Orca (1977)

A hunter squares off against a killer whale seeking vengeance for the death of its mate.

Director:

Michael Anderson

Writers:

Luciano Vincenzoni (story and screenplay), Sergio Donati

Stars:

Richard Harris, Charlotte Rampling, Will Sampson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Harris	...	Captain Nolan
Charlotte Rampling	...	Rachel Bedford
Will Sampson	...	Jacob Umilak
Bo Derek	...	Annie
Keenan Wynn	...	Novak
Robert Carradine	...	Ken
Scott Walker	...	Al Swain
Peter Hooten	...	Paul
Wayne Heffley	...	Priest
Vincent Gentile	...	Gas Station Attendant
Don 'Red' Barry	...	Dock Worker

Storyline

After witnessing his mate and child's death from Nolan's hands, Orca, the killer whale, goes on a rampage in the fishermen's harbor. Under the villagers' pressure, Nolan, Rachel and an Indian sail after the great beast, who will bring them on his own turf.

---

Plot Keywords:

creature feature | grindhouse film | drive in classic | murder | blood | 

---

Taglines:

Orca - the killer whale, is one of the most intelligent creatures in the universe. Incredibly, he is the only animal other than man who kills for revenge. He has one mate, and if she is harmed by man, he will hunt down that person with a relentless, terrible vengeance - across seas, across time, across all obstacles.

---

Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Horror | Thriller

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Italy UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 July 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Killer Whale

Filming Locations:

Malta

Box Office

Gross USA:

$14,717,854

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,717,854

Company Credits

Production Co:

Famous Films (II), Dino De Laurentiis Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of a cycle of 1980s and late 1970s movies that got made after the box-office success Jaws (1975). The films include that movie's three sequels, Jaws 2 (1978), Jaws 3-D (1983), and Jaws: The Revenge (1987), as well as this movie, Piranha (1978), Tentacles (1977), Killer Fish (1979), Barracuda (1978), Tintorera: Killer Shark (1977), Blood Beach (1980), Piranha II: The Spawning (1981), The Last Shark (1981), Up from the Depths (1979), Humanoids from the Deep (1980), Screamers (1979), Devil Fish (1984), and Mako: The Jaws of Death (1976).

---

Goofs

Whales and dolphins don't breathe automatically like humans do. They sleep with half of their brain at a time because they need to come to the surface to breathe. If someone really tranquilized an orca like Nolan did with the needle in the harpoon, both halves of its brain would be asleep at the same time, and it would stop breathing and drown.

---

Quotes

Captain Nolan: If you're so sure I can't catch a killer whale, why are you so upset?
Rachel: Listen, you won't catch one, but you might butcher a couple dozen in the attempt!
Captain Nolan: Oh, that's not my style at all.

---

Alternate Versions

Network TV version had at least one additional scene where Nolan (Richard Harris) visits Annie (Bo Derek) at the hospital, after her leg was bitten off.

---

Connections

Referenced in Vulgar (2000)

---

Soundtracks

My Love, We Are One
Performed by Carol Connors
Music by Ennio Morricone
Lyrics by Carol Connors

User Reviews

Adventures and action about a confrontation between a hunter and a giant Orca

A fisherman and expert seaman (Richard Harris who was 46, performed his own stunts) along with his crew (Bo Derek, Peter Hooten, Keenan Wynn) kill with a harpoon a female pregnant Orca and her huge male mate swears revenge . Meanwhile , an Orcas-speciality scientist (Charlotte Rampling) and a native (Will Patton) warn him about the vengeance , but he reluctant listen them . The picture is developed in a Northern , cold shore community where the large Orca attacks on the tiny port (made with some maquettes or scale model) making a real wreak havoc and rampage . Then, the protagonists motived by profits determine to track down and kill it . The crew are forced to fight for their lives in a mortal struggle.

It's a good movie with a magnificent creation of suspense , terror , emotions , thriller , bone-chilling images and brief gore when the humans are serving for lunch ; besides , some creepy scenes about the abort female whale . The Orca whale was portrayed by an animatronic whale , filmed off the coasts of Malta and Newfoundland, and stock footage taken at Marine World in Redwood City, California . Intelligent writings by Luciano Vincenzone (also producer) and Sergio Donati (Sergio Leone'usual screenwriters) is allegedly based on truth events . The Orca attacks images deliver the tension along with exciting musical score by the great Ennio Morricone who heightens the suspense . Colorful cinematography by Ted Moore with excellent special effects by Alex Weldon . Although it results to be a ¨Jaws¨ exploitation is an agreeable movie with magnificent Richard Harris and Charlotte Ramplingb . The motion picture was well produced in high budget by Dino De Laurentis and finely directed by Michael Anderson . The picture will appeal to Richard Harris fans . Well seeing but during the attacks you will have on the hedge of your seat .