Endangered Species (1982)

About a retired New York cop on Vacation in America's West who is drawn into a female sheriff's investigation of a mysterious series of cattle killings.

Director:

Alan Rudolph

Writers:

Judson Klinger (story), Richard Clayton Woods (story),

Stars:

Robert Urich, JoBeth Williams, Paul Dooley

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Urich	...	Ruben Castle
JoBeth Williams	...	Harriet Purdue
Paul Dooley	...	Joe Hiatt
Hoyt Axton	...	Ben Morgan
Peter Coyote	...	Steele
Marin Kanter	...	Mackenzie Castle
Gailard Sartain	...	Mayor
Dan Hedaya	...	Peck
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Dr. Emmer
John Considine	...	Burnside
Margery Bond	...	Judy Hiatt
Joseph G. Medalis	...	Lawyer
Patrick Houser	...	Chester
Alvin Crow	...	Deputy Wayne
Ned Dowd	...	Deputy Bobby

Storyline

Thriller about a New York ex-cop and an attractive female sheriff who fall in love while investigating a string of mysterious cattle mutilations in a small Colorado town. Urich is great as Reuben Castle, the retired alcoholic police lieutenant out visiting the town with his tomboy daughter. At first he tries to stay out of the case but finds himself involved after the mysterious death of his friend Joe Hiatt, the editor of the local paper whose theories about black helicopters have aroused the ire of cattle baron Ben Morgan. Trying miserably to stay sober, Castle finds himself back in danger and in love, as he and the sheriff work together to get to the bottom of the mystery, encountering incredible danger and resistance from the frightened locals.

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Plot Keywords:

sheriff | cattle | female sheriff | investigation | cattle mutilation | 

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Taglines:

What you don't know can kill you.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 September 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Morte Vem do Céu

Filming Locations:

Colorado, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alive Enterprises, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character Susan is played by Heather Menzies-Urich, co-star Robert Urich's off-screen wife. Menzies is best known as Louisa, one of the children in The Sound of Music.

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Quotes

Harriet Purdue: Fred, I showed you Ben Morgan's body. The man virtually *exploded*.
Mayor: What do you expect out of somebody who was thrown out of a damned pickup truck?

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Connections

Spoofed in Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude (2004)

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Soundtracks

"BOOZERS ARE LOOSERS"
Composed and Performed by Hoyt Axton
Courtesy of Jeremiah Records

User Reviews

Jon Liebling SHINES in this otherwise unremarkable film

Though this film is ultimately forgettable, the saving grace is a savory morsel in the form of a cameo appearance by Jon Craig Liebling. In his role as the steward in a scene featuring a commuter airplane, Liebling delivers another of his subtle - yet, scintillating - tour de force performances. His understated and nuanced interpretation of this complex character contributes a level of patois to the scene that is memorable long after the credits roll. If you haven't done so already, be sure to seek out Liebling's contributions to the Jill Clayburgh film, "I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can", as well. Once heralded as one of Hollywood's premier talents, Liebling (in both his acting and writing modes) was a dynamic presence who embodied a wide spectrum and depth of expertise that transcended his young age. From Clooney to Crowe, Ben Stiller to Jude Law, today's "A list" of Hollywood talent have all taken colors from Liebling's paintbox of cinematic artistry. When Liebling chose to leave California for a quiet, yet idyllic, life in Vermont, filmdom lost one of it's most treasured - yet inexplicably under-appreciated - players. Rumor has it, however, that Liebling now crafts short films for the exclusive enjoyment of friends and family. What lucky people they are, indeed!