Genuinely unique and creepy, Homebodies tells the depressing story of what life is like after society has discarded you. A group of elderly people have had their apartment building, home for much of their lives, condemned, and they have been asked to move to a new residence. When they realize they don't want to move, they take business into their own hands. They stab, sabotage, drown a man in cement, and kill in numerous other ways to keep home, sweet home. While director Larry Yust doesn't have a huge budget at his disposal, it clearly is not needed given the subject matter and the tenements of Cinncinatti serving as a backdrop. This film has a seedy, dark, futile feel to it, and underlying its sick,twisted plot - the deaths are executed with little remorse or feeling. The elderly, who at first illicit pity, soon turn into cold killing machines - very much like what they attack - a huge conglomerate business and "progress." Homebodies is a bona fide horror film and a black comedy as well. The humour is subtle but definitely there. I particularly liked the ending and thought that was a very clever bit to end such a film with. Solid direction and a perverse yet fresh and interesting script aside, the acting for me is what carried this film. The elderly inhabitants are all equally played with polish and pathos by a crew of geriatric character talents - all unfortunately no longer with us - that bring their characters alive - foibles, fears, and all. Paula Trueman plays the biggest role as Mattie. She is sort of a Ruth Gordon type. She is also the personification of evil in the group. She shows us what the elderly are able to get away with because everyone discounts them and their worth. Trueman does an able job creating a woman who is selfish, willful, and downright bad. Ian Wolfe and Ruth McDevitt play the couple that ran the building for so long. Both do very good jobs and create possibly more than anyone else the compassionate side of being old and "left out." Peter Brocco does a wonderful job as an elderly blind man - who has powers that probably any realistic elderly blind man would not possess. Brocco does an incredible job. The last two members are played by William Hansen and Frances Fuller. Fuller plays a woman that has not left her room for twenty years and speaks to her dead father at the dinner table. Hansen plays a man consumed with writing his memoirs of his marriage of 55 years. All of these actors did a marvelous job with their characters. Homebodies is a good film. It is a scary picture, subtly humorous, and thought provoking. The scenes of these tenants being moved to a soul-less huge apartment complex where every room is the same and people just sit on benches waiting to die struck me as particularly horrific. Or the scene with an elderly blind man being shoved into a room - not having learned the dimensions of the room at all. Or maybe the scene of a man pleading with a socially progressive woman about how moving his things, which had taken him a lifetime to sort, would never be able to be put together in the same fashion. He said he literally did not have the time left. These images and many more in Homebodies frightened me more than anything else. Because the sad truth is we offer little time and reflection to those concerns unless we are directly affected as a society. That is the real horror in Homebodies! A wonderfully old-fashioned song begins and ends the film. It reminisces about the joys of a day gone by.
32 Reviews
Geri-Cult
delbruk4 August 2004
This one is truly original. A Cult film for the Geriatric crowd. It is good to see that I am not the only one who was impressed with this obscure film from when HBO was in its infancy (channel 6 anyone?) There are some very good actors associated with this project for anyone who was conscious in the 60's and 70's. From Ruth McDevitt to Ian Wolfe you have seen them before in many supporting roles, here you get to see them lead. The film almost has a strange aura similar to The Sentinel (1977) although without the supernatural aspects. Here we have a social satire which focuses on the geriatric crowd affirming their rights in the face of oppression. Coming out of the era of civil rights don't think this subject matter wasn't a projection of society in which many sub-cultures where finding ways to be empowered. This film takes that premise and twists it into some very humorous and macabre situations. The cement pouring scene is a memorable one which stands alongside any early giallo for inventiveness. Dated but still worth it if you can find it if cult is your thing.
A silver-haired classic
fertilecelluloid3 December 2005
Grim, sad, nihilistic drama about abandoned elderly people who pull together to preserve their home and dignity. That's the soft sell. The hard sell? After uncaring developers condemn a building and threaten to toss the aged residents onto the street, the residents retaliate with murder.
For a drama, there's plenty of horror here, and there's much food for thought, too. The harsh way we treat our elderly citizens is directly addressed, as is the issue of the limted tenure we all have on this planet. An interesting message buried here-in is that the young underestimate the old at their peril because the old are smarter, more sly, more patient and more experienced.
The performances are excellent, as is the direction, photography and music. The murders are cleverly conceived and executed with grim resolve, and one scene involving permanent incarceraton in concrete is a showstopper.
When I first saw this film, I was struck by its cold, depressing tone and I admired it for its recognition of real problems associated with aging. The idea of the old killing the young is a novel one and employed to great effect in "Homebodies".
It's a silver-haired classic.
For a drama, there's plenty of horror here, and there's much food for thought, too. The harsh way we treat our elderly citizens is directly addressed, as is the issue of the limted tenure we all have on this planet. An interesting message buried here-in is that the young underestimate the old at their peril because the old are smarter, more sly, more patient and more experienced.
The performances are excellent, as is the direction, photography and music. The murders are cleverly conceived and executed with grim resolve, and one scene involving permanent incarceraton in concrete is a showstopper.
When I first saw this film, I was struck by its cold, depressing tone and I admired it for its recognition of real problems associated with aging. The idea of the old killing the young is a novel one and employed to great effect in "Homebodies".
It's a silver-haired classic.
All the neighboring buildings are being demolished for a new development, but these tenants won't give up their homes without a fight.
UranusHz29 October 1998
I saw this movie when I was about 8 and it gave me a serious case of the heebeejeebies. So much so that here, over 20 years later, I still remember it. Its horror value isn't based on a lot of gore, or startles, but just plain creepy situations. It's worth renting, although it will probably seem pretty tame by today's standards.
A must see 70's gem!
Coventry21 December 2004
Warning: Spoilers
A moody old song sets the right tone for what actually is a vastly underrated and extremely fun horror gem. "Homebodies" handles about a group of old folks banned from their houses and forced to abandon their familiar neighborhood in order to make way for new building projects. The drama this type of events causes is real but the emotions and action taken by these elderly are, of course, far over the top and deliciously absurd. The last mind strong tenants of an apartment complex go on a merciless killing spree and make everyone who tries to exile them disappear. Before turning into a complete pitch black comedy, "Homebodies" has a quite tension level and even an unsettling atmosphere at times. As illogical and exaggerated the premise may sound, these old folks look far scarier than any other serial-slasher in a funny mask. The character development of this film is simply great. Every single one of these mums 'n dads is intriguing, like the spooky blind guy or the lady who still talks to her long-deceased father. There are a few nice and bloody make-up effects and an endless amount of efficient black humor. Near the end, the story regretfully (and maybe even inevitably) loses some of its terrific initial impact as the female lead, played by Paula Trueman, turns entirely senile. The whole film turns senile with her
Still, "Homebodies" ought to get more praise and recognition from the cult-chasing horror fans! Recommended highly!
