IMDb > The Terminator (1984)
The Terminator
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Terminator (1984) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 53 | slideshow) Videos (see all 7)
The Terminator (1984) -- A human-looking, apparently unstoppable cyborg is sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor; Kyle Reese is sent to stop it.
The Terminator (1984) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 12% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
James Cameron (written by) &
Gale Anne Hurd (written by) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Terminator on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 October 1984 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
In the Year of Darkness, 2029, the rulers of this planet devised the ultimate plan. They would reshape the Future by changing the Past. The plan required something that felt no pity. No pain. No fear. Something unstoppable. They created 'THE TERMINATOR' more
Plot:
A human-looking, apparently unstoppable cyborg is sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor; Kyle Reese is sent to stop it. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
5 wins & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(815 articles)
News: Don't Blink - The Weeping Angels Are Back!
 (From Kasterborous. 15 December 2009, 11:26 PM, PST)

Avatar Review
 (From Reel Loop. 15 December 2009, 5:39 PM, PST)

User Comments:
It's about transformation more (509 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Terminator (USA) (trailer title)
more
Runtime:
108 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Finland:K-18 (cut) (1984) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Italy:T (re-rating) (1991) | Italy:VM14 (original rating) (1984) | Finland:K-15 (uncut DVD version) | Finland:K-16 (1996) (uncut) | Finland:K-16 (1991) (cut) | Finland:K-18 (1991) (cut) | Iceland:16 | South Korea:18 | UK:15 (re-rating) (2001) | Ireland:15 (re-rating) (2007) | Ireland:18 (1985-2006) | UK:18 (1985-2000) | Brazil:14 | New Zealand:M | Malaysia:U | Chile:14 (DVD re-rating) | Australia:MA (Definitive Edition DVD) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Alberta) (re-rating) (1999) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (2001) | France:U | Japan:R-15 | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | Poland:15 | Singapore:M18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 (cut) | West Germany:18 (uncut version) (JK/SPIO) | Netherlands:16 | Germany:BPjM Restricted
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The "screaming" sound at the end of the movie is Brad Fiedel and friends screaming in a microphone and Fiedel playing synth over it. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When the Terminator comes through the window after the police chase, he turns on a light to reveal his damaged right eye. However, when he sits down to fix his arm, which is also damaged, his damaged eye is his left one, and it remains this way during the rest of the movie. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
[the garbage truck's engine stops]
Truck Driver: What the hell? Goddamn son of a bitch...
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Stagknight (2007) more
Soundtrack:
Intimacy more

FAQ

Who, or what, is Skynet?
Where can I find the club (Technoir) Sarah Connor hid out in?
Who, or what, is the Terminator?
more
128 out of 170 people found the following comment useful.
It's about transformation, 4 March 2000
9/10
Author: catalyst-7 from Redmond, Washington USA

I just saw a horrifying, touching, very good movie again; it's The Terminator. Now to talk of it as great film, to compare it with American Beauty might seem idiotic--it's an almost unrelentingly dark, violent, frightening action movie, after all--but strip away the relentless action, strip away the technophobia, strip away the blatant dislike of cops and modern youth, strip away the poignant love story and, at its core, it's about an immature, essentially mindless girl becoming a strong, determined woman. That's a theme more movies should have if we want girls to have strong role models.

In the course of a few hours during which Sarah Connor realises that she is running for her life from a soul-less machine in human flesh that is implacably and violently determined to kill her, she transforms from a girl who can't balance her cheque book to a woman who can order a wounded, beaten man to "get on your feet, soldier." She is clear-headed, not panicky, focused in crisis and incredibly courageous. And it's not that she has lost her essential femaleness but that she's grown up.

It's relentless, heartless violence appals and fascinates me. It's gritty depiction of our society as a prelude to an even more horrific one in 2023 darkens my heart. It's quickly developing love story touches me. Its humor makes the dark places in me smile. But most of all I am touched and fascinated by Sarah's precipitous transformation. As a good life exercise, ask yourself this: Would you have the courage to do what she does?

9.5 out of 10.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (509 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Terminator (1984)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
In which ways is this better than T Salvation? moatilliata_tinnitus
Most epic opening credits ever. elidirkx
the one thing i don't get yabssor_cult_eternal
Terminator flashback question... awsskate16
Terminator 1 vs Terminator 2 bs406
Harlan Ellison vs Cameron terminatorguide
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Terminator 2: Judgment Day Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Terminator Salvation Akira The Matrix Reloaded
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Action section
IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.