The Exterminator (1980)

A man's best friend is killed on the streets of New York. The man (Robert Ginty) then transforms into a violent killer, turning New York into a great war zone and Christopher George is the only one to stop him.

Director:

James Glickenhaus

Writer:

James Glickenhaus

Stars:

Christopher George, Samantha Eggar, Robert Ginty

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher George	...	Detective James Dalton
Samantha Eggar	...	Dr. Megan Stewart
Robert Ginty	...	John Eastland
Steve James	...	Michael Jefferson
Tony DiBenedetto	...	Chicken Pimp (as Toni Di Benedetto)
Dick Boccelli	...	Gino Pontivini
Patrick Farrelly	...	CIA Agent Shaw
Michele Harrell	...	Maria Jefferson
David Lipman	...	The State Senator from New Jersey
Cindy Wilks	...	Candy
Dennis Boutsikaris	...	Frankie
Roger Grimsby	...	Himself
Judy Licht	...	Herself
Stan Getz	...	Himself
George Cheung	...	Vietcong Leader (as George Lee Cheung)

Storyline

When John Eastland's best friend, Michael Jefferson, is mugged and left permanently crippled, he decides to do something about it. Jefferson had saved Eastland's life in Vietnam and now it's time for Eastland to get revenge for his friend. Using his old Army gear he sets out on a crusade to clean up the streets of New York using the name "The Exterminator."

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam | revenge | prostitution | burned alive | gang member | 

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Taglines:

If you're lying, I'll be back...

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

El exterminador

Filming Locations:

Indian Dunes, Ventura County, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Interstar

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min 104 min (director's cut) 101 min (original uncut)

Sound Mix:

Stereo (Dolby Stereo)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In order to achieve the gruesome beheading in the Vietnam scene, an entire animated body with graphic facial expressions was built.

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Goofs

At the very beginning, when Eastland's friend saves him from an imminent beheading, they fire on an enemy soldier standing at the water's edge. The man is blown backwards not by the impact of the bullet but from a clearly seen rigged see saw that throws him into the air.

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Quotes

Thug: The man was nothing but a nigger.

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Connections

References Heavenly Desire (1979)

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Soundtracks

"Theme for an American Hero"
Written and Sung by Chip Taylor

User Reviews

Brutal to the bone.

"The Exterminator" is a one hell of a vigilante thriller.This legendary flick obviously influenced by Micheal Winner's "Death Wish" has Robert Ginty as a Vietnam vet,whose friend is badly injured by street gangs.James Glickenhaus("Suicide Cult","The Soldier")creates an ultra gritty atmosphere of wonderfully seedy New York."The Exterminator" is extremely brutal:the double murder in the whorehouse really stands out-you can see a half naked fat guy getting shot in the kidney at point blank range with a pistol loaded with poison bullets.Grisly and unforgettable!Add also one of the most brutal decapitations ever captured to film and you have a winner.All in all,I'd strongly recommend this film to everyone interested in vigilante flicks-"The Exterminator" is surely an unforgettable experience.9 out of 10.