"There's no reason for us to worry what happens to them"
lost-in-limbo20 November 2010
Well meaning, but an unusual, gloomy and comedic dark horror drama with a wicked sense of humour and stinging view of the mistreatment of the elderly as time isn't on their side. While it doesn't always come together (with an ambiguous ending that doesn't know how to tie it up), it remains an interesting parable and compelling at that with it's uniquely original premise.
Six elderly tenants are handed eviction notices, as their apartment is to be torn down and turned into new skyscrapers. However they won't have anything off it and decide the only way they can stay put is to murder those who get in their way or have some sort of control over the development to only slow down the inevitable.
The movie tagline "A Murder a Day Keeps the Landlord Away!" sums it up perfectly.
"Homebodies" tries to mix social commentary with creepy chills and cartoon-like humour while at times eerie and thoughtful in its context I didn't find it particularly humorous. The tone would get goofy in those moments aiming for a laugh, which didn't complement its sombre air. When the script was trying to be sly with its humour, it fitted better. The slow-burn plot really does strike up a moving chemistry between these convincingly quirky characters, as there's heart and personality given out by the performances. They stick together, kill together to keep their familiar lifestyles they hold so close. But then in a twist of events they start to turn on each other with no second thoughts. There's an odd chase sequence as well where it crafts a dreamy sort of atmosphere around it and the death traps/or deaths are effectively moulded to get under your skin with the blank, cold expressions of their faces watching those die around them. The performances are solid, led by Paula Trueman's neurotic turn and with the likes of Ruth McDevitt, Ian Wolfe and Peter Brocco.
Director Larry Yust does a durable job and makes good use of the authentic location work to illustrate the urban plight. The camera sprightly frames the activities and the music playfully turn it up.
A worthwhile forgotten 70s offbeat low-budget black comedy shocker.
Six elderly tenants are handed eviction notices, as their apartment is to be torn down and turned into new skyscrapers. However they won't have anything off it and decide the only way they can stay put is to murder those who get in their way or have some sort of control over the development to only slow down the inevitable.
The movie tagline "A Murder a Day Keeps the Landlord Away!" sums it up perfectly.
"Homebodies" tries to mix social commentary with creepy chills and cartoon-like humour while at times eerie and thoughtful in its context I didn't find it particularly humorous. The tone would get goofy in those moments aiming for a laugh, which didn't complement its sombre air. When the script was trying to be sly with its humour, it fitted better. The slow-burn plot really does strike up a moving chemistry between these convincingly quirky characters, as there's heart and personality given out by the performances. They stick together, kill together to keep their familiar lifestyles they hold so close. But then in a twist of events they start to turn on each other with no second thoughts. There's an odd chase sequence as well where it crafts a dreamy sort of atmosphere around it and the death traps/or deaths are effectively moulded to get under your skin with the blank, cold expressions of their faces watching those die around them. The performances are solid, led by Paula Trueman's neurotic turn and with the likes of Ruth McDevitt, Ian Wolfe and Peter Brocco.
Director Larry Yust does a durable job and makes good use of the authentic location work to illustrate the urban plight. The camera sprightly frames the activities and the music playfully turn it up.
A worthwhile forgotten 70s offbeat low-budget black comedy shocker.
Getting Older? Watch this Film!
TheJonesBones2 March 2023
Are you a "grumpy old man" or a "sweet old lady"? Yeah? Then chances are good that you will empathisize with the characters in this film. Are they sinister, misguided or simply nostalgic - perhaps desperately so? Watch and find out for yourself!
This is a macabre story about good people doing bad things. Well, mostly they're good. But they are certainly all old and dedicated to the status quo of their sunset lifestyle. And their apartment building.
Desperate circumstance often calls for desperate action. This is just such a film. An action film, albeit of a geriatric quality.
Will you have fun watching? You betcha. Will you be gruesomely inspired? Perhaps. Say... is that the sound of a wrecking ball working nearby?
Neighbor be warned. Neighbor beware.
This is a macabre story about good people doing bad things. Well, mostly they're good. But they are certainly all old and dedicated to the status quo of their sunset lifestyle. And their apartment building.
Desperate circumstance often calls for desperate action. This is just such a film. An action film, albeit of a geriatric quality.
Will you have fun watching? You betcha. Will you be gruesomely inspired? Perhaps. Say... is that the sound of a wrecking ball working nearby?
Neighbor be warned. Neighbor beware.
Different
preppy-322 March 2004
Warning: Spoilers
I found this movie under the Comedy section of Blockbusters (God knows why...it should be in Horror) about 10 years ago. It looked interesting so I rented it. It's certainly different. It's about a bunch of elderly people turning into killers to prevent their building from being torn down. The acting is pretty good and the killings are pretty scary (but within a PG rating)...but this is treated as a comedy. I found nothing funny about the situation at all. And when they start killing each other off over nothing the movie went too far. Lousy ending too. Still, it's worth catching if you want to see something different and the acting is quite good from the entire cast.
Original, well-made black comic horror with a social conscience.
capkronos6 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Looking for something different? Then look no further! HOMEBODIES is an absolute gem of a film that has unfortunately become difficult to find over the years. In fact, it's been released on a home viewing format in the States just one time - in 1984 - by Embassy Home Entertainment. Now that the tape is 25-years-old, I think it's about time someone rescued this one from complete obscurity and put it out on DVD already. Why we need a dozen special edition reissues of films like "Friday the 13th Part 20" and a great film like this is able to slip through the cracks is something I'll never quite understand.
