The Plumber (1979)
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- Not Rated
- 1h 16min
- Horror, Thriller
- Nov 1981 (USA)
- TV Movie
A young couple, living in a campus apartment complex, are repeatedly harassed by an eccentric plumber, who subjects them to a series of bizarre mind games while making unnecessary repairs to their bathroom.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Judy Morris | ... |
Jill Cowper
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| Ivar Kants | ... |
Max
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| Robert Coleby | ... |
Brian Cowper
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Candy Raymond | ... |
Meg
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Henri Szeps | ... |
David Medavoy
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Yomi Abiodun | ... |
Dr. Matu
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Beverley Roberts | ... |
Dr. Japari
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Bruce Rosen | ... |
Dr. Don Felder
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Daphne Grey | ... |
Caretaker's Wife
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| Meme Thorne | ... |
Anna
(as Mémé Thorne)
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David Burchell | ... |
Professor Cato
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| Paul Sonkkila | ... |
Reg the Cleaner
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Pam Sanders | ... |
Ananas
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Rick Hart | ... |
Detective
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Giovanni Giglio | ... |
Italian Singer
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Directed by
| Peter Weir | ||
Written by
| Peter Weir | ... | (written by) |
| Harold Lander | ... | (story editor) |
Produced by
| Matt Carroll | ... | producer (produced by) |
Music by
| Gerry Tolland | ||
Cinematography by
| David Sanderson | ||
Editing by
| Gerald Turney-Smith | ... | (as G. Turney-Smith) |
Editorial Department
| Bill Gooley | ... | laboratory liaison |
| Steven Harris | ... | assistant editor (as Steve Harris) |
| Craig Lahiff | ... | assistant editor |
Production Design by
| Wendy Stites | ... | (as Wendy Weir) |
Art Direction by
| Ken James | ||
| Herbert Pinter | ||
Makeup Department
| Vivien Mepham | ... | makeup artist (as Viv Mepham) |
Production Management
| Penny Chapman | ... | unit manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Patrick Clayton | ... | first assistant director (as Pat Clayton) |
| Scott Hicks | ... | second assistant director |
| Kevin McKie | ... | third assistant director |
Art Department
| Anni Browning | ... | stand-by props |
| Peter Templeton | ... | construction assistant |
Sound Department
| James Currie | ... | boom operator (as Jim Currie) |
| Ken Hammond | ... | sound recordist |
| Rod Pascoe | ... | sound mixer |
Camera and Electrical Department
| David Foreman | ... | focus puller |
| Keith Johnson | ... | assistant electrician |
| David Kynoch | ... | still photographer |
| Merv McLaughlin | ... | key grip |
| Peter Moss | ... | camera operator |
| Miles Moulson | ... | gaffer |
| Michael White | ... | grip |
Casting Department
| Alison Barrett | ... | casting: Sydney |
| Ann Peters | ... | casting: Adelaide (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Ruth De la Lande | ... | wardrobe mistress |
Music Department
| Rory O'Donoghue | ... | additional music |
Script and Continuity Department
| Moya Iceton | ... | continuity |
Additional Crew
| Mont Fieguth | ... | technical advisor (as Monty Fieguth) |
| Carmen Galán | ... | numbering assistant (as Carmen Galan) |
| Jim Kirkland | ... | medical advisor (as Dr. Jim Kirkland) |
| Harley Manners | ... | production accountant |
| Kevin McKie | ... | runner |
| Barbara Ring | ... | production secretary |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1980) (United States) (tv) (original airing)
- Cinema Ventures (1981) (United States) (theatrical)
- Australian Video (1982) (Australia) (VHS)
- Aquarius TV (2004) (Greece) (tv)
- Home Vision Entertainment (HVE) (2004) (United States) (DVD) (widescreen)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (DVD)
- Australian Video (1982) (Australia) (video) (beta)
- Canal+ (1991) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Image Entertainment (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- Koch Media (2013) (Germany) (DVD)
- Nacional Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Nine Network Australia (1979) (Australia) (tv)
- Scanbox Entertainment (2006) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Star Video (1982) (Australia) (VHS) (Australian Video)
- Star Video (1982) (Australia) (video) (Australian Video) (beta)
- The Criterion Channel (2024) (World-wide) (video)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Jude's Pacific Emporium (New Guinea artifacts)
- Movie Munchies (catering)
- SAFC Studios (sound mixing)
- South Australian Casting (casting: Adelaide)
- The South Australian Film Corporation (sound post-production)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In Adelaide, the wife of Dr. Brian Cowper, Jill Cowper, is writing her thesis at home for her Master's in Anthropology. When the plumber, Max, arrives unexpectedly to do a routine check and maintenance of the the bathroom pipes, Jill is stuck alone at home with the strange, talkative stranger. That day, he mentions spending some time in prison, frightening Jill. She talks about this to her friend Meg, her husband Brian and the superintendent's wife, but they all believe the plumber to be a simple, but nice man. Jill does not agree. There is a problem in the bathroom that brings Max back again, this time even longer. Over time, the tension between them increases. Finally, Jill finds a way to get rid of the plumber. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The Australian New Wave Has Come See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | AUD150,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Peter Weir based the movie on two real-life incidents. The first involved two of Weir's friends, who suffered through a number of house-calls made by an incessantly talkative yet incompetent plumber. The second involved Weir himself riding in a cab in the late 1960s with a driver who appeared to be a hippie. When the pair began discussing the Vietnam war, the driver espoused numerous fascist and pro-war sentiments, concluding his diatribe by expressing a desire to see the entire nation of Vietnam destroyed with an atomic bomb. See more » |
| Goofs | In the last shot of the plumber playing his guitar, there is music but he isn't moving his hands. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in South Australian Film Corporation 20th Birthday Celebration (1993). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Sea of Tranquility See more » |
| Quotes |
Max:
It's what you *can't* see that counts in plumbing. Always remember that. See more » |