Blades (1988) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A golf professional and his allies uncover and destroy a sentient lawnmower responsible for murders at Tall Grass Country Club.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Blood on the Fairway

A series of unexplained killings begins near Tall Grass Country Club. Norman attempts to protect the club's tournament, while Charlie Kimmel starts an official investigation.

Key Events

• Teenagers Found Dead — Two teenagers are killed by an unseen force while camping and making out near the golf course. Location: Field near Tall Grass Country Club
• Simpkins Murdered — Mr. Simpkins is killed and his bloodied remains are found near the same golf hole. Location: Tall Grass golf course
• Murder Cover-Up — Norman tries to keep the murders private while preparing the club for a televised tournament. Characters: Norman Osgood Location: Tall Grass Country Club
• Police Investigation Begins — Norman brings police chief Charlie Kimmel to investigate the deaths. Characters: Charlie Kimmel, Norman Osgood Location: Tall Grass Country Club

Clues Beneath the Grass

Roy investigates physical evidence while another victim increases pressure on the club. A chaotic manhunt ends with Deke being blamed for the murders.

Key Events

• Roy Searches For Clues — Roy investigates oil stains, mowed-grass paths, and a broken golf ball near Simpkins's body. Characters: Roy Kent Location: Tall Grass golf course
• Caddy Becomes Victim — A young caddy is killed, extending the series of unexplained course murders. Location: Tall Grass golf course
• Course-Wide Manhunt — Kimmel calls for a course-wide maniac hunt, drawing the club into a chaotic search. Characters: Charlie Kimmel, Norman Osgood, Roy Kent Location: Tall Grass golf course
• Deke Accused — Club members accuse Deke after finding him trying to start a lawnmower. Characters: Deke Slade, Roy Kent, Norman Osgood Location: Tall Grass golf course

The Wrong Suspect

Deke describes a self-moving killer lawnmower but is imprisoned instead of believed. Roy and Kelly discover evidence that the suspected mower contains no body parts.

Key Events

• Deke Describes The Mower — Deke claims a larger mower attacks people independently and says he is tracking it. Characters: Deke Slade, Charlie Kimmel Location: Police station
• Deke Locked Up — Deke is dismissed as insane and confined while the authorities accept the mistaken accusation. Characters: Deke Slade, Charlie Kimmel Location: Police station
• Tournament Continues — Norman proceeds with the tournament, but Roy remains skeptical that Deke is the killer. Characters: Norman Osgood, Roy Kent Location: Tall Grass Country Club
• Lawnmower Bag Examined — Roy and Kelly cut open the mower bag and find grass rather than body parts. Characters: Roy Kent, Kelly Lange Location: Tall Grass Country Club
• Spotters Hired — Roy and Kelly secretly hire spotters to protect players during the tournament. Characters: Roy Kent, Kelly Lange Location: Tall Grass golf course

Tournament Under Siege

Roy and Kelly arrange secret protection for the tournament. The sentient lawnmower attacks after the game and kills Squire Evans, proving Deke's warning correct.

Key Events

• Spotters Hired — Roy and Kelly secretly hire spotters to protect players during the tournament. Characters: Roy Kent, Kelly Lange Location: Tall Grass golf course
• Squire Evans Killed — After the game ends, the sentient lawnmower invades the course and brutally kills Squire Evans. Characters: Squire Evans, Roy Kent, Kelly Lange, Norman Osgood Location: Tall Grass golf course
• Deke Released — Roy convinces Norman to release Deke after the mower attack proves Deke's warning was genuine. Characters: Roy Kent, Deke Slade, Norman Osgood Location: Police station

The Last Fairway

Roy secures Deke's release, and the three survivors devise a trap using a van, balloons, and hay bales. Deke dies luring the mower, but Roy destroys it with an explosive and a golf ball.

Key Events

• Metalworks Agreement — Roy offers Deke $20,000 to help him and Kelly stop the lawnmower, and Deke accepts. Characters: Roy Kent, Kelly Lange, Deke Slade Location: Old metalworks factory
• Baiting Plan Devised — The trio plans to bait the mower by tossing balloon-attached hay bales from a van. Characters: Roy Kent, Kelly Lange, Deke Slade Location: Old metalworks factory
• Deke Reveals Mower History — Deke says the mower belonged to his father, a fired greenskeeper who was decapitated by it. Characters: Deke Slade Location: Old metalworks factory
• Deke Sacrifices Himself — The sugar-in-fuel plan fails, Roy crashes the van, and Deke lures the mower before being killed. Characters: Roy Kent, Kelly Lange, Deke Slade Location: Tall Grass golf course
• Mower Destroyed — Roy throws an explosive onto the mower and putts a golf ball onto it, causing it to burn and explode. Characters: Roy Kent, Kelly Lange Location: Tall Grass golf course

Story Breakdown

• Murders At Tall Grass — Unexplained killings threaten the country club and its nationally televised tournament.
  • Teenagers Found Dead — Two teenagers are killed near the famed golf course.
  • Simpkins Murdered — Mr. Simpkins is found dead near the same golf hole.
• Club Conceals The Crisis — Norman prioritizes the tournament while authorities begin investigating the murders.
  • Norman Protects Tournament — Norman tries to keep the murders private.
  • Kimmel Takes Command — Charlie Kimmel organizes the official investigation.
• Roy Follows The Clues — Roy conducts an independent inquiry that identifies evidence overlooked by the club.
  • Oil Stains Discovered — Roy finds oil stains and mowed-grass paths.
  • Broken Ball Found — A busted golf ball is discovered near Simpkins's body.
• Deke Becomes Suspect — A mistaken accusation diverts attention from the real killer.
  • Coursewide Hunt — The club joins Kimmel in a chaotic manhunt.
  • Deke Imprisoned — Deke's warning about the mower is rejected.
• Mower Reveals Itself — Evidence and a public attack establish that the true killer is an autonomous lawnmower.
  • Empty Mower Bag — Roy and Kelly find grass instead of body parts.
  • Squire Evans Dies — The mower attacks after the tournament and kills Squire.
• Final Counterattack — Roy, Kelly, and Deke attempt to bait and destroy the mower.
  • Deke Joins The Plan — Roy pays Deke to help lure the mower.
  • Explosive Golf Finish — Roy ignites and destroys the mower with an explosive and golf ball.

Directed by

Thomas R. Rondinella

Key Cast

• Robert North — Roy Kent
• Jeremy Whelan — Deke Slade
• Victoria Scott D'Angelo — Kelly Lange
• Holly Stevenson — Bea Osgood
• William Towner — Norman Osgood