Body Bags (1993) (TV)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Directors:

John Carpenter
Tobe Hooper

Writers (WGA):

Billy Brown (written by) &
Dan Angel (written by)

Release Date:

8 August 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Horror | Comedy | Thriller

Tagline:

Zip yourself in tight!

Plot:

Three short stories in the horror genre The first about a serial killer The second about a hair transplant...

Plot Keywords:

Serial Killer | Transplant | Hair | Optometrist | Humor

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

John Carpenter	...	The Coroner (segment "The Morgue")
Tom Arnold	...	Morgue Worker #1 (segment "The Morgue")
Tobe Hooper	...	Morgue Worker #2 (segment "The Morgue")
Robert Carradine	...	Bill (segment "The Gas Station")
Alex Datcher	...	Anne (segment "The Gas Station")
Peter Jason	...	Gent (segment "The Gas Station")
Molly Cheek	...	Divorcee (segment "The Gas Station")
Wes Craven	...	Pasty Faced Man
Sam Raimi	...	Dead Bill (segment "The Gas Station")
David Naughton	...	Pete (segment "The Gas Station")
George 'Buck' Flower	...	Stranger (segment "The Gas Station") (as Buck Flower)
Lucy Boryer	...	Peggy (segment "The Gas Station")
Roger Rooks	...	TV Anchorman (segment "The Gas Station")
Stacy Keach	...	Richard Coberts (segment "Hair")
David Warner	...	Dr. Lock (segment "Hair")

Also Known As:

John Carpenter Presents 'Body Bags'
John Carpenter Presents 'Mind Games' (USA) (cable TV title)

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Germany:18 (cut) | Argentina:13 | Australia:R | UK:18 | USA:R | Spain:18 | Finland:K-18 (2002) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1994) | Iceland:16 | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Company:

187 Corp.

Trivia:

Was made as the pilot episode for a proposed anthology series to air on Showtime, but Showtime pulled the plug.

Quotes:

Pete: I forgot my credit card.

Movie Connections:

References The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Soundtrack:

ALMOST CUT MY HAIR

Horror Anthology for Insiders

Movie-buffs (and perhaps horror fanatics in particular) are strange and unpredictable beings, aren't they? Most of the time we're extremely skeptical and criticize ambitious new projects, yet sometimes we're easily pleased and highly enthusiast about something that is completely derivative, mundane and unoriginal. "Body Bags" is the perfect example to illustrate that: it's a horror omnibus existing of three incredibly prototypic segments and a repetitive type of wraparound story, yet I personally enjoyed it immensely. This is a good old-fashioned "sit back, relax and switch off all brain functions" type of anthology with a nice diversity in suspense, comedy, splatter and absurdity. Yet, the undeniable strongpoint of "Body Bags" is the all-star horror cast and crew, with legendary actors and even directors of the genre appearing in fun supportive roles and insignificant cameos. No less than John Carpenter directs two out of three stories and even stars as the host in the wraparound story. Clearly inspired by "Tales from the Crypt", Carpenter plays the witty and morbid morgue employee exactly like the infamous Crypt Keeper; though with still a little more flesh around the bones (though not too much). The first story was the most effective one! Regardless of how clichéd, repetitive and predictable "The Gas Station" is, it's a genuine horror entertainment. With the landmark "Halloween", Carpenter obviously proved he's the undeniable master of stalk-and-slash movies, and "The Gas Station" ideally fits the pattern. During her first night working in a remote gas station, Anne receives a visit from the maniacal killer who's been terrorizing the area since weeks. It's a highly segment with cool red herrings, dumb decisions, some good gore and a neatly uncanny atmosphere. The remaining two stories are slightly less overpowering, mainly because they revolve on sillier topics. "Hair" introduces an aging playboy who cannot accept his hairline becoming thinner. He desperately starts seeking for a hair-growing method that works and finds the incredibly treatment of the slightly odd Dr. Lock. Needless to say Richard's new hairdo begins to lead its own life with terrible consequences. "Hair" is obviously the most blackly comical chapter of the three. This story isn't gory or tense, but it's a very likable satire about vanity. Finally, "Eye" centers on a successful and happily married athlete who loses his eye in a tragic car accident. He spontaneously volunteers for a brand new and risky eye-transplant procedure and slowly begins to carry on with his life. Shortly after, he begins to suffer from horrific visions and learns the eye's previous owner was a sadistic serial killer. "Eye" starts off a little slow and dull, but gradually turns into an exciting and gruesome little shock-story. With a bit of imagination, you could even interpret this segment as some sort of predecessor for the more famous Asian ghost story "The Eye". Admittedly none of the stories are extraordinary brilliant or innovating, but they're definitely traditional and enthusiastically made. And, as said already, if you don't care about the actual stories, you can always yourself entertain by playing "spot-the-horror-star". "Body Bags" boosts an amazing cast including John Carpenter ("Halloween"), Tobe Hooper ("The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"), Sam Raimi ("The Evil Dead"), Roger Corman ("Pit and the Pendulum"), Wes Craven ("Nightmare on Elm Street"), Robert Carradine ("Orca"), David Naughton ("American Werewolf in London"), George Buck Flower ("The Fog"), Stacy Keach ("Mountain of the Cannibal God"), David Warner ("The Omen"), Mark Hamill ("Star Wars"), Twiggy ("The Doctor and the Devils"), Deborah Harry ("Videodrome") and Charles Napier ("Supervixens").