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THE SEVERED ARM Directed by Thomas S. Alderman
Night of the Living Dead. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. A Nightmare on Elm Street. The Evil Dead. All of these movies have become standard fare in the world of horror cinema. Other lesser-known films have gained popularity in recent years like Fulci's Zombie, I Drink Your Blood and Blood Feast. Falling between the cracks are countless films that have experienced little or no home video treatment, even less television/cable attention and possibly no screenings since their initial theatrical/drive-in run. One of these sleepers is The Severed Arm. Released in 1973, this harsh film received its only uncut video release in the early 80s by Video Gems and had vanished until the mid-90s when a budget VHS (with many of the tapes defective - they had no sound) hit the shelves. Now, BCI/Brentwood offers up The Severed Arm, with the option of purchasing it by itself or as part of one of its popular multi-disc sets.
Six men set out on a trip to a desolate mine to strike it rich. A cave-in traps the men for several weeks. To avoid starving to death after their food and water supply is gone, they decide to resort to cannibalism. Ted, the unfortunate one who drew the shortest straw, has his arm cut off to feed the group. Just as his arm is severed, a rescue party arrives. Then men claim that they severed their friend's arm in order to save his life from an injury to his arm sustained in the cave-in.
Flash forward several years later. Each of the men, who have gone on to have successful lives while Ted ends up in an institution, are stalked by a mysterious figure. One of them receives a package in the mail carrying a severed arm. One of them has his arm chopped off. Another is killed while on the air when he is DJ-ing a radio show. Although it may seem logical to the others involved to track their friend who lost his arm during the terrible mining ordeal, all may not be what it seems.....
Although this film may not be the most popular film the horror genre has produced, its scare tactics are unique and original for its day. The now-cliche` "call is coming from inside the house" routine was pretty fresh for this 1973 film. Even the pseudo-SAW ending was visionary for its day.
BCI presents The Severed Arm 1.33:1 with Dolby Digital mono sound. The image and sound quality is only as good as the master it came from. It is, however, one of the better presentations by BCI. Unfortunately, it is a cut version of the film. There are no extras, as with many of their discs. The Severed Arm is a decent film when and should be given at least one viewing. Perhaps in the future this film will receive the uncut release it deserves and a careful re-master. Until then, one may find it worth their while to track down the Video Gems VHS. |
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