Basket Case
Tags: grindhouse film, murder, cult, violence, horror, flashback, psychedelic

Plot synopsis:
Dr Julius Liflander (Bill Freeman) tries to leave his home/laboratory, but he gets scared by the movement of the surrounding trees. Back home, he locks himself up and tries to call the police. A huge hand attacks him and kills him viciously.Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) arrives to New York from the northern small town of Glen Falls, to the ugly Hotel Broslin. Anthony (Robert Vogel), the hotel manager, mocks him and asks for twenty bucks a night. Duane is loaded, pays in cash and is given room 7. On her way up, Josephine (Dorothy Storngin) chit-chats about the old guest in his room. Once inside his room, Duane unlocks his basket and feeds it a huge quantity of hamburgers. Duane reads a thick volume of medical papers, where he appears as a patient. At night, Belial, the body in the basket, tries to talk to him, but Duane only wants to sleep. We know that Belial can leave the basket on his own. Josephine warns Duane that Bryan "Mickey" O'Donovan (Joe Clarke) was peeping through the keyhole because he saw the wad of bills which Duane had.Duane takes the basket to see Dr Harold Needleman MD (Lloyd Pace). Sharon (Terri Susan Smith) is the receptionist. She tries to make small conversation with Duane, who sees Dr Needleman under the name of Duane Smith. Duane rejects Sharon at first, but then he asks for her number and sets on a date. Needleman looks at the huge scars on the right side of Duane's body. When Needleman gets rid of Duane, he tries to contact Lifflander and when he can't, he phones Dr Judith Kutter (Diane Browne), who falsely denies of knowledge of Glen Falls. Meanwhile, Duane goes to the cinema to see a boring film, and he dozes off. A thief (Tom Robinson) steals the basket, and is attacked by Belial when he opens the basket. After Sharon has left, Duane leaves and opens the box. Belial is free to terrorize and kill Needleman, and also takes Needleman's address book.Duane buys a television set for Belial, so that he can go out with Sharon. They kiss, but as Belial has a telepathic link with Duane, he gets frantic and messes up room 7. All the guests and the receptionist run to see what happens and they enter the room. O'Donovan realises where the cash money is. Apart from the mess, nothing strange appears on the room. They all leave, but O'Donoval comes back to take the money. He is attacked and killed by Belial on room 8. Duane feels sick because of Belial's terror, so he comes back running to the Broslin Hotel. The police is already there. A detective (Kerry Buff) registers room 7, asking Duane about a dog, but finds nothing. Belial had hidden on the toilet.Duane takes the basket to a bar, where he gets drunk. Josephine keeps him company. Duane says all the truth to her, but she doesn't believe him. Duane talks about their mother, who died giving birth to them. Belial and him were brought up by their aunt (Ruth Neuman), as their father (Richard Pierce) would like to kill them both, especially Belial. A social worker (Ilze Balodis) visits them, as Aunt has asked for custody. She is terrified when he sees a younger Duane (Sean McCabe) with Belial at his right side of the body. Father thinks that Belial is not even a person. No doctor dares to try to separate both twin brothers, as it would mean the death of Belial, but finally, three doctors perform the surgery. At night, Duane is woken up. He picks Belial up from a rubbish bag put out with the rest of the rubbish. That night, when Belial recovers, kills Father by cutting him in half. Aunt will keep on taking care of the brothers. After this story, back at the Broslin Hotel, Josephine puts Duane to bed and leaves. Back on her room, Josephine realises that Belial is there, caressing her. She screams and wakes all the guests up. Belial is gone fast. He has stolen Josephine's sexy underwear, and takes it with him to his basket.Dr Kutter is a vet. A dog barks to the basket. With plenty of noise and blood, Belial kills her.Sharon visits Duane after she comes to know that Dr Needleman is dead. They try to make love but Belial doesn't want Duane to have or sex, or be in love, or be independent. Duane gets angry with Belial for the first time. Belial hesitates in killing Duane.Duane dreams of himself runnin naked through the city. Sharon is sleeping naked. Duane touches her on her dream and then he starts making love to her. Suddenly, he wakes up. He realises that it was not a dream: Belial is making love to her. By that, Belial is killing her with lots of blood spilled all over the place. Duane is so anry with him that he tries to kill him. Duane takes Belial back to the hotel. He and Belial die because they fall through the window because of the fight. Basket Case (1982) happens to be one of the greatest shoe string budget horror films ever made. A true cult classic and a tragic tale of brotherly love and jealousy. The sleazy surroundings and characters that the movie was shot in and around adds to it's charm. Duane and Belial are a pair of brothers you don't want to cross paths with. This film was such a success that it spawned two sequels and a funny cameo in another. Highly recommended.