In Cincinnati, Ohio, a construction company is busy at work erecting a huge skyscraper. Across the street, the city has condemned a block of tenement buildings. One by one, the buildings are being demolished after its elderly citizens are dragged from the comfort of their homes to live in some colorless, sanitized new apartment home against their wishes. However, the tenants of one of the buildings set to be torn down are not going down without a fight. This is, after all, their home we're talking about. They've been living there 30 years. And since no one seems to care about them and their welfare, why should they return the favor? Mattie (Paula Trueman), who spends her days sitting by the construction site munching on prunes, witnesses a fatal accident and then conspires with her friends to rig similar accidents to delay the destruction of their home. One thing leads to another and before long they're resorting to stabbing a cold social worker and burying a wealthy land developer alive in wet cement! One could accuse the film of being far-fetched, but most dark comedies are, and the film manages to skillfully blend social drama, horror and black comedy together in an entertaining, thought-provoking and unique way.
One of the big pluses here is that the plight of the low-income elderly is shown in a grim, though very realistic and plausible, light. These people ARE often bullied, pushed around and treated if they don't matter, so despite their murderous schemes, there's never a moment where we don't identify with, and sympathize for, the people involved. Another huge plus is the cast and level of characterization. Many genre filmmakers mistakenly believe the target audience for these films only want to see hot young things strutting their stuff, not a bunch of senior citizens. They're wrong. Here we get six veteran character actors capable of adding those intangibles to their roles that only come with experience.
Trueman as the spunky, unpredictable and increasingly more unstable Mattie seems to be the centerpiece of the film and she does an excellent job. Just as good are Ian Wolfe as the building superintendent, Ruth McDevitt as his wife (also the conscience of the group), William Hansen as a widowed writer, blind Peter Brocco and Frances Fuller as a wig-wearing agoraphobic who still talks to her dead husband and hasn't left the building in 20 years. Each of the performers bring a human element to their role, and the characters aren't just tenants. They're created their own little microcosm in the building and each depend on one another in equal measure to simply get by. To disrupt their environment is to destroy their lives, so why should they care if a bunch of greedy big wigs or whoever else go down with them? Co-stars Douglas Fowley, Linda Marsh and veteran horror/sci-fi star Kenneth Tobey as the construction boss also deliver fine performances in less-sympathetic roles.
Quirky, unique, thoughtful, very well-written, directed and acted on a modest budget; this independently-produced film is probably not going to be for all tastes, but for fans of both horror flicks and black comedies, I can't recommend this one enough. It's worth the search.
In Cincinnati, Ohio, a construction company is busy at work erecting a huge skyscraper. Across the street, the city has condemned a block of tenement buildings. One by one, the buildings are being demolished after its elderly citizens are dragged from the comfort of their homes to live in some colorless, sanitized new apartment home against their wishes. However, the tenants of one of the buildings set to be torn down are not going down without a fight. This is, after all, their home we're talking about. They've been living there 30 years. And since no one seems to care about them and their welfare, why should they return the favor? Mattie (Paula Trueman), who spends her days sitting by the construction site munching on prunes, witnesses a fatal accident and then conspires with her friends to rig similar accidents to delay the destruction of their home. One thing leads to another and before long they're resorting to stabbing a cold social worker and burying a wealthy land developer alive in wet cement! One could accuse the film of being far-fetched, but most dark comedies are, and the film manages to skillfully blend social drama, horror and black comedy together in an entertaining, thought-provoking and unique way.
One of the big pluses here is that the plight of the low-income elderly is shown in a grim, though very realistic and plausible, light. These people ARE often bullied, pushed around and treated if they don't matter, so despite their murderous schemes, there's never a moment where we don't identify with, and sympathize for, the people involved. Another huge plus is the cast and level of characterization. Many genre filmmakers mistakenly believe the target audience for these films only want to see hot young things strutting their stuff, not a bunch of senior citizens. They're wrong. Here we get six veteran character actors capable of adding those intangibles to their roles that only come with experience.
Trueman as the spunky, unpredictable and increasingly more unstable Mattie seems to be the centerpiece of the film and she does an excellent job. Just as good are Ian Wolfe as the building superintendent, Ruth McDevitt as his wife (also the conscience of the group), William Hansen as a widowed writer, blind Peter Brocco and Frances Fuller as a wig-wearing agoraphobic who still talks to her dead husband and hasn't left the building in 20 years. Each of the performers bring a human element to their role, and the characters aren't just tenants. They're created their own little microcosm in the building and each depend on one another in equal measure to simply get by. To disrupt their environment is to destroy their lives, so why should they care if a bunch of greedy big wigs or whoever else go down with them? Co-stars Douglas Fowley, Linda Marsh and veteran horror/sci-fi star Kenneth Tobey as the construction boss also deliver fine performances in less-sympathetic roles.
Quirky, unique, thoughtful, very well-written, directed and acted on a modest budget; this independently-produced film is probably not going to be for all tastes, but for fans of both horror flicks and black comedies, I can't recommend this one enough. It's worth the search.
Worth seeking out.
Hey_Sweden8 September 2022
A tight-knit sextet of senior citizens resort to desperate (I. E. homicidal) measures when the building that they've lived in for so long is scheduled to be torn down. The ringleader is the coldly determined Mattie (Paula Trueman, "The Outlaw Josey Wales") who is first to take action. Others in the group include blind man Mr. Blakely (Peter Brocco, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"), writer Mr. Sandy (William Hansen, "Fail Safe"), the dotty Miss Emily (Frances Fuller, "One Sunday Afternoon"), and building superintendent Mr. Loomis (Ian Wolfe, "Witness for the Prosecution") and his wife (Ruth McDevitt, 'Kolchak: The Night Stalker').
This very dark comedy is quite entertaining for a while, with our principal cast of elderly actors & actresses making the most out of some meaty roles. They're all fun to watch, especially Trueman, who stops at nothing to ensure success. (Being pretty much blind by this point, she had to drive a towed car for the memorably funny scene where Mattie goes driving for the first time in 40 years.) Still, even with the various assorted murders goings on, and the macabre humor to be found, the seriousness of the theme still resonates, as the viewer is forced to actually think about the problems, and the rights, of the elderly in situations such as this. Packing up and leaving a longtime residence would *never* be easy at their advanced age, no matter if outside forces have condemned their building, all in the name of progress.
