriff appears on the scene just after Judd's death.
- Dead Hat Shot: After Rocky pulls Judd underwater, his prosthetic floats to the surface to signify that he is gone for good.
- Destination Defenestration: When trying to kill Clara, Judd accidentally stumbles through a window.
- Disposable Sex Worker: Clara is a fresh ex-prostitute on her moment of death.
- The Dog Bites Back: Faye undergoes a Trauma Conga Line that traces back to Judd, as he causes her husband and dog to be eaten by Rocky, tries to kill her daughter, ties up and molests Faye, and then injures her with a scythe before throwing her off a balcony. Consequently, the wounded Faye being the one to push Judd into the jaws of his pet crocodile feels appropriate.
- Eaten Alive: The Trope Namer.
- Event Title: Eaten Alive.
- Evil Cripple: Judd. He has a prosthetic leg.
- Fanservice: There is plenty of nudity.
- The Farmer and the Viper: Despite Judd regularly feeding him people, Rocky shows him no mercy in the end.
- Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: Played for Drama. Clara is a naive runaway turned prostitute who is bad at recognizing dangerous people and ends up as a Disposable Sex Worker, while her sister Libby is cool-headed, primly dressed, a competent judge of character, and survives the film.
- Hell Hotel: Pleasent place, shame about the customers fed to the crocodile.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: What ultimately happens to Judd.
- Hotter and Sexier: As if there wasn't enough nudity, the Japanese cut of the film inserted extra Male Frontal Nudity for Buck.
- Improbable Infant Survival: While others get instantly eaten in Rocky's pen, young Angie manages to avoid it and is rescued in the end.
- Just Desserts: Judd ends up eaten by his pet Rocky.
- Male Gaze: There are a couple of close-up shots of Buck's girlfriend Lynette's legs and butt as she bends over during a pool game. It stands out more because most of the film's other titillation is of a Fan Disservice variety due to being from the point-of-view of an unhinged voyeur, rapist and murderer.
- Never Smile at a Crocodile: Rocky the crocodile, Judd's pet.
- Ominous Fog: Hangs around the Starlight hotel.
- Organ Dodge: Roy tries to harm Judd by shooting him, but hits his prosthetic leg instead.
- Rhymes on a Dime: "Name's Buck... and I'm rarin' to fuck." And yes, this is where Tarantino got it.
- Serial Killer: Judd. He kills people either directly with his scythe or indirectly through Rocky.
- Shirtless Scene: Buck, before his death, goes to investigate strange sounds after some sex without putting on a shirt.
- Sinister Scythe: Judd's main weapon to chase and impale people with.
- Swamps Are Evil: Rocky lives in the swamp area.
- Talking to Themself: Judd spends a lot of time muttering to himself.
- Very Loosely Based on a True Story: Loosely based on the story of Joe Ball
. - Your Days Are Numbered: Harvey and Clara's father has an unnamed terminal illness that has him wanting to find Clara, make sure she's alright, and make amends with her for driving her away from home.
