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The Terminator
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The Terminator (1984) More at IMDbPro »

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The Terminator -- A human-looking, apparently unstoppable cyborg is sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor; Kyle Reese is sent to stop it.

Overview

User Rating:
Top 250: #171  (login to vote)
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Down 9% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
James Cameron
Writers:
James Cameron (written by) and
Gale Anne Hurd (written by) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Terminator on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 October 1984 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Action | Sci-Fi See more »
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' See more »
Plot:
A robotic assassin from a post-apocalyptic future travels back in time to eliminate a waitress, whose son will grow up and lead humanity in a war against machines. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
5 wins & 6 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(3182 articles)
Arnie caught grabbing ex wife's butt on camera
 (From RealBollywood. 22 May 2013, 4:35 AM, PDT)
Be Back for ‘The Last Stand’ Drinking Game
 (From FilmSchoolRejects. 21 May 2013, 7:30 AM, PDT)
Cinema’s Greatest Villains: The 1970′s
 (From SoundOnSight. 19 May 2013, 4:43 PM, PDT)
User Reviews:
Arnie is cool as the bad guy, in this classic 80's action film! See more (571 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Arnold Schwarzenegger ... Terminator

Michael Biehn ... Kyle Reese

Linda Hamilton ... Sarah Connor

Paul Winfield ... Lieutenant Ed Traxler

Lance Henriksen ... Detective Hal Vukovich

Rick Rossovich ... Matt Buchanan

Bess Motta ... Ginger Ventura

Earl Boen ... Dr. Peter Silberman

Dick Miller ... Pawn Shop Clerk
Shawn Schepps ... Nancy
Bruce M. Kerner ... Desk Sergeant

Franco Columbu ... Future Terminator

Bill Paxton ... Punk Leader
Brad Rearden ... Punk

Brian Thompson ... Punk
William Wisher Jr. ... Policeman
Ken Fritz ... Policeman
Tom Oberhaus ... Policeman
Ed Dogans ... Cop in Alley

Joe Farago ... TV Anchorman
Hettie Lynne Hurtes ... TV Anchorwoman
Tony Mirelez ... Station Attendant
Philip Gordon ... Mexican Boy (long shots)
Anthony Trujillo ... Mexican Boy (close-ups) (as Anthony T. Trujillo)
Stan Yale ... Derelict
Al Kahn ... Customer
Leslie Morris ... Customer
Hugh Farrington ... Customer
Harriet Medin ... Customer
Loree Frazier ... Customer
James Ralston ... Customer
Norman Friedman ... Cleaning Man (as Norma Friedman)
Barbara Powers ... Ticket Taker
Wayne Stone ... Tanker Driver
David Pierce ... Tanker Partner
John E. Bristol ... Phone Booth Man

Webster Williams ... Reporter
Patrick Pinney ... Bar Customer
Bill W. Richmond ... Bartender
Chino 'Fats' Williams ... Truck Driver

Greg Robbins ... Motel Customer (as Gregory Robbins)

Marianne Muellerleile ... Wrong Sarah
John Durban ... Sentry
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

J. Randolph Harrison ... Policeman (uncredited)

Darrell Mapson ... Bar Patron at Pay Phone with Sarah (uncredited)

John Stuart West ... MacDougal (uncredited)
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Directed by
James Cameron 
 
Writing credits
James Cameron (written by) and
Gale Anne Hurd (written by)

William Wisher Jr. (additional dialogue)

Produced by
John Daly .... executive producer
Derek Gibson .... executive producer
Gale Anne Hurd .... producer
 
Original Music by
Brad Fiedel 
 
Cinematography by
Adam Greenberg (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Mark Goldblatt 
 
Casting by
Stanzi Stokes 
 
Art Direction by
George Costello 
 
Set Decoration by
Maria Caso  (as Maria Rebman Caso)
 
Costume Design by
Hilary Wright 
 
Makeup Department
Jeff Dawn .... makeup department head (as Jefferson Dawn)
Kyle Sweet .... hair stylist: second unit (as Kyle Tucy)
Kyle Sweet .... makeup artist: second unit (as Kyle Tucy)
Peter Tothpal .... hair stylist
Melissa Street .... assistant makeup artist (uncredited)
Brian Wade .... special makeup effects artist: Stan Winston Studios (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Bruce M. Kerner .... executive in charge of production
Donna Smith .... post-production supervisor
Donna Smith .... production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Thomas A. Irvine .... additional first assistant director (as Thomas Irvine)
Betsy Magruder .... first assistant director
Jean-Paul Ouellette .... second unit director: action
Robert Roda .... second assistant director
 