This first-rate cast is rounded out by a huffy Linda Marsh ("Freebie and the Bean") as Miss Pollack, the "girl from the city" who serves relocation notices to our antagonists, Douglas Fowley ("Singin' in the Rain") as the builder, Kenneth Tobey ("The Thing from Another World") as the construction boss, and Wesley Lau ("I Want to Live!") as the construction foreman. William "Billy" Benedict ("Docks of New York") has a bit as a watchman.
Filmed in five weeks in both Cincinnati and Los Angeles, this was directed by an unsung filmmaker named Larry Yust, whose other credits include the blaxploitation picture "Trick Baby". (He also co-wrote the sharp, savvy script.) Featuring excellent music (composed by Bernardo Segall) and effective cinematography by Isidore Mankofsky, "Homebodies" does lose some steam in its final third, but overall does a solid job of both entertaining the viewer and giving them plenty to think about.
Seven out of 10.
This very dark comedy is quite entertaining for a while, with our principal cast of elderly actors & actresses making the most out of some meaty roles. They're all fun to watch, especially Trueman, who stops at nothing to ensure success. (Being pretty much blind by this point, she had to drive a towed car for the memorably funny scene where Mattie goes driving for the first time in 40 years.) Still, even with the various assorted murders goings on, and the macabre humor to be found, the seriousness of the theme still resonates, as the viewer is forced to actually think about the problems, and the rights, of the elderly in situations such as this. Packing up and leaving a longtime residence would *never* be easy at their advanced age, no matter if outside forces have condemned their building, all in the name of progress.
This first-rate cast is rounded out by a huffy Linda Marsh ("Freebie and the Bean") as Miss Pollack, the "girl from the city" who serves relocation notices to our antagonists, Douglas Fowley ("Singin' in the Rain") as the builder, Kenneth Tobey ("The Thing from Another World") as the construction boss, and Wesley Lau ("I Want to Live!") as the construction foreman. William "Billy" Benedict ("Docks of New York") has a bit as a watchman.
Filmed in five weeks in both Cincinnati and Los Angeles, this was directed by an unsung filmmaker named Larry Yust, whose other credits include the blaxploitation picture "Trick Baby". (He also co-wrote the sharp, savvy script.) Featuring excellent music (composed by Bernardo Segall) and effective cinematography by Isidore Mankofsky, "Homebodies" does lose some steam in its final third, but overall does a solid job of both entertaining the viewer and giving them plenty to think about.
Seven out of 10.
Not worth it, man.
gridoon18 January 2004
Simply put, there's nothing to be gained from watching "Homebodies". It's not funny, it's not believable for a minute, it's not entertaining, and it moves (fittingly perhaps?) at the pace of a funeral. The blind guy is creepy, though. (*1/2)
Ode to be Old and Discarded
amado31-17 May 2007
I watched this movie with my grandmother when I was about 6 years old. The movie was PG, so I could get away with watching it then. What a hoot! We managed to watch that movie every time we could catch it on and the last line in the movie kept us laughing for the longest: It's me, Mattie.
I know that a movie about old folks killing to keep their homes may be totally horrific to today's society that salivates over brutality performed on perky-breast blonds, pencil-waist brunettes, and their associated blockhead boyfriends. The irony of "Homebodies" is that you're force to have to acknowledge those old folks for what they were doing -- whether you liked it or not. They refused to be pushed around and their tactics were crude, yet effective.
Having said that, I watched it again recently and I found it just as funny, but with a better understanding. While I could say that the murders were truly without warrant, they were in better context than what you see in most slasher flicks nowadays, where the killings are for shock value and good measure.
I know that a movie about old folks killing to keep their homes may be totally horrific to today's society that salivates over brutality performed on perky-breast blonds, pencil-waist brunettes, and their associated blockhead boyfriends. The irony of "Homebodies" is that you're force to have to acknowledge those old folks for what they were doing -- whether you liked it or not. They refused to be pushed around and their tactics were crude, yet effective.
Having said that, I watched it again recently and I found it just as funny, but with a better understanding. While I could say that the murders were truly without warrant, they were in better context than what you see in most slasher flicks nowadays, where the killings are for shock value and good measure.
Out with the old...
BA_Harrison14 April 2024
When a group of pensioners living in an apartment building are served with eviction notices, the property to be demolished to make way for a new development, they take matters into their own hands. They begin by sabotaging the construction site of an existing development to halt progress, causing several deaths in doing so, and then turn to murdering the corporate bigwigs who are trying to turf them out of their homes. However, not all of the oldies are happy with the extreme measures being taken, and eventually they turn on each other.
Homebodies is a bit like Spielberg produced dud *batteries not included, but without the stupid teeny-tiny flying saucers and a whole lot darker, this film's OAPs committing acts of extreme violence when threatened with relocation. There's a wide streak of black humour running through the film that makes it a whole lot of ghoulish fun, starting off on the right foot with potty pensioner Mattie happily popping prunes while watching a macho construction worker fall to his death. As daft as the film is at times, it's not without its shocking moments: the stabbing of heartless Miss Pollack (Linda Marsh) is a well-executed jolt, while the drowning of construction boss Mr. Crawford in cement is genuinely disturbing. Even a very silly chase scene involving pedalos manages to be strangely unsettling.
Great performances from the seasoned cast and a sharp script that drives home how our elderly are often treated as an inconvenience rather than given the respect they deserve all adds up to a thought provoking, perverse and wonderfully unique cult horror.
Homebodies is a bit like Spielberg produced dud *batteries not included, but without the stupid teeny-tiny flying saucers and a whole lot darker, this film's OAPs committing acts of extreme violence when threatened with relocation. There's a wide streak of black humour running through the film that makes it a whole lot of ghoulish fun, starting off on the right foot with potty pensioner Mattie happily popping prunes while watching a macho construction worker fall to his death. As daft as the film is at times, it's not without its shocking moments: the stabbing of heartless Miss Pollack (Linda Marsh) is a well-executed jolt, while the drowning of construction boss Mr. Crawford in cement is genuinely disturbing. Even a very silly chase scene involving pedalos manages to be strangely unsettling.
