6.0/10
705
13 user 14 critic

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.

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(story), (story) | 2 more credits »
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1 nomination. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Ruben Castle
...
Harriet Purdue
...
Joe Hiatt
...
Ben Morgan
...
Steele
Marin Kanter ...
Mackenzie Castle
...
Mayor
...
Peck
...
Dr. Emmer
...
Burnside
Margery Bond ...
Judy Hiatt
Joseph G. Medalis ...
Lawyer
...
Chester
Alvin Crow ...
Deputy Wayne
Ned Dowd ...
Deputy Bobby
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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. Written by Unknown

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

What you don't know can kill you.


Certificate:

R | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

10 September 1982 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

A Morte Vem do Céu  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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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 (1965). See more »

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?
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Hangin' with Hoyt on the Set of 'Gremlins' (2014) See more »

Soundtracks

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

 
fair conspiracy theory movie
17 February 2015 | by See all my reviews

Ruben Castle (Robert Urich) is a rough alcoholic ex-NYC cop who quited under some suspicions. His delinquent daughter Mackenzie is released to him as they travel to Colorado. Mackenzie gets arrested for running into Harriet Purdue (JoBeth Williams). Harriet is the new sheriff in the small Colorado town. She's investigating suspicious cattle mutilation deaths. Ruben's friend Joe Hiatt (Paul Dooley) runs the local paper and has a conspiracy theory about the cattle. Cattle rancher Ben Morgan (Hoyt Axton) is the local big wig. There is a secret base out in an abandoned nuclear silo.

It take awhile before the movie settles down to its subject matter. Purdue should be much more of the lead character instead of Castle. That way the movie is solidly about the cattle mutilations. Instead it's too much about Castle's drinking and his failing father daughter relationship. The movie wants to hint at UFOs. The investigation feels like it's put on the backburner too much early on. The investigation has good spooky vibes at times and works well especially with the electronic music. The sound effects works well in opposition to the open space hinterland. The major drawback for me is that it never really explains everything to my satisfaction. It explains just enough for me to give it a pass.


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