Wednesday, October 31, 2007

THE SEVERED ARM (1973) Detailed Synopsis (SPOILER ALERT!!)


The following is a detailed synopsis (Storyline) of one of my favorite films, THE SEVERED ARM (1973). I warn you in advance in case you haven't seen the movie: "SIX FRIENDS SPEND THEIR VACATION EXPLORING A CAVE WHEN IT COLLAPSES. AFTER 30 DAYS WITH NO FOOD, THE GROUP DECIDES TO DRAW STRAWS, THE LOSER HAS TO GIVE UP AN ARM SO THE OTHERS CAN EAT IT. TED IS THE LOSER AND HAS HIS ARM CUT OFF (MUCH TO HIS PROTEST OF "PLEASE WAIT A FEW HOURS MORE!") AND MINUTES LATER, THE GROUP HEARS DIGGING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAVE-IN, THEY ARE SAVED! REALIZING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS, THE GROUP CONCOCTS A STORY THAT TED HAD HIS ARM CRUSHED IN THE CAVE-IN AND THEY HAD TO CUT IT OFF TO SAVE HIS LIFE. TED ENDS UP IN AN INSANE ASYLUM AND VOWS REVENGE. FIVE YEARS PASS AND TED IS RELEASED FROM THE ASYLUM. ONE OF THE SURVIVERS RECIEVES A HUMAN ARM IN THE MAIL AND CALLS THE OTHER FOUR TO GET TOGETHER FOR A MEETING. SINCE THEY ARE ALL SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMEN (DOCTOR, POLICE DETECTIVE, TV WRITER, ARCHITECT, RADIO DISC JOCKEY) AND THEY DO NOT WANT THE TRUTH TO COME OUT, THEY DECIDE TO HUNT DOWN TED AND PUT HIM BACK IN THE ASYLUM. TED HAS OTHER PLANS. THE DOCTOR IS HIS FIRST VICTIM, HIS ARM IS CUT OFF WITH AN AXE. THE D.J. IS NEXT. HE HAS HIS ARM HACKED OFF WHILE HE IS LIVE ON THE AIR. THE ARCHITECT GETS HIS ARM CUT OFF WHILE IN AN ELEVATOR. THE REMAINING TWO ENLIST THE HELP OF TED'S DAUGHTER TO HELP THEM CAPTURE TED. SHE HAS A MEETING WITH HER FATHER AT THE BEACH, SO THE TWO DECIDE TO LAY A TRAP, BUT JUST WHO IS LAYING THE TRAP? THE TRAP BACKFIRES AND THE DETECTIVE HAS HIS ARM RIPPED OFF (HE IS TOSSED OFF A CLIFF WITH A ROPE ATTACHED TO HIS ARM; THIS SCENE IS EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE). IN THE END, IT TURNS OUT THAT TED'S DAUGHTER AND SON ARE THE REAL KILLERS. THEY ARE AVENGING THEIR FATHER WHO IS NOW A VEGETABLE IN A WHEELCHAIR. THEY LOCK UP THE TV WRITER IN A PADDED ROOM WITH NOTHING BUT A SHARP KNIFE, TELLING HIM THAT WHEN HE GET'S HUNGRY ENOUGH, HE WILL CUT OFF HIS OWN ARM FOR NOURISHMENT. THE CHILDREN GLEEFULLY SHOW THEIR FATHER WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, BUT HE JUST STARES BLANKLY INTO SPACE, NOT ABLE TO RELISH THE RETRIBUTION HE SO STRONGLY DESIRED TO PERFORM." THE END. Tomorrow will be a writeup of the cast and crew of THE SEVERED ARM. I hope everyone has a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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