Great performances from the seasoned cast and a sharp script that drives home how our elderly are often treated as an inconvenience rather than given the respect they deserve all adds up to a thought provoking, perverse and wonderfully unique cult horror.
a silly premise and the resulting silly film
Jonny_Numb30 January 2003
Senior citizens can be shrill, depressing, and very boring, so you might think a movie that casts old people as 'hit men' would be good for a few laughs. "Homebodies" tries but fails. It's just a silly film about greedy land developers trying to knock down the house of some stubborn old people, who in turn start picking off the workers in an attempt to stop construction. All the characters are annoying caricatures that'll be grating on your nerves after the first 15 minutes. Save yourself the trouble of searching out this movie and just go volunteer at a nursing home.
3/10
3/10
A Hidden Goodie
wschumac12 July 2003
I saw this on HBO back when they were only on from 5P to 2A (This is 1976 for those of you too young to remember). It has some bad acting, and the content was dark, to say the least, but it had some really good points. Firstly the soundtrack was great, featuring the tile song "In Sachet" and secondly, a wonderful actor by the name of Ian Wolfe, who if you ever saw him, you would remember him from one of his umpteen TV appearances. (He started acting in his mid-50's and continued until he was 94 years old in the Warren Beatty powered 'Dick Tracy') The cement-pouring scene is worth the price of renting it, if you can find it. I could not locate it to rent on the major internet DVD rental site. (Don't want to break any IMDB rules). If you do find it, check it out. You'll think twice about sticking your aged loved ones in a retirement home.... I guarantee it... :)
Unique for the Genre
kittyelizabethfarmer30 January 2022
The concept of Homebodies is a good one and an amusing, darkly comic one at that. It features a mostly elderly cast and gives them interesting material to chew on. Of course, interesting doesn't always mean it's without flaws.
Homebodies pits senior citizens against uncaring social workers who want to move them out of the apartment complex they've been in for 30 to 50 years and into nursing homes so a construction company can bulldoze it and use the land for something more productive. As the stakes begin to escalate, the elderly residents team up to stop anyone from taking them or their property anywhere and, sometimes, that means murder.
It's fairly amusing for its first half, but it struggles as to which direction it should go in its second half. This might be a good candidate for a modern remake with a more refined script.
Homebodies pits senior citizens against uncaring social workers who want to move them out of the apartment complex they've been in for 30 to 50 years and into nursing homes so a construction company can bulldoze it and use the land for something more productive. As the stakes begin to escalate, the elderly residents team up to stop anyone from taking them or their property anywhere and, sometimes, that means murder.
It's fairly amusing for its first half, but it struggles as to which direction it should go in its second half. This might be a good candidate for a modern remake with a more refined script.
Homebodies is a distinctive addition to the horror genre, especially for genre enthusiasts
kevin_robbins18 January 2024
I recently watched Homebodies (1974) on Prime. The storyline revolves around a group of elderly individuals facing eviction for a new housing development. Despite their pleas, the construction proceeds, leading them to take matters into their own hands, resulting in mysterious deaths around the construction site.
This picture is directed by Larry Yust (Trick Baby) and stars Peter Brocco (Spartacus), Frances Fuller (One Sunday Afternoon), William Hansen (1776), Ruth McDevitt (The Birds), Paula Trueman (The Outlaw Josey Wales) and Ian Wolfe (THX 1138).
Homebodies stands out in the horror genre with its unique premise and endearing characters. While the acting and dialogue show some inconsistency, the facial expressions and mannerisms of the older characters are noteworthy. The horror elements may be lacking, but the "fall scene" adds a hilarious touch that brings a smile. The film concludes with a fun twist, making the overall journey worthwhile.
In summary, Homebodies is a distinctive addition to the horror genre, especially for genre enthusiasts. I would give it a 5.5/10 and recommend viewing it once.
This picture is directed by Larry Yust (Trick Baby) and stars Peter Brocco (Spartacus), Frances Fuller (One Sunday Afternoon), William Hansen (1776), Ruth McDevitt (The Birds), Paula Trueman (The Outlaw Josey Wales) and Ian Wolfe (THX 1138).
Homebodies stands out in the horror genre with its unique premise and endearing characters. While the acting and dialogue show some inconsistency, the facial expressions and mannerisms of the older characters are noteworthy. The horror elements may be lacking, but the "fall scene" adds a hilarious touch that brings a smile. The film concludes with a fun twist, making the overall journey worthwhile.
In summary, Homebodies is a distinctive addition to the horror genre, especially for genre enthusiasts. I would give it a 5.5/10 and recommend viewing it once.
Brilliant and sick...
Petula1717 April 2004
I was surprised at how clever and darkly humorous this film actually was. It's wonderfully cast, beautifully acted, and totally different from most movies out there. A group of ederly people find that they will go to any extreme to keep their apartment building from being torn down. Led by a their motivated, stop at nothing, leader Maddie they take out any obstacle that gets in their way. It has a surprise ending that I was shocked to see. A really great movie. If you want a strange, witty, twisted and funny movie definitly rent this. Unless you can find a resonably priced used copy, then you should definitly buy it!
Unusual
jmroc20 February 1999
I saw this about 15 years ago when my mother rented it. Why Blockbusters had this in the comedy section, I'll never know. Seniors defending their block of flats against developers at *any* cost. Really creepy, or just bad acting? If you're looking for some _Exorcist_-era horror, it might be worth a look, but only if you've already seen everything else on the shelf.
Somewhat sad and nihilistic horror comedy.
HumanoidOfFlesh9 May 2010
The premise of "Homebodies" is certainly unique:a bunch of old people don't want to leave their apartment complex so they start murdering anyone who tries to force them to leave.This weird little shocker is one of the most underrated horror movies of early 70's.The main characters are well-played and very believable and the murders are quite shocking in its viciousness.The cast includes veteran character actors including Ian Wolfe and Ruth McDevitt from "The Night Stalker" and "The Birds".The killings include stabbing to death with a butcher knife and encasing one victim in cement.Construction workers are also mysteriously dying on a construction site.One of old ladies named Mrs. Loomis resolves to tell the police everything,but Mattie kills her by bashing an urn containing the ashes of Miss Emily deceased husband over her head.Very grim and darkly funny "Homebodies" is a must-see for fans of 70's American horror.
'Unique example of mid-70s weird-beard horror madness!'
