Piranha (1978)

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

Director:

Joe Dante

Writers:

Richard Robinson (story), John Sayles (story),

Stars:

Bradford Dillman, Heather Menzies-Urich, Kevin McCarthy

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bradford Dillman	...	Paul Grogan
Heather Menzies-Urich	...	Maggie McKeown (as Heather Menzies)
Kevin McCarthy	...	Dr. Robert Hoak
Keenan Wynn	...	Jack
Dick Miller	...	Buck Gardner
Barbara Steele	...	Dr. Mengers
Belinda Balaski	...	Betsy
Melody Thomas Scott	...	Laura Dickinson (as Melody Thomas)
Bruce Gordon	...	Colonel Waxman
Barry Brown	...	Trooper
Paul Bartel	...	Mr. Dumont
Shannon Collins	...	Suzie Grogan
Shawn Nelson	...	Whitney
Richard Deacon	...	Earl Lyon
Janie Squire	...	Barbara Randolph

Storyline

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

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Plot Keywords:

piranha | river | fish | water | experiment | 

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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!

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 August 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Piraña

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$600,000 (estimated)

Gross:

SEK 1,585,673 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New World Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min 106 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Connections

Remade as Piranha (2010)

User Reviews

Really Bad

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.