Art Department
Shay Austin .... assistant art director
John S. Curran .... construction supervisor (as John Curran)
Tommy Estridge .... property master
Mark Freedman .... carpenter
Kerry Jennings .... assistant property master
Amy McGary .... scenic artist
Kristen McGary .... scenic artist
Kurt Meisenbach .... art assistant
Jewel Myrow .... art assistant
Joe Rainey .... assistant to the art director
Cynthia C. Rebman .... set dresser (as Cindy Rebman)
David Reece .... carpenter
Stephen Reece .... carpenter
Stephen Rinehart .... art assistant
Jennie Ryan .... art assistant
Gary Schoeneck .... lead man
Linda Schoeneck .... art assistant
Gregory R. Wolf .... set dresser (as Greg Wolf)
Christopher Gilman .... property maker (uncredited)
Jay Koiwai .... painter (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Elizabeth Barnard .... assistant sound editor
Ken Brocious .... boom operator (as Kenneth Brocious)
David Campling .... supervising sound editor
Gordon Daniel .... foley artist
Greg Dillon .... sound effects editor
James Fritch .... sound effects editor (as Jim Fritch)
Robert Garrett .... synthesized sound effects
David J. Hudson .... sound re-recording mixer
James J. Klinger .... sound effects editor (as Jim Klinger)
Mike Le Mare .... sound effects editor (as Mike Le-Mare)
Richard Lightstone .... production sound mixer
Horace Manzanares .... sound effects editor
Gilbert D. Marchant .... sound effects editor (as Gil Marchant)
Mel Metcalfe .... sound re-recording mixer
Rob Miller .... sound effects editor
Terry Porter .... sound re-recording mixer
John Post .... foley artist
Gary Shepherd .... sound effects editor
Karola Storr .... sound effects editor
Gabriel Cubos .... sound utility (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Jack Bricker .... terminator special effects
Ellis Burman Jr. .... terminator mechanical effects
Frank DeMarco .... special effects
Ernest D. Farino .... special effects coordinator
Roger George .... special effects
Richard J. Landon .... terminator special effects (as Richard Landon)
Ron Macinnes .... terminator mechanical effects assistant
Shane Mahan .... terminator special effects
David B. Miller .... terminator special effects (as David Miller)
John Rosengrant .... terminator special effects
Brian Wade .... terminator special effects
Bob Williams .... terminator mechanical effects
Stan Winston .... special terminator effects creator
Tom Woodruff Jr. .... terminator special effects (as Tom Woodruff)
Roger Kelton .... special effects technician (uncredited)
R. Bruce Steinheimer .... special effects technician (uncredited)
 
Visual Effects by
Doug Beswick .... stop motion terminator model: Fantasy II Film Effects
Don Bland .... production assistant: Fantasy II Film Effects
Steven Fagerquist .... technical assistant: process photography
Ernest D. Farino .... graphic animation effects
Phil Huff .... optical effects: Image 3
John Huneck .... camera operator: Fantasy II Film Effects
Leslie Huntley .... production supervisor: Fantasy II Film Effects
Michael Joyce .... model shop supervisor: Fantasy II Film Effects
Paul Kassler .... model maker: Fantasy II Film Effects
Pete Kleinow .... terminator stop motion: Fantasy II Film Effects (as Peter Kleinow)
Laurel Klick .... optical effects: Image 3
Ken Marschall .... matte artist: Fantasy II Film Effects
Gerald McClain .... rear screen projectionist: process photography
Austin McKinney .... cinematographer: process photography
Jane A. Pahlman .... production assistant: Fantasy II Film Effects
Eric Peterson .... camera assistant: process photography
Gary Rhodaback .... model maker: Fantasy II Film Effects
Mark Sawicki .... special optical consultant: Fantasy II Film Effects
Joe Viskocil .... pyrotechnics and fire effects: Fantasy II Film Effects (as Joseph Viskocil)
Gene Warren Jr. .... special effects supervisor: Fantasy II Film Effects
Kris Brown .... visual effects engineer (uncredited)
Sam Longoria .... stop-motion electronics (uncredited)
Bret Mixon .... animation assistant (uncredited)
Ted Rae .... stop motion terminator model: Fantasy II Film Effects (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Anthony Cecere .... stunts
Jeffrey J. Dashnaw .... stunts (as Jeff Dashnow)
Diamond Farnsworth .... stunts (as Hill Farnsworth)
J. Suzanne Fish .... stunts
Ken Fritz .... stunt coordinator
Ken Fritz .... stunt coordinator: second unit
Ken Fritz .... stunt double: Michael Biehn
Marian Green .... stunts (as Marion Green)
Tom Hart .... stunts
Gene Hartline .... stunts
Jean Malahni .... stunts
Gary McLarty .... stunts
Frank Orsatti .... stunts
Jim Stern .... stunts
Pete Turner .... stunts (as Peter Turner)
Cynthia Brannon .... stunts (uncredited)
Jeff Habberstad .... stunt performer (uncredited)
Monty Jordan .... stunt driver (uncredited)
Peter Kent .... stunt double: Arnold Schwarzenegger (uncredited)
Rob King .... stunts (uncredited)
Jean Malahni .... stunt double: Linda Hamilton (uncredited)
Lee Waddell .... utility stunts (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Bernard Auroux .... focus puller
Dennis Bishop .... gaffer
Bruce Byall .... grip
Anne S. Coffey .... camera operator: insert photography (as Anne Coffey)
Chuck Colwell .... director of photography: second unit
Mario Davis .... grip and equipment: second unit
Mark Ellensohn .... best boy
Alec Hirschfeld .... additional camera operator
Sean McLin .... camera operator: second unit
David Michels .... dolly grip
Mark Morton .... electrician
Tim Morton .... best boy electric
Elliot Nachbar .... grip
Mark Peterson .... electrician
Vance Piper .... camera assistant
Joyce Rudolph .... still photographer
Roger Schweitzer .... video playback operator
Dylan Shephard .... key grip
Gary Wagner .... camera assistant: insert photography
Rick A. West .... electrician (as Rick West)
Tim Collins .... grip (uncredited)
Donald G. Jackson .... additional cinematographer (uncredited)
John Janusek .... grip (uncredited)
Kyle T. MacDowell .... electrician (uncredited)
Tracy Neftzger .... grip (uncredited)
Barry Seybert .... electrician (uncredited)
Mark A. Shelton .... electrician (uncredited)
Philip Sloan .... best boy grip (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Greg Robbins .... extras casting coordinator (as Gregory Robbins)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Deborah Everton .... costume supervisor
Julia Gombert .... costumer: second unit
Virginia Hartman .... costume production assistant
 