Weirdling_Wolf23 January 2014
'Homebodies' is a truly unique example of mid-70s weird-beard horror madness, and as far as I'm aware 'Homebodies' still stands righteously tall to this very day as one of the very few octogenarian-powered revenge melodramas. This singularly themed horror film concerns the ignominious plight of rightfully disgruntled wrinkles as they earnestly confront their callous, money grubbing landlords with imaginatively murderous results! The darkly sardonic films glorious strap-line is a neat précis of all this Zimmer-framed lunacy, to whit:"A murder a day keeps the landlord away!" Iconoclastic director Yust manages to fashion a credible schlocker that achieves the impossible; that is, it manages to simultaneously tug at ones calloused heart strings while a doddering old bint hurls some skeevey schmoe estate agent into a cement-y grave! Hats off to thee, Larry Yust, they REALLY don't make 'em like this anymore!
A superb & thoughtful horror sleeper about the plight of the elderly
Woodyanders18 February 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Six feisty old folks -- blind Peter Brocco, hard-working superintendent Ian Wolfe and his nagging wife Ruth McDermott, kindly writer William Hansen, agoraphobic eccentric Frances Fuller and fierce, formidable old battle ax Paula Trueman -- refuse to leave their crumbling tenement building despite the fact that it's going to be demolished to make way for expensive high-rise apartment complexes. The extremely loyal, hidebound and resourceful over-the-hill group resort to murder so they can remain in their beloved brownstone, bumping off a condescending young woman social worker, a greedy jerk land developer and various hapless construction workers who are victims of random fatal "accidents."
Director/co-writer Larry Yust, who also helmed the bang-up funky blaxploitation blast "Trick Baby," fashions this absorbingly off-kilter plot into a delightfully quirky and deadpan black comic horror oddity, skillfully alternating between shocking moments of brutal violence and inspired bits of uproarious wackiness in a deft, screwy, throwaway style which proves to be both amusingly nutty and occasionally quite unnerving in comparable measure. The murder set pieces are truly jolting and the climactic poky last reel paddle boat chase sequence is nothing short of brilliant. Better still, Yust shows a genuine warmth and compassion for the elderly, scoring points for his incisive critique of our society's gross disregard for senior citizens and how said elderly are among those luckless and powerless people who often don't benefit a bit from progress and urban renewal. Brocco, Wolfe, McDermott, Hansen, Fuller and especially the marvelously sassy and sprightly Trueman (who was also great as Sondra Locke's redoubtable granny in "The Outlaw Josey Wales") all give lively, colorful, thoroughly engaging and touchingly dignified performances as the shrewd, lethal, lovably stubborn and indomitable geriatric protagonists. Beautifully photographed in the rundown Cincinnati slums by Isidore Mankofsky, this splendidly singular and whimsical fright film tale of inner city blight and the resilience of the elderly rates as a definite fabulously off-beat and original must-see sleeper.
Director/co-writer Larry Yust, who also helmed the bang-up funky blaxploitation blast "Trick Baby," fashions this absorbingly off-kilter plot into a delightfully quirky and deadpan black comic horror oddity, skillfully alternating between shocking moments of brutal violence and inspired bits of uproarious wackiness in a deft, screwy, throwaway style which proves to be both amusingly nutty and occasionally quite unnerving in comparable measure. The murder set pieces are truly jolting and the climactic poky last reel paddle boat chase sequence is nothing short of brilliant. Better still, Yust shows a genuine warmth and compassion for the elderly, scoring points for his incisive critique of our society's gross disregard for senior citizens and how said elderly are among those luckless and powerless people who often don't benefit a bit from progress and urban renewal. Brocco, Wolfe, McDermott, Hansen, Fuller and especially the marvelously sassy and sprightly Trueman (who was also great as Sondra Locke's redoubtable granny in "The Outlaw Josey Wales") all give lively, colorful, thoroughly engaging and touchingly dignified performances as the shrewd, lethal, lovably stubborn and indomitable geriatric protagonists. Beautifully photographed in the rundown Cincinnati slums by Isidore Mankofsky, this splendidly singular and whimsical fright film tale of inner city blight and the resilience of the elderly rates as a definite fabulously off-beat and original must-see sleeper.
Endearing little comedy of mean-spirit.
EyeAskance7 August 2003
Rewarding dose of moribund drollery has unscrupulous property developers evicting the elderly tenants of an apartment building, soon to be razed and replaced by more financially viable structures. When attempts to halt the project are met with staunch indifference, individuals involved with the building's imminent demolition are brutally murdered one-by-one in a variety of grisly ways.
Good performances from a likable cast, and an off-kilter, deliciously morbid premise make HOMEBODIES a natural-born cult gem which should be an especially pleasant diversion for fans of HAROLD AND MAUDE, EATING RAOUL, and similar titles culled from the strange realm of diabolically humorous cinema.
6.5/10
Good performances from a likable cast, and an off-kilter, deliciously morbid premise make HOMEBODIES a natural-born cult gem which should be an especially pleasant diversion for fans of HAROLD AND MAUDE, EATING RAOUL, and similar titles culled from the strange realm of diabolically humorous cinema.
6.5/10
ELDERLY DARK COMEDY
kirbylee70-599-5261799 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Back when HBO was new for most I was watching one night when a movie came on I'd heard of but never seen. I decided to give it a watch and was glad I did after. I found the movie thought provoking and hilarious. After that I never saw the movie again though I remembered it. If it was released on VHS I never saw it though it looks like Sony released it in 1994. So when I saw Kino Lorber was releasing it to disc I was excited to see it once more.
Released in 1974 the film takes place in New York City, a time when developers were tearing down parts of the city that had crumbled with no one taking care of the buildings and replacing them with high rise apartment complexes and buildings. Many didn't want to move but had no choice when the city would condemn their buildings or the owners would sell for top dollar. HOMEBODIES is set during this time.
An old building houses a number of elderly people who love their home. But a developer has been buying the houses up and down the street intending to demolish them and rebuild a new set of more expensive apartments there. One of the tenants, Mattie (Paula Trueman) decides that maybe she should take matters into her own hands. She sabotages the worksite where the first buildings are going up, resulting in the deaths of some of the workers there which stops the building from going up. But this can't go on forever.
A welfare worker continues to inform the tenants that they must move and if they don't do so on their own they will be forcibly removed. Making a visit to ensure that they obey, she is stabbed by one of the tenants. As they all stand around her watching her die, they have to decide what to do next. They decide to hide her death and load her into her car which Mattie will dispose of. Except Mattie doesn't know how to drive which leads to a slapstick style moment as she makes her way to dispose of the car and body.
