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"The Body Snatcher" Reviews/Discussion - 2020 Horror Challenge

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"The Body Snatcher" Reviews/Discussion - 2020 Horror Challenge

Old 09-29-20, 11:41 PM
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"The Body Snatcher" Reviews/Discussion - 2020 Horror Challenge



The Body Snatcher (1945)


Selected by alyxstarr


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IMDB ENTRY

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ALYXSTARR LINK - Commentary by director Robert Wise & film historian Steve Haberman
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These "October Horror Movie Challenge" threads are for the discussion of the films in the 31 FILM SUBSET list.

The plan is for everyone to watch this film on the October day in the thread title, and to start discussing it the morning of the following day.
You may start discussion early if you want, but the preferred plan is for this to be as much of a group exercise as possible, with all of us viewing it "together" and discussing after.

Of course, you are totally encouraged to participate in these threads even if you haven't watched the movie on the designated day.
Even if you haven't watched it in years, or are not participating in the Horror Challenge, please feel free to chime in.



Spoiler tags aren't always used in here, so if you have yet to see the film BEWARE OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS.

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2020 DISCUSSION | 2020 LISTS

Old 10-16-20, 03:05 PM
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Re: "The Body Snatcher" Reviews/Discussion - 2020 Horror Challenge

I hadn’t seen this one before which surprised me. I enjoyed it. When the carriage took off at the end I just kept hoping the horse would break away and not go off the cliff.
Old 10-16-20, 06:13 PM
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Re: "The Body Snatcher" Reviews/Discussion - 2020 Horror Challenge

Even in hushed tones Boris Karloff's voice evokes menace. I enjoyed it too.
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Old 10-16-20, 11:41 PM
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Re: "The Body Snatcher" Reviews/Discussion - 2020 Horror Challenge

I've seen this before, but it was nice to watch the Scream Factory blu ray. It looks fantastic. This is my favorite Boris Karloff movie. Just wonderful in every way. 5/5 stars.
Old 10-17-20, 12:08 AM
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Re: "The Body Snatcher" Reviews/Discussion - 2020 Horror Challenge

The Burke and Hare references seem surprisingly meta kick starting the narrative with a simple name drop (making this a semi-sequel but calling on a lot of history). I love the moral conflict of a doctor who is ok with nefarious corpses for the greater good but unwilling to help a kid because he has more important things. Karloff murdering the witless black mailer in a way he narrates in advance is chilling and effective. Probably my least favorite bit is the end, it's too familar with Tell Tale Heart and seems like it steps away from the ambigious morality to make the teacher seem distressed now that the most deserving victim got some come uppance (almost out of character, but I suppose it's not be the doctor who commonly murders people before). It's neat how the girls physical/mental ailment seems to mirror that doctors mental state - that at the end only anxiety is crippling her but as she challenges herself so does the doctor challenge Karloff reversing their states with the doctor helpless and the patient liberated.

I didn't realize Scream released this on blu-ray; we definiely need more high definition (or 4K) Val Lewton.

Last edited by Undeadcow; 10-17-20 at 09:49 AM.
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Old 10-17-20, 12:30 PM
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Re: "The Body Snatcher" Reviews/Discussion - 2020 Horror Challenge

Yes , the Scream blu looks nice. It’s even got a nice commentary track. I really enjoyed this one. All the Karloff monologues had me thinking about the Grinch cartoon. One of my favorite views this year so far.
Old 10-20-20, 08:57 PM
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Re: "The Body Snatcher" Reviews/Discussion - 2020 Horror Challenge

I’m watching a lot of Karloff this Challenge. Even if many are fairly similar in plots, I’m always entertained when he’s in a film.

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