The Bone Snatcher

Last updated

The Bone Snatcher
The-Bone-Snatcher.jpg
Official teaser poster
Directed byJason Wulfsohn
Written byMalcolm Kohll
Gordon Render
Produced byIzidore Codron
Koa Padolsky
Chris Roland
Malcolm Kohll
Starring Scott Bairstow
Rachel Shelley
Adrienne Pearce
CinematographyAndreas Poulsson
Edited byRichard Benwick
Music byPaul Heard
Mike Pickering
Production
companies
The Imaginarium
Focus Films
Persistence Pictures Inc.
Distributed byOverseas FilmGroup
First Look International
Release date
  • 23 December 2003 (2003-12-23)
Running time
96 minutes
CountriesUnited Kingdom
Canada
South Africa
LanguageEnglish
Budget$6 million

The Bone Snatcher is a 2003 British-Canadian horror film directed by Jason Wolfsohn and starring Scott Bairstow, Rachel Shelley, and Adrienne Pearce. The film is based on a screenplay by Malcolm Kohll and Gordon Render. [1]

Contents

Plot

When workers begin disappearing in a Namibian mine, Dr. Zack Straker and a search team are sent into the desert to find out why the geologists of a diamond expedition have lost radio contact. They arrive at the scientist's camp in the desert, but soon find the neatly gnawed bones of their colleagues and a trail that leads them to a strange rock formation. Once at camp they find only the cleanly gnawed bones of the workers. Soon it becomes clear that there is a murderous beast on the loose.

The researchers decided to investigate the structure, but in the gathering darkness, sheer hell breaks loose as the creature, composed of a swarm of ant-like insects wrapped around the bones of its victims, hunts them for their bones. A game of cat and mouse continues through the desert, with the team being slowly picked off and the bug and bone monster eventually being chased down in a derelict mine.

Zack finds it hard to decide to kill the yellow queen brain that controls the swarm that has killed dozens of people, but he eventually does so. Suddenly, the derelict mine structure starts to fall down, leaving Zack and Mikki to run back to the truck - where they find they are now the only survivors of the team. The film ends with Mikki driving into the distance, apparently oblivious that a box loaded into her taxi contains another queen brain.

Cast

Production

The film was shot in the year 2002 in the South African city Cape Town and in the desert from Namibia. [2]

Release

The Bone Snatcher was released on DVD by First Look Pictures on December 23, 2003. [3] [4] It was re-released by Anchor Bay Entertainment on July 26 the following year. First Look later released the film on Steelbook on May 5, 2009. [4]

Reception

Critical reception for The Bone Snatcher has been predominantly negative. Film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 0%, based on 7 reviews, with a rating average of 3.14/10. [5]

David Nusair of ReelFilm Reviews awarded the film a negative 1 out of a possible 4 stars, writing, "More than anything else, The Bone Snatcher is just dull. There's barely enough material here to fill a 15-minute short, let alone a 90-minute feature - and for a horror film, it's shockingly non-horrific". [6] Wayne Southworth of The Spinning Image gave the film 4/10 stars, criticizing the garbled language, which made understanding what the actor's were saying difficult. Southworth, however, commended the film's desert location as the best thing about the movie. [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>Mary Shelleys Frankenstein</i> (film) 1994 film directed by Kenneth Branagh

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a 1994 science fiction horror film directed by Kenneth Branagh who also stars as Victor Frankenstein, with Robert De Niro portraying Frankenstein's monster, and co-stars Tom Hulce, Helena Bonham Carter, Ian Holm, John Cleese, Richard Briers and Aidan Quinn. Considered the most faithful film adaptation of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, despite several differences and additions in plot from the novel, the film follows a medical student named Victor Frankenstein who creates new life in the form of a monster composed of various corpses' body parts.

<i>100 Girls</i> 2000 comedy film directed by Michael Davis

100 Girls is a 2000 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Michael Davis. It tells the story of a college student's efforts to find a mystery girl with whom he had sex in an elevator during a blackout. It was released direct-to-video on September 25, 2001.

<i>Dinocroc</i> 2004 American film

Dinocroc is a 2004 American horror film directed by Kevin O'Neill. The film's plot revolves around a genetically engineered Suchomimus terrorizing the lake-side residents of a small town. The film stars Matthew Borlenghi, Jane Longenecker, Charles Napier, Costas Mandylor, Bruce Weitz, and Joanna Pacuła.

<i>Wild America</i> (film) 1997 film by William Dear

Wild America is a 1997 American adventure comedy film directed by William Dear, written by David Michael Wieger, and starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Devon Sawa, and Scott Bairstow. The film is based on the lives of wildlife documentarian Marty Stouffer and his two brothers, Mark and Marshall.

<i>Man-Thing</i> (film) 2005 film

Man-Thing is a 2005 monster film based on the Marvel Comics superhero of the same name. Directed by Brett Leonard and written by Hans Rodionoff, it stars Matthew Le Nevez, Rachael Taylor, and Jack Thompson, with Conan Stevens portraying the title character. The film follows a Louisiana sheriff as he investigates a series of deaths in a swamp, leading to him encountering the eponymous creature.

