There are some B movies and there's "The Severed Arm". It makes a whole lot of sense in every way. Especially, when the postal worker gives you a special delivery. That delivery contains a severed arm. That arm eventually brings back a memory of some men who ventured into a cave and get trapped for days. During their time, they would resort into cannibalism in order to survive. So they resort in maiming one of victims. After being rescued, they concocted a story to the police about the cave-in. 5 years later, one of the men received a cut up arm in the package. And their nightmare is just the beginning. The doctor is assaulted. And the rest of them have been maimed and/or killed by the limb hacker. Is it the comrade exacting revenge? Or is it a copycat with the same M.O.? You decide. Before Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers, this is the first killer in slasher film history. Way before "Prom Night". One must not make hasty remarks about B movies. This movie may have flaws, but it was entertaining. And it's the beginning of Angus Scrimm 6 years before "Phantasm"! 2 out of 5 stars
The Severed Arm
1973
Action / Horror
The Severed Arm
1973
Action / Horror
Keywords: murderslashercaveaxe murderproto-slasher
Plot summary
Jeff Ashton recoiled in horror after finding a severed arm inside a package just delivered to his door. It immediately reminded him of what happened five years ago, when he and five of his pals were trapped in a cave inside a desolate mine they'd been exploring. After two weeks and facing starvation, their only option had been to resort of cannibalism in order to survive. Reluctantly they agreed to draw straws and Ted sacrificed a limb so everybody could have a meal. Seconds after cutting off their friend's arm they were rescued and blamed the amputation on the rockfall. The five men swore never to tell anyone what had really happened. Ted said he'd never foget what they'd done to him and vowed revenge.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
Depending on your taste in horror
Why didn't you wait for a few more minutes?
One of the unfortunate heroes hints at the sixty sailors lost at sea;but there's also a French nursery rhyme ("IL était un petit navire" =once upon a time a little ship )which goes like this :
"They drew straws To know who would be eaten.
The lot fell on the youngest, The cabin boy who set to crying Next they ponder with what sauce The poor child will be eaten."
With gore kept to the minimum,the scene in the cave (which follows the plot of the folk song ,so to speak ) ,and the terrifying ending (which will make your hair stand on hair ) make stuff like "saw" almost look like fairytales. Remember it was made in the early seventies!
There's a slight sag in the tension towards the middle of the movie which has a tendency to become repetitive ,but it regains its strength in the final sequences .
A must for horror movies!
Nothing special
Despite the ghastly allure of the title, THE SEVERED ARM plays out as more of a long-winded and understated thriller than a proper full-on horror flick. The idea is a good one and the scenes of the cave-in and subsequent events inside the cave, portrayed in flashback, are as horrifying as they come. But the modern day murder sequences are performed by rote without any kind of suspense, surprise or horror whatsoever. They just happen, and when the characters involved are so underwritten and played by such underperforming non-actors as the assembled cast members here, you simply don't care.