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:

In war you have to kill to stay alive ... on the streets of New York, it's often the same.

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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

Steve James originally read for the small part of the bartender. But Glickenhaus was so impressed with his reading that he cast James in the part of Michael.

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Goofs

When John Eastman feeds the guy into the meat mincer the guy is fully clothed but the minced meat slopping onto the floor has no clothing remnants in it.

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Quotes

CIA Agent Shaw: This "Exterminator" is the most dangerous serial killer in the United States and he is in New York City! Now what do you think about all this?
Detective James Dalton: I think you need to take a shit. It's coming out of your mouth instead of your asshole.

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Connections

References Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1934)

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Soundtracks

"Heal It"
Written by Byron Hill and Mike Reid
Produced by Byron Hill
Sung by Roger Bowling

User Reviews

Solid And Gritty 80's "Vigilante" Film

THE EXTERMINATOR is a "fun" piece of 80's exploit-style cinema that is an enjoyable film all-around, for people who dig this sort of thing. Decent acting, a strong storyline, some "rough" violence, and the gritty early 80's New York City environments up the entertainment-value of this straight-faced B-entry...

John and Michael were in 'Nam together, where Michael saved Johns life from Charlie. Living back in New York after the war, John and Mike remain best-buddies and work at the same warehouse. One day, the two of them divert some robbers from the Ghetto Ghouls gang from rippin' off the warehouse, and the gang members don't take to kindly to bein' interrupted. The gang members find Michael walking home from work one day, jump him, and leave him paralyzed. John takes this pretty hard (to say the least...) and goes gunnin' for the Ghouls. After dispatching some of them, he decides the city needs some "cleaning up" - and goes on to attack a mob boss, a sleazy kiddie-prostitution ring leader and his chickenhawk client, and the remaining members of the Ghetto Ghouls. Meanwhile, a tough cop and the CIA is on the case of "The Exterminator", and are lookin' to bring him down...

This one is pretty action-packed right from the jump. The opening 'Nam scene sets the stage for what's to come as one of John's Army pals is beheaded graphically, in a scene that proves that with the right machete, you can take a head off like a knife through butter. Rather than being strictly a revenge/vigilante exploit film though, the character development is enough to really feel the bond between John and Michael, and makes it easy to root for John as he's blastin' his way through the city. Definitely worth a look to 80's U.S. exploit fans

• team this one up with VICE SQUAD for a double-feature night and

you'll be set...8.5/10