This continues as the group of tenants are now bound to one another keeping the secret and making sure no one finds out. But one among them is troubled by this and it remains to be seen what the rest will do about her sense of decency. In the meantime they continue to refuse to move while at the same time trying to figure out just what to do. Will they relocate? Or will they just continue to deal with those trying to force them to move? And if so how high will the body count go before someone notices?
The movie works on so many different levels and is both funny, touching and troubling at the same time. The humor here is definitely dark and involves a number of aging character actors at the time who were quite recognizable which made the film work. It was touching in that these characters cared so much about one another, knew everything about and were willing to stick by one another. And it was troubling because all of us reach that age at some point and you begin to wonder, how will I be treated when I find myself in this stage of life?
When the final credits roll on this film you find yourself thinking about what you've just watched. You chuckle at those funny moments and the characters and their behaviors. At the same time you begin to think about your treatment of the elderly in your life. And as I said, you wonder how you will be treated. The movie sticks with you long after watching it.
I whole heartedly encourage you to seek this one out. It will take your emotions from one extreme to the other. You will laugh, you will worry about the characters and you may cry a little. And hopefully you'll walk away thinking a little bit about how to treat those older people in your life.
Released in 1974 the film takes place in New York City, a time when developers were tearing down parts of the city that had crumbled with no one taking care of the buildings and replacing them with high rise apartment complexes and buildings. Many didn't want to move but had no choice when the city would condemn their buildings or the owners would sell for top dollar. HOMEBODIES is set during this time.
An old building houses a number of elderly people who love their home. But a developer has been buying the houses up and down the street intending to demolish them and rebuild a new set of more expensive apartments there. One of the tenants, Mattie (Paula Trueman) decides that maybe she should take matters into her own hands. She sabotages the worksite where the first buildings are going up, resulting in the deaths of some of the workers there which stops the building from going up. But this can't go on forever.
A welfare worker continues to inform the tenants that they must move and if they don't do so on their own they will be forcibly removed. Making a visit to ensure that they obey, she is stabbed by one of the tenants. As they all stand around her watching her die, they have to decide what to do next. They decide to hide her death and load her into her car which Mattie will dispose of. Except Mattie doesn't know how to drive which leads to a slapstick style moment as she makes her way to dispose of the car and body.
This continues as the group of tenants are now bound to one another keeping the secret and making sure no one finds out. But one among them is troubled by this and it remains to be seen what the rest will do about her sense of decency. In the meantime they continue to refuse to move while at the same time trying to figure out just what to do. Will they relocate? Or will they just continue to deal with those trying to force them to move? And if so how high will the body count go before someone notices?
The movie works on so many different levels and is both funny, touching and troubling at the same time. The humor here is definitely dark and involves a number of aging character actors at the time who were quite recognizable which made the film work. It was touching in that these characters cared so much about one another, knew everything about and were willing to stick by one another. And it was troubling because all of us reach that age at some point and you begin to wonder, how will I be treated when I find myself in this stage of life?
When the final credits roll on this film you find yourself thinking about what you've just watched. You chuckle at those funny moments and the characters and their behaviors. At the same time you begin to think about your treatment of the elderly in your life. And as I said, you wonder how you will be treated. The movie sticks with you long after watching it.
I whole heartedly encourage you to seek this one out. It will take your emotions from one extreme to the other. You will laugh, you will worry about the characters and you may cry a little. And hopefully you'll walk away thinking a little bit about how to treat those older people in your life.
Golden Oldie
saint_brett9 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
You have to hand it to a movie like this - what you hand it exactly I'm not entirely sure - but marketing old folk is a tough gig.
Who, or what, age demographic does 'Homebodies' appeal to? The Shirley MacLaine crowd? A Jack Lemmon audience?
There are certain scenes in this movie that remind me of 'Microwave Massacre.' Namely the part where the hardhat workers are sitting around eating that guy's wife on a sandwich and one of them is like, "Hey, what kind of meat is this? It sure is a tummy turn-on."
'Homebodies' starts out with Granny Clampett pampering before going out to shop. She leaves the building from either 'Enemy Territory' or 'Tenement.' Follow me? Basically, she lives in the bad part of town after all the oil money dried up in Beverly Hills.
Wasn't this where Janet Jackson filmed her "Alright" video?
Although it claims to have been filmed in Ohio, the place resembles The Bronx in the early 80's to me.
Granny Clampett wanders out and sets her sights on the gentrification a block across and can only dream. Approval or disapproval, I'm not sure?
Dilapidated buildings all around Clampett's residence force old folk to be shipped off to the mean streets of Kensington PA against their will.
The scene at the 7:42-minute mark is the show stealer in my opinion.
I think it's the same dude in MS .45 who gets shot in the head? But he is airlifted up about twenty floors by a crane and the wire snaps resulting in him falling back to earth and perishing. It is extremely well filmed. I doubt safe work practises would allow a man to do that in 2022. This scene is so well filmed that I've rewound it a third time and it warrants an automatic 10/10 right there! Good stuff. (The wire on the hoist was sabotaged we later learn. Way to go. As Little Mac would say, "Right on." The blind guy from Seinfeld, with the glasses that pinch, is the guilty party responsible.)
This isn't The People Vs Larry Flynt, or George Lucas - it's senior citizens Vs the construction workers for invading their crumby turf and forcing them out!
It's the geriatric oldies who are the heroes of this movie. They take a stand and refuse to relinquish their beloved homes, which are targeted by council officials, who want them all demolished & gone. Buildings and people.
With the government officials intimidating them into compliance they band together and form a death pact and murder the construction workers, in an attempt to delay the demolition.
Oh no, the boom mic at the 33:06-minute mark. One yard penalty. That's a blemish on your record, movie. There goes your 10/10.
A show of force sees everyone eventually moved on one morning but their love for the old building won't see the last of them in the area.
The poor old fuddy-duds are moved from The Bronx and are shipped off to the outer suburbs of The Projects and it's just this shoebox accommodation for palliative care victims waiting for the inevitable. (You'd be better off in a prison cell on Alcatraz.)
