Watchers (1988)

Based on a novel by Dean Koontz. A boy takes in a stray dog, later finding out that its an ultra-intelligent runaway from a genetic research lab. Unknow to him, the dog is being stalked by ... See full summary »

Director:

Jon Hess

Writers:

Dean R. Koontz (based on the novel by), Bill Freed (screenplay),

Stars:

Michael Ironside, Christopher Cary, Graeme Campbell

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Ironside	...	Lem
Christopher Cary	...	TV Newscaster (as Christopher Carey)
Graeme Campbell	...	Man On Boat
Dan O'Dowd	...	First TV Reporter
Lala Sloatman	...	Tracey (as Lala)
Corey Haim	...	Travis
Dale Wilson	...	Bill Keeshan
Blu Mankuma	...	Cliff
Colleen Winton	...	Deputy Porter
Duncan Fraser	...	Sheriff Gaines
Barbara Williams	...	Nora
Lou Bollo	...	Man By Stream
Jason Priestley	...	Boy On Bike
Matt Hill	...	Boy On Bike
Andrew Markey	...	Boy On Bike

Storyline

Based on a novel by Dean Koontz. A boy takes in a stray dog, later finding out that its an ultra-intelligent runaway from a genetic research lab. Unknow to him, the dog is being stalked by another escaped creature thats not quite so friendly.

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Plot Keywords:

dog | stray dog | triple teen murder | small town sheriff | genetic engineering | 

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Taglines:

Secret experiment, Unstoppable monster, Deadly mistake...

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Genres:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 December 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Al borde del terror

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Gross:

$940,173 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Concorde Pictures, Centaur Films, Rose & Ruby Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 87 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Haggis wrote the original screenplay. By the time the movie was greenlighted, the Writer's Guild Strike hit and Haggis refused to do any further writing on the movie during the strike. Production was passed to Canadian producer Damien Lee who rewrote the script. Haggis read the script and took his name off it - taking credit instead as "Bill Freed", his WGA pseudonym, and insisted Damien Lee take credit for his work.

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Connections

Followed by Watchers III (1994)

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Soundtracks

"Dream Machine"
Performed by Mike Reno

User Reviews

Wonderful book - Horrible movie

I, too, have read the novel "Watchers" many times. It is a masterpiece of story-telling by Dean Koontz about how love transcends all boundaries - including that of species. Even the "monster" was given a soul that pierced the horror. By the end of the book you knew that animals think and feel and that a dog is more than just cute.

The movie "Watchers" offers no clue that anyone involved has even read this book. We need another teen slasher flick like we need another Linda Tripp. The dog could give acting lessons to the rest of the cast. Simply awful and I am embarrassed for Mr. Koontz.

However, two years later, it seems as if someone else thought that this novel deserved better. "Watchers II" - although unable to hold a candle to the book - at least came closer to the original storyline. Decidedly not Oscar material, "Watchers II" is, however, at least 47,000 times more watchable than it's predecessor.

Final words - read the book and open your heart.