Belial?

Review: Basket Case is no exception to this, as despite hokey effects, a rather silly story and some very suspect acting; Basket Case is a trash classic all the way, and it's a film that's guaranteed to delight fans of horror.
This leads the two brothers to seek out the doctors that separated them and brutally butcher them, and delivering us with a great camp horror movie!
Basket Case (1982) happens to be one of the greatest shoe string budget horror films ever made.
I went into Basket Case thinking "Oh God, this is going to be excruciating." The first five minutes totally shattered my expectations.This movie wasn't boring and horrible- it was hilarious, gory and great.
All the Roach Hotel's patrons were hilarious, especially the crazy woman who just shows up and tells random stories and then disappears quickly.Basket Case is great for Bad Movie Connoisseurs and gore lovers.
It's rare to see a horror film that is actually "good", featuring an original premise and decent acting/plot.
A flashback to Duane's and Belial's separation and events in the film actually made me feel sorry for both (Duane because Belial won't let him have any time or romance for himself, and Belial because everyone is deathly afraid of him but his brother).For a low budget '80s flick, Belial actually looks really good for the most part; though the first few deaths in the movie where he remains invisible are still more effective.
One interesting side effect of the DVD revolution is that I've been watching lots of movies I haven't seen for YEARS, and some aren't as great as I remember them to be, and others are better.
'Basket Case' was one of THE great late 70s/early 80s low (and I mean looooow!) budget horror movies, linked in my mind with such genre classics as 'Phantasm' and 'Evil Dead'.
Look, it isn't perfect, the animation sequences in particular are pretty poor, but considering the lack of funds, it's creepy, bizarre and doesn't take itself very seriously, and Kevin VanHentenryck (Duane) actually gives a very good performance.
He checks into a cheap hotel and inside the basket is his deformed and horrid Siamese twin brother, Belial separated forcefully by some doctors under their father's order when they were young.
He even split his own father in two.Basket Case is regarded as a low budget camp classic horror.
In fact once you realise there is a death coming, you gather that the screaming is just padding to extend the length of the movie.I liked the comical hotel manager trying to keep order in his dive but having endured this film you kind of wonder why it is held in such a high regard.
Basket Case was a funny, scary, and shocking low-budget horror film from Frank Henenlotter.
Written and directed by Frank Henenlotter, Basket Case is obviously low-budget and amateurish with cheesy moments to spare especially whenever Belial attacks someone.
After arriving in New York, a young man carrying around a large wicker basket begins a rampage of terror against the team of doctors who separated him from his Siamese twin brother, and upon realizing the contents of the large basket try to stop him from concluding his rampage.This ended up being a generally lame effort overall.
.....right up there with Evil Dead and The Re-Animator, however...With "Basket Case" what you have here is a low-budget horror film that has an utterly fantastic plot, but unfortunately was made with only a passably mediocre level of execution.
but regardless of that Basket Case certainly has it's moments of brilliance, be sure of that, a few of which are simply enthralling - in a corny, low-budget kind of way of course.The movies plot is one that circles around revenge, but it's really more than that as you'll see throughout it's twisted 90 minute duration, starting off with murder things are quite off-the-wall from the get go.