<i>The Dog Problem</i> 2006 American film

The Dog Problem is a 2006 comedy film written and directed by Scott Caan. Along with Caan, the film stars Giovanni Ribisi, Lynn Collins, Kevin Corrigan, Sarah Shahi, and Mena Suvari. Don Cheadle appears in an uncredited role. The film premiered at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival and was released on DVD on August 28, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batman in film</span> Film adaptations of the DC superhero

The Batman franchise, based on the fictional superhero Batman who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics, has seen the release of various films. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, the character first starred in two serial films in the 1940s: Batman and Batman and Robin. The character also appeared in the 1966 film Batman, which was a feature film adaptation of the 1960s Batman TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward, who also starred in the film. Toward the end of the 1980s, the Warner Bros. studio began producing a series of feature films starring Batman, beginning with the 1989 film Batman, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton. Burton and Keaton returned for the 1992 sequel Batman Returns, and in 1995, Joel Schumacher directed Batman Forever with Val Kilmer as Batman. Schumacher also directed the 1997 sequel Batman & Robin, which starred George Clooney. Batman & Robin was poorly received by both critics and fans, leading to the cancellation of Batman Unchained.

<i>Wishmaster: The Prophecy Fulfilled</i> 2002 film

Wishmaster: The Prophecy Fulfilled is a 2002 Canadian dark fantasy horror film directed by Chris Angel and starring Michael Trucco, Tara Spencer-Nairn, Jason Thompson, Victor Webster, Kimberly Huie, and John Novak. It is the fourth and final installment of the Wishmaster series.

<i>No Mans Land: The Rise of Reeker</i> 2008 American film

No Man's Land: The Rise of Reeker is a 2008 American supernatural slasher film about a sheriff and his son who are tracking down a group of bank robbers on their way to Mexico, only to discover that they are being stalked by a far more deadly enemy — The Reeker. It is a prequel to Reeker (2005).

<i>They Wait</i> 2007 film by Ernie Barbarash

They Wait is a 2007 Canadian horror film directed by Ernie Barbarash. It stars Jaime King as a mother attempting to find the truth and save her son when threatened by spirits during the Chinese tradition of Ghost Month. The other leading star is Chinese Canadian actor Terry Chen, who plays her husband. It was both filmed, and set, in the city of Vancouver, in British Columbia in Canada, and was featured at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.

<i>Gacy</i> (film) 2003 American film

Gacy is a 2003 American crime horror thriller film written and directed by Clive Saunders, and co-written by David Birke. A direct-to-video release, it is based on the crimes of John Wayne Gacy, an American serial killer who raped, tortured, and murdered at least thirty-three men and boys in Chicago, Illinois during the 1970s. The film stars actor Mark Holton in his first lead role as Gacy.

<i>Dead in the Water</i> (2002 film) 2002 film directed by Gustavo Lipsztein

Dead in the Water is a 2002 American crime/thriller feature film written and directed by Gustavo Lipsztein.

<i>Black Swarm</i> 2007 Canadian TV series or program

Black Swarm is a 2007 Canadian suspense film directed by David Winning. Actor Robert Englund plays a mysterious beekeeper who has a secret to hide in the small town of Black Stone. It is the 9th film of the Maneater Series.

<i>Single White Female 2: The Psycho</i> 2005 American film

Single White Female 2: The Psycho is a 2005 American direct-to-video psychological thriller film and a sequel to the 1992 film Single White Female. Directed by Keith Samples, it stars Kristen Miller, Allison Lange and Brooke Burns. It was universally panned by critics.

<i>Detention</i> (2011 film) 2011 American film

Detention is a 2011 American slasher black comedy film directed by Joseph Kahn, and co-written with Mark Palermo. The film premiered in March 2011 at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Detention stars Josh Hutcherson, Shanley Caswell, Spencer Locke, and Dane Cook.

<i>Sauna</i> (film) 2008 Finnish film

Sauna, also known as Filth or Evil Rising, is a 2008 Finnish horror film directed by Antti-Jussi Annila. The film was awarded three Jussi Awards in 2009: the best sound design, the best scenography and the best costumes. In addition, the film was nominated for best lead actor, best lead actor and best editing.

<i>The Rover</i> (2014 film) 2014 film by David Michôd

The Rover is a 2014 Australian dystopian Western drama film written and directed by David Michôd and based on a story by Michôd and Joel Edgerton. It is a contemporary western taking place in the Australian outback, ten years after a global economic collapse. The film stars Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson, and features Scoot McNairy, David Field, Anthony Hayes, Gillian Jones, and Susan Prior. It premiered out of competition in the Midnight Screenings section at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival on 18 May 2014.

<i>Son of Batman</i> 2014 animated feature film directed by Ethan Spaulding

Son of Batman is a 2014 American animated superhero film which is the 20th film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies and the third film in the DC Animated Movie Universe. It is an adaptation of Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert's 2006 "Batman and Son" storyline. The film was released as a digital download on April 22, 2014, and was released on physical media on May 6.

<i>A Month of Sundays</i> (2015 film) 2015 Australian film

A Month of Sundays is a 2015 Australian film starring Anthony LaPaglia.

<i>Minding the Gap</i> 2018 documentary film directed by Bing Liu

Minding the Gap is a 2018 documentary film directed by Bing Liu and produced by Liu and Diane Moy Quon through Kartemquin Films. It chronicles the lives and friendships of three young men growing up in Rockford, Illinois, united by their love of skateboarding. The film received critical acclaim, won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Filmmaking at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, and was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 91st Academy Awards.

References

  1. The Bone Snatcher (2002) – A Review by David Nusair
  2. The Bone Snatcher – Movie Review
  3. The Bone Snatcher | Dracula's Curse DVD review- Acid Logic ezine
  4. 1 2 "The Bone Snatcher (2003) - Jason Wulfsohn". Allmovie.com. AllMove. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  5. "The Bone Snatcher (2003)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  6. Nusair, David. "The Bone Snatcher (2002) - A Review by David Nusair". Reel Film.com. David Nusair. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  7. Southworth, Wayne. "Bone Snatcher, The Review (2003)". The Spinning Image.co.uk. Wayne Southworth. Retrieved 5 October 2018.