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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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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.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the mid-1970s, executive producer Dino De Laurentiis considered a sequel to King Kong (1976) that may have had him go head-to-head with this, his own other animal monster movie. The sequel, King Kong Lives (1986), did not eventuate until the mid 1980s, though.

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Goofs

When Nolan yells for the ship to go hard to port, he points to his right, which would be starboard.

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Quotes

Rachel: He deliberately left you your boat because he wants to fight you alone on the sea.

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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.

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Connections

Featured in Blackfish (2013)

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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 .

Details

Country:

USA Netherlands Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 July 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Killer Whale

Filming Locations:

Shallow Tank, Mediterranean Film Studios, Kalkara, 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