Being as specific about it as I can without giving away spoilers, I think most will agree that the movie is at it's best during the revenge killing sequences, where you get to see the basket case itself in it's full and gruesome glory.
Wait for that toilet seat to rise, now THAT'S quality schlock AND comedy gold!All in all Basket Case is a lot of fun (some scenes especially), just don't expect it to ever rise above anything other then what it is: a cheap and corny horror film from the early 80's.Lastly, if Basket Case doesn't tantalize you, then perhaps it's two sequels from the early 90's will..
Well, I just never had the chance to watch it, and just happened to come across all three movies this year.I had heard about "Basket Case" for sure, and was under the impression that it was sort of an important movie in a way to the horror genre back in 1982.
But Kevin Van Hentenryck did manage to leave an impression of sorts, with the odd portrayal of the Duane Bradley character.As for the special effects in the movie, well let's just say that I am sure it was fairly scary and impressive back in 1982.
The creature, Belial, while its concept design was quite interesting, it looked awfully fake and laughable on the screen.For a horror movie, then "Basket Case" wasn't really all that scary, perhaps because most of the movie was laced with a faint comedy aspect as well.
Though riddled with lotsa z-grade flaws and cheesy cheapness, Basket Case (surprisingly) still does manage to deliver a grotesque, little frenzy of grimy horror movie fun from the early 1980s.I don't think that I need to tell you that Basket Case is mighty far from being considered a great movie.
But, all the same, it is genuinely creepy and absurd and (at times) equally funny in a very twisted, tongue-in-cheek sort of way.(In other words - This Horror/Comedy is so bad that it's actually good)Basket Case tells a decidedly grim and grubby little tale about the small-town misfit nerd named Duane Bradley who travels to NYC in order to track down and kill the doctors who (under his father's raging demands) were responsible for surgically separating him from his beloved, Siamese-twin brother, Belial, some years earlier.Duane carries around his bad-natured, grotesquely malformed brother (who looks something like a squashed octopus) in a large, wicker picnic basket and feeds this ravenous, little runt bag-loads of hamburgers and hotdogs.After taking a crummy, little room at the Hotel Broslin (a real dive that is the ultimate epitome of Times Square sleaziness), the loyal Bradley Brothers embark on their revenge mission, spilling more blood and killing enough people to satisfy any gore film fanatic (even by today's standards).To prove that its story isn't completely heartless, right to the core, Basket Case does actually take some time out from all of the carnage to delight the viewer with a "romantic" interlude - As well, it gives us a brief glimpse of both male and female nudity.But, be warned, this trashy, over-the-top travesty of low-budget film-making also features some of the worst acting imaginable on the entire face of this planet, bar none..
I recommend it to all horror fans however, ONLY horror fans.It has its moments.The story goes a guy who was separated from his brother at birth seeks revenge on the doctors, while carrying his brother in a basket, but then he falls in love...
The good brother falls in love with a budget blonde, but the bad one doesn't like that, and so on, and so on, this way 90 minutes are still pretty long.
I can't hide that Frank Henelotter is one of my favorite directors, but this one is his very best!That's kind of a story of "racims" and, his way, brotherly love!Kevin Van Hentenryck offers a great performance as the "normal" brother, while Henenlotter proves himself a great director!You may love it or hate it, but it's much above the average horror movie!Low budget might have forced the choice to animate the "monster" in stop motion, as in the 2 sequels stop motion leave space to animatronic.
'Basket Case' was my first taste of a Henenlotter flick and what wild trip and a good starting point into his ambitiously, wacky film career.
Overall this film is worth seeing AT LEAST once, I bought it for $14, it came with Return of Swamp Thing (Piece O' Sh!t Film!) The acting in Basket Case is classic, listen to the dialog between the nurse (from the first doctors office) and the leading male, very amateur, but very funny.
BASKET CASE is a great, suspenseful horror film that happens to be bloody and violent, like the best operas.
