IMDb RATING
5.5/10
7.4K
YOUR RATING
A comic book artist loses his hand, which in turn takes on a murderous life of its own.A comic book artist loses his hand, which in turn takes on a murderous life of its own.A comic book artist loses his hand, which in turn takes on a murderous life of its own.
- Awards
- 3 nominations total
Edward Marshall
- Doctor
- (as Ed Marshall)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
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I don't know if I was in a rare forgiving frame of mind but The Hand actually worked for me.
It doesn't go very deep in the psychological department and just about every average viewer can spot the twist but then the end just throws everything out the window and leaves the audience shouting; What the ****!
But it's well acted, especially by Caine who completely earns viewer's sympathy. Writer/director Oliver Stone effortlessly builds up suspense and atmosphere and some scenes here do work really well. Technical aspects are surprisingly well handled and make up effects are gruesome and well done.
While The Hand won't go down as a cinematic masterpiece, it's a solid thriller nonetheless.
It doesn't go very deep in the psychological department and just about every average viewer can spot the twist but then the end just throws everything out the window and leaves the audience shouting; What the ****!
But it's well acted, especially by Caine who completely earns viewer's sympathy. Writer/director Oliver Stone effortlessly builds up suspense and atmosphere and some scenes here do work really well. Technical aspects are surprisingly well handled and make up effects are gruesome and well done.
While The Hand won't go down as a cinematic masterpiece, it's a solid thriller nonetheless.
This film starring Michael Caine seems like it might be ridiculously dumb due to its name and cover art. However it's actually quite thought provoking, and very entertaining. This film has a sort of funny brilliance to it. I think most people go into it just so unready for it or something; Hence the low rating. Also, if you don't watch it from the beginning, it will most likely just seem stupid. This film still has less than 6,000 votes on here at this point. It's definitely underseen and it's somewhat of a hidden gem in my view. 7.5/10.
Oliver Stone and Michael Caine may well feel a little embarrassed by this tale of a cartoonist haunted by his own severed drawing hand, but despite it's ludicrous premise and rather rubbery effects from Stan Winston, the film isn't all THAT bad.
Michael Caine brings an amiable nonchalance to the E. C. horror comic style proceedings while portraying his character's ever growing bitterness perfectly. While the story provides little in surprises the film does work on more than one level, leaving the viewer wondering if what's going on, is all in the mind of Caine's character or that it is indeed actually happening. And for a film like this that makes you think, or more fittingly, makes you stop thinking how all very silly it all is, is no mean feat.
Michael Caine brings an amiable nonchalance to the E. C. horror comic style proceedings while portraying his character's ever growing bitterness perfectly. While the story provides little in surprises the film does work on more than one level, leaving the viewer wondering if what's going on, is all in the mind of Caine's character or that it is indeed actually happening. And for a film like this that makes you think, or more fittingly, makes you stop thinking how all very silly it all is, is no mean feat.
OK, the murders weren't gory (Just strangling), it was slow at sometimes, but still an enjoyable movie. I mean, Idle Hands was gory, funnier, fast-moving, has a great soundtrack, and better, but it's still a great flick.
The story is about a cartoonist played by Michael Caine who shows his girl a lizard's tail (The name of the story the movie is based on) which is still moving which fore-shadows what happens later in the movie. Then in an automobile accident, he loses his hand. They can't find it, so they give him a robot hand for a replacement. And the hand he lost was the hand he draws and writes with, so they have to have a replacement. He complains the artist is not as good as him and they find a recent cartoon scribbled on. And then there's the murders. A bum (played by director Oliver Stone) is killed by the hand (In a brilliant black and white sequence). Then Caine moves to some place to teach and cheats on another girl. Then other murders happen.
I won't give away what else happens. If you want a psychological thriller about a killing hand, rent this (Or And Now the Screaming Starts). But if you want a killer hand and a comedy, see Idle Hands (Don't listen to critics).
The Hand: B+ Idle Hands: A-
The story is about a cartoonist played by Michael Caine who shows his girl a lizard's tail (The name of the story the movie is based on) which is still moving which fore-shadows what happens later in the movie. Then in an automobile accident, he loses his hand. They can't find it, so they give him a robot hand for a replacement. And the hand he lost was the hand he draws and writes with, so they have to have a replacement. He complains the artist is not as good as him and they find a recent cartoon scribbled on. And then there's the murders. A bum (played by director Oliver Stone) is killed by the hand (In a brilliant black and white sequence). Then Caine moves to some place to teach and cheats on another girl. Then other murders happen.
I won't give away what else happens. If you want a psychological thriller about a killing hand, rent this (Or And Now the Screaming Starts). But if you want a killer hand and a comedy, see Idle Hands (Don't listen to critics).
The Hand: B+ Idle Hands: A-
Not a lot of people feel this, but the way films are made have changed since the beginning of the millennium. From blocking, cinematography, film stock, writing, pacing, everything is different. So it's really refreshing to watch michael caine do his thing in this oliver stone horrorfest. What might have been over the top campy shtick in the 80s becomes infinitely watchable.
I agree about the similarities to the shining but doesn't quite match up. The comments about the burning car i don't agree with. It's inserted to show michael caine getting unhinged the more he suspects he's got a pet killer hand out there.
A great movie to check out. Really fun.
I agree about the similarities to the shining but doesn't quite match up. The comments about the burning car i don't agree with. It's inserted to show michael caine getting unhinged the more he suspects he's got a pet killer hand out there.
A great movie to check out. Really fun.
Did you know
- TriviaThe "Mandro" comic strip artwork seen in this movie was drawn and designed by real-life Marvel Comics artist Barry Windsor-Smith of "Conan the Barbarian" fame. Oliver Stone co-wrote Conan le Barbare (1982).
- GoofsThe Christmas carol "Deck The Halls" is heard on the soundtrack but the skipping record shown on the turntable is 'Fight Dirty' by the British pop band Charlie.
- Quotes
Stella: I'm kind of old-fashioned. I like to make it in bed, okay?
Jonathan Lansdale: Okay.
- ConnectionsEdited into Cent une tueries de zombies (2012)
- SoundtracksUnion City Blue
Performed by Blondie
- How long is The Hand?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- CA$6,500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,447,576
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $566,736
- Apr 26, 1981
- Gross worldwide
- $2,447,576
- Runtime
- 1h 44m(104 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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