Body Parts

Theatrical Release Date: 1991 08 02 (USA)

UPC: 097363251842

Studio: Paramount

MPAA Rating: R   Contains:[Violence, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Profanity]

Summary: When prison psychiatrist Bill Chrushank (Jeff Fahey) loses an arm in a car accident, he receives a revolutionary new transplant from an unknown donor, who is later discovered to have been a recently-executed psycho-killer. During his recovery, Bill is tormented by violent nightmares and aggressive new impulses -- and his limb seems to have developed a malevolent will of its own, acting independently and lashing out beyond his control. He eventually discovers that an artist named Remo Lacey (Brad Dourif) -- whose work is influenced by the same nightmares -- is the recipient of the killer's other arm. Before long, the same donor's legs turn up on yet another man, who harbors the same violent mood swings... and the inevitable "reunion" culminates in a violent, gory finale. Written and directed by Eric Red (based on the novel Choice Cuts by Pierre Boileau & Thomas Narcejac), this is a stylish and tightly-paced film (the harrowing car chase is a definite nail-biter), but the ball is sadly dropped by a weak script that discards the twisted potential of its premise (is the donor arm influencing Chrushank's mind, or vice versa?), lapsing instead into standard slasher-think. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Category: Horror

Features: ccWidescreen version enhanced for 16:9 tvs
Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround and Dolby Surround
French Stereo
English subtitles

Body Parts

Format: DVD

Release Date: 09/14/2004

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1, DS Dolby Surround (4.0), DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 88 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French

Subtitles: English

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 --
1. Fix Me [6:19]
2. Every Second Counts [10:05]
3. One Day at a Time [6:03]
4. Same Old Dad [4:22]
5. Freak of Science [8:28]
6. Something Is Not Right [8:36]
7. A Mind of Its Own [8:30]
8. I Want it Off [5:38]
9. Where Does Evil Live? [4:41]
10. Fletcher's Limbs [7:54]
11. I'm Next [5:20]
12. Whole Again [12:09]

Donald Guarisco

This odd horror film doesn't always make sense but it is never dull and manages to be quite entertaining in its own EC Comics-type way. Writer/director Eric Red cut his horror auteur teeth writing the script for The Hitcher and takes a similar approach here, painting the plot and characters in broad strokes so he can really put his power behind the realization of the shock sequences. The script doesn't follow through on some of its most interesting ideas (like the concept that evil can reside in a body part) but the plot moves along at a taut pace. It also works in plenty of gripping setpieces along the way: the handcuff-linked car chase is an obvious choice, but the opening car-wreck scene and an operation scene shot in point-of-view style through a distorted lens are also standout moments. Red also achieves a tremendously creepy atmosphere, a mood aided considerably by Loek Dikker's spine-tingling musical score and Theo Van De Sande's moody cinematography. Finally, the film is blessed with an excellent cast of character actors that wisely play the material straight: Jeff Fahey is sympathetic and edgy by turns as the confused hero, Brad Dourif adds some color as one of his fellow transplant recipients and Lindsay Duncan wisely underplays her doctor role to intensify its creepiness. All in all, Body Parts is more of an exercise in style than an all-around classic but it is fully capable of creeping a viewer out on its own level. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Hal Eisen  Actor 
Larry McLean  Actor 
Arlene Duncan  Actor 
Gene Mack  Actor 
Lynn Remus  Actor 
Andy Humphrey  Actor 
Fern Champion  Actor 
Gene Dinovi  Actor 
Teri Lee  Actor 
Allan Price  Actor 
Peter MacNeill  Actor 
Taia Red  Actor 
Lindsay Merrithew  Actor 
Johnny Mandel  Actor 
Richard Monda  Actor 
John Stoneham  Actor 
James Kidnie  Actor 
Dori Zuckerman  Actor 
Miriam Cutler  Composer (Music Score) 
Loek Dikker  Composer (Music Score) 
Patricia Herskovic  Screenwriter 
Michael MacDonald  Producer 
Frank Mancuso, Jr.  Producer 
Eric Red  Director 
Eric Red  Screenwriter 
Norman Snider  Screenwriter 
Matt Devlen  Producer 
Joyce Taylor  Screenwriter 
Jeff Fahey  Actor 
Lindsay Duncan  Actor 
Brad Dourif  Actor 
Zakes Mokae  Actor 
Peter Murnik  Actor 
Paul Ben-Victor  Actor 
John Walsh  Actor 
Nathaniel Moreau  Actor 
Sarah Campbell  Actor 

Country: USA