Orca (1977)

A hunter squares off against a killer whale seeking vengeance for the death of its mate.

Director:

Michael Anderson

Writers:

Luciano Vincenzoni (story), Sergio Donati,

Stars:

Richard Harris, Charlotte Rampling, Will Sampson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Harris	...	Captain Nolan
Charlotte Rampling	...	Rachel Bedford
Will Sampson	...	Umilak
Bo Derek	...	Annie
Keenan Wynn	...	Novak
Robert Carradine	...	Ken
Scott Walker	...	Al Swain
Peter Hooten	...	Paul
Wayne Heffley	...	Priest
Vincent Gentile	...	Gas Station Attendant
Don 'Red' Barry	...	Dock Worker

Storyline

After witnessing his mate and child's death from Nolan's hands, Orca, the killer whale, goes on a rampage in the fishermen's harbor. Under the villagers' pressure, Nolan, Rachel and an Indian sail after the great beast, who will bring them on his own turf.

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Plot Keywords:

whale | killer whale | revenge | death | harbor | 

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Taglines:

Terror just beneath the surface

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Genres:

Adventure | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 July 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Orca: Killer Whale

Filming Locations:

Malta

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica, Famous Films (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The killer whale was portrayed by a combination of stock footage taken at Marine World in Redwood City, California, and an animatronic whale which was filmed off the coasts of Malta and Newfoundland.

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Goofs

The film is set in Newfoundland, Canada, but in some scenes the main character's fishing vessel flies the U.S. flag.

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Quotes

Rachel: [while listening to Orca's sounds through a hydrophone] What is he saying?
Captain Nolan: You're me, he says... I'm you, he says... you're my... drunk driver... he says...

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Connections

Referenced in Unleashing the Beast: Making 'The Howling' (2003)

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Soundtracks

"My Love, We Are One"
Performed by Carol Connors
Music by Ennio Morricone

User Reviews

Harrowing but powerful.

A somewhat cheesy tale of man versus beast. Leave your sad pills alone, because this film will do it for you. The photography is perplexing: at times we see troubling "cheap" shots detailing bloody scenes and wounded creatures (reminder: "Jaws" was released two years earlier) but the overall cinematography is captured quite nicely, showing the vast, cold maritime coastal region that provides the both the setting and the mood. The disturbing theme song is unforgettable, as it mimics some of the sad, vocal tones emitted by the orcas themselves. The story line is somewhat juvenile (think "Road Runner" cartoons) but where the film grabs us is that rarely has a "man versus beast" tale been told with such tragic emotion. Most of us are aware of the high intellect of the killer whale, but very few have dared to show their emotional side. Sad, gripping, and difficult to watch, this film's reward is to become more acquainted with these amazing sea mammals.