A young man carrying a big basket, containing his deformed Siamese brother is seeking revenge on the doctors who separated them.Frank Henenlotter's "Basket case" is the most pitiful attempt at making a marketable film I've ever seen.
BASKET CASE tells the tale of Duane and his gruesomely deformed siamese brother belial.
I wasn't disapointed by one of the most warmly regarded cult films of all time.Director Frank Henenlotter (Frankenhooker, Brain Damage) makes good use of an INCREDIBLY low budget (apart from some really bad clay-mation scenes) and a brilliant storyline.The gore is nasty and plentyful and the whole atmosphere of the film is extremely dirty, especially the scenes in the motel, but that shouldn't discourage any serious horror/cult buff from seeking it out.All in all, I highly recommend 'Basket Case' and put it up there with films like 'The Evil Dead' and 'Return of the Living Dead' as the best of the 80s..
it isn't for hardcore gorehounds but is a treat for anyone who gets a kick out of b-movie classics like "the horror of party beach".this film is genuinely entertaining despite it's low budget and doesn't seem to take itself too seriously.
forget the plot holes and bad acting, this film is STILL worth watching.things to look for:the cheesy stop animation of the "monster" moving aroundthe silly sounding howls of rage it makesfeeding time LOLthe "scary eyes" scene LOL"bloody folder?
At many points in this film which you won't know whether to laugh, scream or upchuck as Duane Bradley travels to NYC to find the doctors who separated him against his will from his conjoined twin brother, Belial..
Good scene.A hick from the sticks named Duane checks into a seedy Times Square motel with his deformed twin brother named Belial, who he keeps hidden in a basket.
Evil characters, bad acting, laughable special effects and the most wicked ending on a movie i've seen since watching Eraserhead by David Lynch!
The film is significantly and rightfully dedicated to the godfather of gore', Herschell Gordon Lewis.Basket Case first emerged on the video scene simultaneously with another great low budget horror, Sam Raimi's phenomenal The Evil Dead (1982).
Sequels followed but looked, it seems impossible, more slapdash than their far superior predecessor.The Special Edition DVD has a great commentary by Henenlotter, who surprisingly doesn't sound as eccentric as you might expect, and the best quality version of this film you're likely to see.
the basket case was most enjoyable topped off with great special effects(!) I recommend this film to anybody who needs to watch a film.
Some of the effects are downright cheesy and the acting rather amateurish, but there's no denying the great concept and overall creepiness of Frank Henenlotter's seedy, no-budget horror classic.
Go check out Basket Case and enjoy one of the best horror films you will have ever seen..
I highly recommend "Basket Case" to horror fans, and to movie fans.
The story is A young man carrying a big basket, containing his deformed Siamese brother is seeking revenge on the doctors who separated them.
It's bad, not so bad it's good, not even so bad it's horrible, it's Star Wars Holiday Special bad.The story, if you haven't read the summary, is that Duane Bradley and his Siamese twin were separated by evil doctors against their will, and have now come to New York to take revenge.
If you can sit through trashy crap horror movies and love the idea of a deformed brother in a basket, then be my guest.
Basket Case starts out seeming like it might be kind of good (in a low-budget Evil Dead sort of way), but horrible acting across the board and a significant lack of formal style make this film a chore to sit through.
I am a huge fan of cult films - I even enjoy such obscure cult flicks like Head of the Family and Don't Look in the Basement, so I was anticipating an enjoyable ride with Basket Case, but it didn't deliver.
This bloody bizarre horror-comedy was made with zero budget and a lot of imagination."Basket Case" is definitely not for the squeamish or those who insist on professional production values,however it quickly became a cult classic due to its odd plot,outrageous gore and unusual take on sibling rivalry.The monster siamese twin Belial is oddly lovable(until an appalling,quite nasty rape scene)and young Kevin Van Hentenryck makes an appealing lead.The gore effects are crude,however the film features one of the most memorable 80's creatures-the toothy blob named Belial.Overall,"Basket Case" is still a delightfully unwholesome yarn,aptly dedicated in the end credits to gore-godfather Herschell Gordon Lewis.Followed in 1990 and 1992 by a pair of inferior sequels..
