The Pack (1977)

The residents of vacation spot Seal Island find themselves terrorized by a pack of dogs -- the remnants of discarded pets by visiting vacationers.

Director:

Robert Clouse

Writers:

Robert Clouse (screenplay), David Fisher (novel)

Stars:

Joe Don Baker, Hope Alexander-Willis, Richard B. Shull

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joe Don Baker	...	Jerry
Hope Alexander-Willis	...	Millie
Richard B. Shull	...	Hardiman
R.G. Armstrong	...	Cobb
Ned Wertimer	...	Walker
Bibi Besch	...	Marge
Delos V. Smith Jr.	...	McMinnimee
Richard O'Brien	...	Jim Dodge
Sherry Miles	...	Lois
Paul Willson	...	Tommy Dodge
Eric Knight	...	Guy
Steve Lytle	...	Paul
Rob Narke	...	Husband
Peggy Price	...	Wife
Steve Butts	...	Bobby

Storyline

A horror movie about a pack of dogs who run amok on an island resort. Veteran action star (Joe Don Baker) plays the marine biologist forced to deal with the dilemma when the dogs begin to exhibit their killer instincts by hunting down and killing resort patrons.

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Plot Keywords:

dog | resort | island | pack of dogs | marine biologist | 

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Taglines:

They're not pets anymore.

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 November 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Long Hard Night

Filming Locations:

Bodega Bay, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References The Killer Shrews (1959)

User Reviews

Man's Best Friend … No More!

The basic premise of this underrated 70's "Nature revolting against Humanity" flick truly fascinated me, because I've always been concerned about how it would affect dogs' most primitive instincts if they were to be abandoned by their owners. Every year, usually during summer time, you hear depressing reports about pets that are dumped, either tied up to trees or simply thrown out of driving cars, whilst the owners go on vacation and just don't ever look back on them. What goes on in an animal's head at such a moment? Do the instincts of loyalty and amiability slowly develop into aggression and even the urge for vengeance? Does their relentless treatment slowly stimulate a hate for humans? Personally I think this is a terrific outline for a low-budget horror movie, and in the competent hands of director Robert Clouse ("Enter the Dragon", "The Ultimate Warrior") it became a magnificently atmospheric and suspenseful thriller, with some very memorable moments and good acting performances. The events take place on a small vacation resort called Seal Island, where tourists mainly come for to fish and to enjoy nature. During the opening sequence, we witness how a family of three is about to return back to the mainland after their holiday but they have one more thing left to do, namely a tying up their cute and howling dog to a tree in the backyard. The animal eventually bites through his leash and joins an entire pack of abandoned and already bewildered of dogs, led by a vicious and truly menacing crossover breed. The pack gradually becomes more aggressive and devours horses and a helpless old blind man before reverting to their main targets, a group of obnoxious tourists and unsuspecting locals. This is easily one of the best "killer-dog" movies I've ever seen, and it benefices from a whole lot of secondary aspects like the isolated and claustrophobic island location, the detailed character drawings of the locals and the fact that the emphasis lies on tension instead of on graphic massacres. Joe Don Baker gives a terrific performance as the marine biologist who eventually also turns into a loud-barking pack-leader himself. The dogs – and then particularly the leader of the pack – are impressively scary, so big kudos to the people who trained them. I can image that this is what behaviorist spiral a once loyal and friendly dog goes through when mistreated like this. Clouse's direction is extremely solid and the cinematography is moody and splendid. The absolute highlight-sequences involve the fierce dogs chasing down an obese victim until he falls of some cliffs, the virulent dog-attack on the jeep and – of course – the fabulous end shot. Highly recommended… And continue to treat your pets with the respect they deserve!