This eviction lady looks a lot like Samantha from 'Bewitched.' Whoever she was she just copped one through the stomach. They didn't miss her.
If Clint Eastwood had the energy, he should re-imagine this movie. Did Eastwood ever film a movie over on the East Coast?
Is that Mick from 'Rocky?'
These old-timers seem harmless, but they're straight up ruthless murderers.
Ed Gein would have been proud of this movie. I wonder?
Is that Richard from 'Keeping Up Appearances?'
Having killed Samantha, her dead body poses a problem for the gang so they must come up with a solution quick fast.
Granny Clampett is lost in NY in this car scene. I knew the cops would appear at one stage. This driving scene is a hoot.
Hating their new residence at The Projects, the gang return to The Bronx late one night and resettle like stubborn mules.
They're also common thieves, too. They steal a wheelchair from an old people's home as they require it to transport the dead body of Samantha.
Wheeling the dead body out in broad daylight, the objective is to get Samantha as far away as possible from the crime scene. Along the way they encounter a traffic cop, Clampett assaults a lady, then illegal dumping sees them drop Samantha in a moving freight train. Oh brother.
Guess what? They're now pulling a 'Lethal Weapon 3' and burying this man alive in cement. Cold hearted, man. But I still like this lot. They're good people.
They cover their tracks well and are pretty sharp for old-timers.
The funny thing is, no one would ever suspected them.
A wrecking ball is sabotaged to kill a guy in a portable toilet and by this time you get the point that they're all cold-blooded killers.
Unfortunately, inhouse fighting sees the gang turn on each other and they have a falling out and start bopping each other off.
For some reason Granny Clampett is singled out and escorted to her execution but keeps escaping.
This reminds me of George being chased by all the old people on mobility scooters in Seinfeld.
They're drowning her. Granny Clampett somehow survives the drowning and reappears at the end like the living dead. She's the star of the show. Or, that hoist scene is?
Good stuff.
Who, or what, age demographic does 'Homebodies' appeal to? The Shirley MacLaine crowd? A Jack Lemmon audience?
There are certain scenes in this movie that remind me of 'Microwave Massacre.' Namely the part where the hardhat workers are sitting around eating that guy's wife on a sandwich and one of them is like, "Hey, what kind of meat is this? It sure is a tummy turn-on."
'Homebodies' starts out with Granny Clampett pampering before going out to shop. She leaves the building from either 'Enemy Territory' or 'Tenement.' Follow me? Basically, she lives in the bad part of town after all the oil money dried up in Beverly Hills.
Wasn't this where Janet Jackson filmed her "Alright" video?
Although it claims to have been filmed in Ohio, the place resembles The Bronx in the early 80's to me.
Granny Clampett wanders out and sets her sights on the gentrification a block across and can only dream. Approval or disapproval, I'm not sure?
Dilapidated buildings all around Clampett's residence force old folk to be shipped off to the mean streets of Kensington PA against their will.
The scene at the 7:42-minute mark is the show stealer in my opinion.
I think it's the same dude in MS .45 who gets shot in the head? But he is airlifted up about twenty floors by a crane and the wire snaps resulting in him falling back to earth and perishing. It is extremely well filmed. I doubt safe work practises would allow a man to do that in 2022. This scene is so well filmed that I've rewound it a third time and it warrants an automatic 10/10 right there! Good stuff. (The wire on the hoist was sabotaged we later learn. Way to go. As Little Mac would say, "Right on." The blind guy from Seinfeld, with the glasses that pinch, is the guilty party responsible.)
This isn't The People Vs Larry Flynt, or George Lucas - it's senior citizens Vs the construction workers for invading their crumby turf and forcing them out!
It's the geriatric oldies who are the heroes of this movie. They take a stand and refuse to relinquish their beloved homes, which are targeted by council officials, who want them all demolished & gone. Buildings and people.
With the government officials intimidating them into compliance they band together and form a death pact and murder the construction workers, in an attempt to delay the demolition.
Oh no, the boom mic at the 33:06-minute mark. One yard penalty. That's a blemish on your record, movie. There goes your 10/10.
A show of force sees everyone eventually moved on one morning but their love for the old building won't see the last of them in the area.
The poor old fuddy-duds are moved from The Bronx and are shipped off to the outer suburbs of The Projects and it's just this shoebox accommodation for palliative care victims waiting for the inevitable. (You'd be better off in a prison cell on Alcatraz.)
This eviction lady looks a lot like Samantha from 'Bewitched.' Whoever she was she just copped one through the stomach. They didn't miss her.
If Clint Eastwood had the energy, he should re-imagine this movie. Did Eastwood ever film a movie over on the East Coast?
Is that Mick from 'Rocky?'
These old-timers seem harmless, but they're straight up ruthless murderers.
Ed Gein would have been proud of this movie. I wonder?
Is that Richard from 'Keeping Up Appearances?'
Having killed Samantha, her dead body poses a problem for the gang so they must come up with a solution quick fast.
Granny Clampett is lost in NY in this car scene. I knew the cops would appear at one stage. This driving scene is a hoot.
Hating their new residence at The Projects, the gang return to The Bronx late one night and resettle like stubborn mules.
They're also common thieves, too. They steal a wheelchair from an old people's home as they require it to transport the dead body of Samantha.
Wheeling the dead body out in broad daylight, the objective is to get Samantha as far away as possible from the crime scene. Along the way they encounter a traffic cop, Clampett assaults a lady, then illegal dumping sees them drop Samantha in a moving freight train. Oh brother.
Guess what? They're now pulling a 'Lethal Weapon 3' and burying this man alive in cement. Cold hearted, man. But I still like this lot. They're good people.
They cover their tracks well and are pretty sharp for old-timers.
The funny thing is, no one would ever suspected them.
A wrecking ball is sabotaged to kill a guy in a portable toilet and by this time you get the point that they're all cold-blooded killers.
Unfortunately, inhouse fighting sees the gang turn on each other and they have a falling out and start bopping each other off.
For some reason Granny Clampett is singled out and escorted to her execution but keeps escaping.
This reminds me of George being chased by all the old people on mobility scooters in Seinfeld.
They're drowning her. Granny Clampett somehow survives the drowning and reappears at the end like the living dead. She's the star of the show. Or, that hoist scene is?
Good stuff.
See also
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