Shot in early 80s downtown New York, when the 'Big Apple' was blessed with a seedy atmosphere perfect for exploitation movie-making, Basket Case is a masterpiece of low-budget horror.
Written (and directed by) Frank Henenlotter, the film's delightfully demented plot combines twisted humour and gory horror to tell a tragic tale of love and revenge that is highly original and thoroughly deserving of its cult status.Kevin Van Hentenryck plays Duane Bradley, a naive young man (with huge hair) who checks into a sleazy Times Square hotel carrying nothing but a large wicker basket.
Their plans for revenge go awry, however, when Duane falls for pretty receptionist Sarah (Terri Susan Smith), driving his brother into a terrible jealous rage.Although Basket Case was shot on a very meagre budget with a cast of complete unknowns, the film is proof (if it was ever really needed) that enthusiasm and genuine creativity are far more important than A-list names and flashy, expensive effects: the cast aren't great actors by any stretch of the imagination, but they give memorably audacious performances perfectly in keeping with the film's dark, comic approach, whilst Belial, not exactly the most convincing of movie monsters (a mis-shapen lump of latex, with a gaping maw full of manky teeth and eyes that occasionally glow red) is imbued with a personality that makes him very real, thanks to careful character development from Hennenlotter.Sleazy, unpredictable, with a great downbeat ending, Basket Case is top notch entertainment for those who love their horror cheap, grimy, and totally deranged.
Pretty good shoestring budget horror film from the early 80s shows you don't need millions to make an enjoyable horror yarn.Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) has moved to New York City with a basket in tow.
When I saw this for the first time, I was like, "Wow, Dad, no joke, this movie is just filled with horrifying, bizarre, blood gushing, sleazy screaming fun until the end." It's one hell of an entertaining film.
Basket Case is an ultra low budget 80s horror film.
In the seediest part of New York City, a strange young man named Duane Bradley check into a hotel in times square with everything especially a basket that contains his small deformed brother.
"Basket Case" is a great, low-budget shlock horror/comedy from the early 80's.
Duane is actually half of a Siamese twin and he and his deformed brother (who he keeps in the basket) are seeking vengeance against the doctors who separated them.Frank Henenlotter's BASKET CASE was made for very little money and it quickly became a success and gathered a rather large cult following.
I cannot praise the director enough for creating something like Basket Case on such a low budget - it is pure commitment.I give this movie 10/10.
I think that Basket Case is a great and hilarious film.
Add to this the budget of $35,000, the small crew who worked on the film (the credits at the end of the movie contained a bunch of made up names so as to not have to repeat the same people over and over again) you must admit that given all of these factors they turned out the best product they actually could at the time.The cheesiness of it all actually makes the movie charming, with a story that at its roots has a real telling of the love of two brothers, wronged by their father and the doctors who didn't have any care to what Duane and Belial wanted, and so the duo set out on a mission to avenge themselves against those who hurt them the most.Bad acting, bad cinematography and bad music, all combine to make this movie a one of a kind.
The movie Basket Case is very small (budget), very twisted, and very good..
If you are looking for a low budget, fun, pointless, creepy horror movie, you are probably thinking of Basket Case and just don't know it.Basket Case is one of the cheapest made movies I have ever seen, but it is very good nonetheless.Duane Bradley checks into a sleazy Times Square motel called the Broslin Motel, carrying a huge clothes-bin style basket.
Though, despite one major flaw in this movie, I still enjoyed watching this great piece of horror film.To start off, the excessive amount of gore is here.
(To see what the club looks like now, you can see it on the DVD features.)I think this movie must set the record for most times the phrase "what's in the basket?" is used in a single film.