Caine (1969)
"Shark!" (original title)

A gunrunner loses his cargo near a small coastal Sudanese town so he's stuck there. When a woman hires him to raid a sunken ship in the shark-infested waters, he sees a chance to compensate for his losses. He's not the only one.

Director:

Samuel Fuller

Writers:

Victor Canning (novel), Samuel Fuller (screenplay),

Stars:

Burt Reynolds, Arthur Kennedy, Silvia Pinal

Cast

Credited cast:
Burt Reynolds	...	Caine
Arthur Kennedy	...	Doc
Silvia Pinal	...	Anna
Barry Sullivan	...	Prof. Dan Mallare
Enrique Lucero	...	Inspector Barok
Carlos Barry	...	Runt
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Manuel Alvarado	...	Latalla
José Chávez	...	Lieutenant (as Jose Chavez Trowe)
Francisco Reiguera	...	Yusef
Emilia Stuart	...	Asha

Storyline

A gunrunner loses his cargo near a small coastal Sudanese town so he's stuck there. When a woman hires him to raid a sunken ship in the shark-infested waters, he sees a chance to compensate for his losses. He's not the only one.

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Plot Keywords:

sunken ship | car over cliff | fistfight | hairy chest | sunken treasure | 

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Taglines:

More 'Bite' Than "JAWS"!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

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Certificate:

M

Details

Official Sites:

Troma

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1969 (USA)

Also Known As:

Maneater

Filming Locations:

Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinematográfica Calderón S.A., Heritage Entertainment Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Samuel Fuller didn't recognize this picture because it was re-edited by the producer. Fuller never wanted to talk about it.

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Connections

Referenced in Eisai to tairi mou: Episode #1.2 (2001)

User Reviews

Bad Film, but not Fuller's fault

Contrary to the previous critic's statements, the end result of this film is not a reflection on Burt, the crew or the late great Samuel Fuller. This was a doomed project from the beginning. Fuller, recently returning from France, was all but blacklisted by American producers. His two previous films: Shock Corridor and Naked Kiss were too hard hitting and edgy for Hollywood producers. Almost completely broke, Fuller accepted an offer from two Mexican producers to adapt Victor Canning's 'Twist of the Knife'. Thus began "Caine", AKA "Maneater" AKA "Shark!", etc al. At the time, Burt Reynolds was only a television actor, with few if any real film credits. Silvia Pinal, who was great in Luis Bunuel's masterful, 'Viridiana' was terrific in Shark, as was Barry Sullivan as Mallare(who was also great in Fuller's, 'Forty Guns'). Ultimately, the Mexican producers/studio heads completely recut this film behind Fuller's back. Fuller denounced it, and with good reason. This film is bad, make no mistake. However, it was not Sam Fuller's fault, or Burt's, or Pinal, or Raul Martinez Solares, who provided the gritty, spooky cinematography for Shark. Shark is still enjoyable enough though. I would recommend Vodka or some aged Kentucky Bourbon as an accompaniment. Maybe some Bulleit on ice. Water-logged? I think not. This lil' stinker just requires a bit of booze and some willing cohorts.