Editorial Department
Lorna Anderson .... first assistant editor
Michael Bloecher .... associate editor
Spike Allison Hooper .... assistant editor
Mary Nelson-Duerrstein .... negative cutter (as Mary Nelson)
Peter Silverman .... color consultant
 
Music Department
Budd Carr .... music consultant
Robert Randles .... music post-production coordinator
Emilie Robertson .... music editor
 
Transportation Department
Wayne Nelson .... transportation captain
Wayne Stone .... transportation coordinator
 
Other crew
Polly Apostolof .... assistant to producer
Jo Barnett .... assistant production accountant
Terry Benedict .... production assistant: second unit
Kathy Breen .... production coordinator
Ernest D. Farino .... title designer
J. Randolph Harrison .... assistant to producer (as Randy Harrison)
J. Randolph Harrison .... assistant to producer
Deborah Hebert .... set production assistant (as Deborah A. Hebert)
Scott Javine .... production assistant
Sharon Kirkpatrick .... script supervisor: second unit
Joseph A. Liuzzi .... location manager
Andy Marx .... publicist (as Andrew Marx)
Pattison Newberry .... first aid
George Parra .... set production assistant
Kevin E. Patterson .... utility man (as Kevin Patterson)
Eric Rasmussen .... craft service
Michael Thomas Slifkin .... talent coordinator
Lisa Sonne .... assistant to producer (as T. Elizabeth Sonne)
Anne St. Johns .... assistant production coordinator
Marilyn Tasso .... production accountant
Brenda Weisman .... script supervisor
Frans J. Afman .... financial services (uncredited)
Lisa S. Girolami .... extras wrangler (uncredited)
 
Thanks
Harlan Ellison .... acknowledgment to the works of
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributorsSpecial EffectsOther Companies
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
"Terminator" - Japan (English title)
See more »
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
107 min
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English | Spanish
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono | Dolby
Certification:
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 (No. 27336) | West Germany:16 (cut) (198?-2010) | West Germany:18 (uncut version) (SPIO/JK) (198?-2010) | Netherlands:16 | Finland:K-18 (cut) (1984) (1991) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Italy:T (re-rating) (1991) | Italy:VM14 (original rating) (1984) | Finland:K-15 (uncut) (2005) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1991) | Finland:K-16 (uncut) (1996) | Iceland:16 | South Korea:18 | Ireland:15 (re-rating) (2007) | UK:15 (re-rating) (2001) | 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) | Germany:16 (re-rating) (2010) | Portugal:M/16
Filming Locations:
185 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California, USASee more »
Company:
Hemdale FilmSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
Randy Quaid was considered for the lead role.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: After the Terminator finishes operating on himself and puts on the sunglasses, he only has a shirt on, but when he walks towards his bed to get the guns from underneath the mattress, he is suddenly wearing a leather jacket.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
[the garbage truck's engine stops]
Truck Driver:What the hell? Goddamn son of a bitch...
See more »
Movie Connections:
Featured in "The Cinema Snob: Ninja Terminator (#4.8)" (2012)See more »
Soundtrack:
Burnin' In The Third DegreeSee more »

