‘The tenant in room 7 is very small, very twisted and very mad’
Basket Case is a 1982 American horror film, written and directed by Frank Henenlotter (Frankenhooker).
The film is notable for its low-budget and over-the-top violence. It soon gained a cult following in the 1980s, spurred by the advent of home video. It spawned two sequels, Basket Case 2 (1990) and Basket Case 3: The Progeny (1991), both also directed by Henenlotter.
Plot:
A young man named Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) has a Siamese twin brother who lives in a basket. At birth, the monstrous twin with a swollen claw-like hand was attached to Duane’s side. At an early age, they were surgically separated against their will. Duane’s twin deeply resented being cut-off from his normal-looking brother. After the mutilation of Dr. Lifflander in the quiet town of Glens Falls, the brothers go to New York. Neither brother can rest until they avenge their surgical separation by killing the doctors responsible…
Reviews:
“There’s a great bit where Belial destroys the room, and it’s impressive even today (even more so when you consider the movie’s $35,000 budget – and shot on film!). More often than not his movements are done by off-screen puppeteers or the actor he’s attacking just pretending that they are struggling, but I’ll take a little bit of stop motion over anything else. Also, Belial’s breathing creeps me out. It sounded like a combination of Michael Myers’ breathing and a cat purring.” Horror Movie a Day
US Blu-ray Extras:
- Audio Commentary with writer/director Frank Henenlotter, producer Edgar Levins, actress Beverly Bonner, and filmmaker Scooter McRae
- Introduction by director Frank Henenlotter
- Outtakes
- “In Search of the Hotel Broslin” featurette
- Gallery of Exploitation Art and Behind the Scenes Photos
- Theatrical Trailer -Basket Case 2 Trailer -TV Spots -Radio Spots
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UK Extras:
What’s in the Basket? - A look at the making of the trilogy with director Frank Henenlotter; actors Kevin VanHentenryck, Beverly Bonner, Annie Ross; producers Edgar Ievans and James Glickenbaus; make-up effects artists John Caglione Jr, Kevin Haney, Gabe Bartalos and Fangoria writer Uncle Bob Martin.
Interview with Graham Humphreys - The legendary film poster artist discusses his career up to the creation of the new ‘Basket Case Trilogy’ artwork.
Basket Case: Video Introduction by Frank Henenlotter; Audio Commentary by director Frank Henenlotter, producer Edgar Ievins and actress Beverly Bonner; Outtakes & Behind The Scenes; 2001 Video Short - The Hotel Broslin; Trailers & Radio Spots; Photo Gallery - behind the scenes, promotional material, stills.
Buy Basket Case Trilogy on Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk
” … like David Lynch’s 1977 oddball classic Eraserhead (a clear influence) updated for the slasher generation, Basket Case is a deranged psychodrama, full of gleefully gory set-pieces, quirky humour, and some impossibly moving pathos. So if you are looking for a true original to stand out from the Eighties crowd, they do not come crazier than this.” Anton Bitel, Eye For Film
“Henenlotter’s consistent blurring of the line between horror and comedy is one of the more perverse side effects of his warped sensibility, keeping viewers off balance, so that they never know whether the punchline to one of Basket Case‘s many gags will be just that, a crude joke, or the sight of someone getting their face ripped to shreds.” Judd Wilkins, Slant
Wikipedia | IMDb | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Posted by Will Holland
Categories: 1980s, gory, maniac, psychopath
Agreed! Hennenlotter truly knows how to crank up the sleeze and I love all of his monumentally twisted filmic baby’s!
One of my all time favorites. Scared the living hell out of me first time I saw it.