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Piranha (1978)

 -  Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi  -  3 August 1978 (USA)
5.8
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Ratings: 5.8/10 from 9,543 users  
Reviews: 104 user | 122 critic

When flesh-eating piranhas are accidently released into a summer resort's rivers, the guests become their next meal.

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(story), (story), 1 more credit »
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Title: Piranha (1978)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Maggie McKeown (as Heather Menzies)
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...
...
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Laura Dickinson (as Melody Thomas)
Bruce Gordon ...
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Shannon Collins ...
Shawn Nelson ...
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Janie Squire ...
Edit

Storyline

When flesh-eating piranhas are accidently released into a summer resort's rivers, the guests become their next meal. Written by Concorde - New Horizons (with permission).

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

piranha | river | fish | water | experiment | See more »

Taglines:

There's something in the water at Lost River Lake. Something you can't see...something you can't feel...until it's too late! See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

3 August 1978 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Piraña  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$600,000 (estimated)

Gross:

SEK 1,585,673 (Sweden)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (TV)

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

The novelization fills in some of the background about Paul's character. His wife left him which is why he's such a hard drinker. The only explanation given is that she couldn't stand the sight of him. He doesn't write or try to contact his daughter, something Laura the camp councilor resented him for. She later changed her mind about Paul after saving (some of) the kids from piranha. Including his daughter. And the main reason Dumont thinks he's drunk over the phone is because during one visit to the camp, Paul drunkenly threw Dumont in the river when he told him to leave. See more »

Goofs

The water skier is doing his runs on the river. He is wearing a orange life jacket, but when he falls into the water the jacket is yellow. See more »

Quotes

Maggie McKeown: That guard is still out there.
Paul Grogan: Fine, I need you to distract him.
Maggie McKeown: What for?
Paul Grogan: So I can get away.
Maggie McKeown: So YOU can get away? What about me?
Paul Grogan: Well suit yourself. Just come onto him, tell him what an admirer you are of Army or something like that.
Maggie McKeown: What if he's gay?
Paul Grogan: Then I'll go and distract him!
See more »

Crazy Credits

The title sinks into the pond water at the start, and turns it blood red. Over the end credits, we hear the sound of piranhas swimming in the ocean. The water turns red as well. See more »

Connections

Remade as Piranha (2010) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Really Bad
4 November 2003 | by (Melbourne, Australia) – See all my reviews

I was really looking forward to seeing this film, I had heard so much about it & John Sayles of Alligator fame had penned the script so how bad could it be? Actually it was really terrible. Possibly this is one of those films that has not stood the test of time. The opening is O.K, and there are some nice creature effects, but the acting is so bad and some of the sub plots so corny that there is no doubt that you are watching a Roger Corman production

  • and a bad one at that. Only watch it if you really have a burning
desire to see it - otherwise stay away.


8 of 15 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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