FAQ

How is the terminator able to go back in time via the time displacement machine if it only allows living organisms?
Why does the Terminator go to Sarah's mother's cabin before checking her house first?
How is it possible that (future) John Connor was able to send Reese back in time to prevent his mother's death and become his father?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
72 out of 85 people found the following review useful.
Arnie is cool as the bad guy, in this classic 80's action film!, 10 February 2002
Author: Old Joe from Hamilton, Australia

It was funny to read that this film nearly avoided coming to our screens. With many number of studios rejecting the script and story, Terminator was nearly terminated before getting of the ground. However, one company, ORION pictures, the last resort for this movie, loved the premise of a robot running around as a man, trying to kill the mother of the savior of planet earth. Thank goodness they saw that it was a good script, because it become one of the great films of the 1980's.

In 2029, giant super computers dominate the planet, hell bent on exterminating the human race! And to destroy man's future by changing the past they send an indestructible cyborg – a terminator – back in time to kill Sarah Connor, the woman who's unborn son will become mankind's only hope. Can Sarah protect herself from this unstoppable menace to save the life of her unborn child? Or will the human race be extinguished by one mean hunk of mutant metal?

Well this film is a real blast. The cast is extraordinary. This is probably Arnold Schwarzenegger's most popular role. I cannot see why it isn't. He was great as the Cyborg that was walking around, as a killing machine. His facial expressions are sketched in my memory for life. I love the scene where see a close of his face in the police car, it was brilliant. Schwarzenegger, originally a body builder, he has had a wonderful career in the movie industry. His other great films include Predator, End Of Days, Total Recall, Eraser and was impressive in his role as Mr. Freeze in Batman and Robin. His career was on hold for sometime a while back, due to injury, but he is back and I hope we get to see more of his acting talents.

Then you have the others in the cast. The other stand out in this film for me is Linda Hamilton. She was suited perfectly to the role of the feeble Sarah Connor, who is going to be the mother of the child who is going to save the world. Hamilton has had a mixed career, with her filmography including the enjoyable Dante's Peak. The good guy in Terminator was Michael Biehn, who played out the role of Sarah Connor's protector, Reese Kyle. He was very good in his role. His other movies include Aliens, The Rock, Crash and an uncredited role in the great musical, Grease.

The director of Terminator, namely James Cameron, did a great job with this film. Considering he thought up the idea from a sick bed, had it rejected that many times, it is a great credit to him. Most directors would have given up on it, but he stuck with it till he got to our screens. Thank goodness he did. The story of the Terminator is an interesting one. It has a very biblical feel to it. One man sent to help save the world, with the initials J.C., fascinated me immensely. Cameron and Co writer Gale Anne Hurd did a fantastic script for this film.

There are some unbelievable scenes in this movie. None more so then the vision we see of the metal Cyborg walking from the truck fire. The vision we see from this scene is one of the main reasons why we have the Terminator. James Cameron explained that he wanted a scene in a movie that has a machine walking from a fire in menacing fashion. He got this spot on, if you ask me. Then there are some other great scenes such as the tense stand offs that the evil cyborg has with all the humans he comes into contact with, including the first confrontation with Sarah, in addition to the meeting he has with Reese. I also enjoyed the scene where he goes through the police station. Of course this scene has one of Hollywood's most famous lines in it, that of Arnie's 'I'll be back', a classic. The final confrontation between Sarah and the Cyborg is another tension filled scene of this great movie.

So, what more can I say about this movie? It is simply brilliant. I have asked many people their opinion on this film. One such response about it was, that is too 'eightish', and that comment is fair enough. If you have the chance, grab a copy of Terminator on DVD, as it is a great 2 disc set. I must admit the first time I saw it, I did not appreciate Terminator like I do now. Perhaps I found it a tad violent, but that is to be expected of a film that is called Terminator. This movie was a great success and deserved to be with all the great work that was put into it. However more was to come, a film that was to become one of the greatest sequels in movie history. Arnie was to deliver on his promise of 'I'll be back'!

Rating: 4.5 stars or 9/10

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Terminator (1984)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Terminator and Aliens poserpro
So how many timelines exist overall? Dodgemaguire
Kyle driving like a maniac after losing the terminator at Tech-Noir? alexjx
Delete your post Terminator style!! gl_76
What if he won? rbf08
Anyone else's favorite change from T2 to T1 in time? GelmirPalantir
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