Nightkill (1980)

Director:

Ted Post

Writers:

Joan Andre (writer)
John Case (writer)

Release Date:

18 December 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Crime | Mystery

Tagline:

Your throat dries, heart pounds, flesh crawls and you panic...that is the fear of...

Plot:

The wife of a wealthy industrialist finds herself caught-up in a web of intrigue & murder which was created by her own deceit...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Stranger | Killing | Steam | Rich

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Robert Mitchum	...	Donner
Jaclyn Smith	...	Katherine Atwell
James Franciscus	...	Steve Fuller
Mike Connors	...	Wendell Atwell
Fritz Weaver	...	Herbert Childs
Sybil Danning	...	Monika Childs
Tina Menard	...	Consuela
Belinda Mayne	...	Christine
Angus Scrimm	...	Desert rat (scenes deleted)
Michael Anderson Jr.	...	Lt. Donner
Melanie MacQueen	...	Alice
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Paty Lombard

Also Known As:

Night Kill (Europe: English title) (video title)

Runtime:

Norway:104 min | USA:97 min

Country:

West Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Germany:18 (video rating) (uncut) | UK:18 | Australia:M | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Arizona, USA

Company:

Cine Artist Film GmbH

Trivia:

Originally intended for theatrical release in January of 1981, the film was sold directly to television, where it premiered on 18 December 1980.

Latter terrifying childhood memories.

From some of the first terrifying television, I got to view, since I didn't get to enjoy many shows like "Night Gallery" hosted by awesome Rod Serling and others because I was too young.

Until the latter nineteen seventies. This is when I started in on 'thrillers'.

But as this was for me a differing effect, for one thing I was in 'crush-ville' for Mrs. Smith and so that complicated my feelings for the movie and drew me further in.

I know that some have said that they think of the acting, with these characters as not up to par. Some have said that, I think that this was pretty to view and get into, as stories go.

I watched her go through a hard time and watched it grow increasingly more twisted. She had me on the edge of my seat and miles away from my comfort zone. But the movie was a semi-complicated and involved plot for the average viewer, I think. Plus, with betrayal from Lt. Donner (Michael Anderson Jr.), who is supposed to be at least an honorable man and naturally you would believe justice would come from his involvement. I remember very well the part with which he deceives her, right in front of her with a telephone call. He 'acts' as if he is calling to help Jacklyn's character and there is no-one on the other end of the line, unbeknown to her. I remember the hair on my neck standing up as he was just finishing with the phone call, as he hung up with that 'mono-tone' 'killer' look in his eyes.

Very chilling for me, considering that it was over twenty five years ago. And sometimes things (Movies) don't always age well. Some, age very well, but not all of course.

I am looking for this movie on DVD.

I recommend it, but watch it late or in the dark without distraction from front to back.

It does deliver classic actor/actress suspense and hair raising excitement. Not everyone may agree, but judge for yourself.(****)