Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978)

A group of scientists band together to save the world from mutated killer tomatoes.

Director:

John De Bello

Writers:

Costa Dillon, John De Bello

Stars:

David Miller, George Wilson, Sharon Taylor

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Miller	...	Mason Dixon
George Wilson	...	Jim Richardson
Sharon Taylor	...	Lois Fairchild
J. Stephen Peace	...	Lt. Wilbur Finletter (as Rock Peace)
Ernie Meyers	...	The President
Eric Christmas	...	Senator Polk
Ron Shapiro	...	Newspaper Editor
Al Sklar	...	Ted Swann
Jerrold Anderson	...	Major Mills (as Jerry Anderson)
Don Birch	...	Old Man
Tom Coleman	...	Singing Soldier
Art K. Koustik	...	FIA Director (as Art Koustik)
Jack Nolen	...	Senator McKinley
Paul Oya	...	Dr. Nokitofa
John Qualls	...	Captain

Storyline

After a wave of reports of mysterious attacks involving people and pets being eaten by the traditionally docile fruit, a special government task force is set up to investigate the violent fruit and put a stop to their murderous spree. Included in this crack team are a lieutenant who never goes anywhere without his parachute, an underwater expert who's never out of his scuba gear, and a master of disguise who conceals his appearance by dressing as a black Adolf Hitler.

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Plot Keywords:

based on short film | disaster | punctuation in title | exclamation point in title | monster | 

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Taglines:

You've never seen a film like it.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Horror | Musical | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene at the public water fountain was shot without a permit.

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Goofs

During Dixon's intervention with Richardson, shadows of a crew member are briefly visible on the end table.

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Quotes

Jim Richardson: Nobody is closer to power then the press secretary for the president. But it is never fully yours, it's dangling in front of you. Mocking your very existence. I WILL NOT BE MOCKED ANY LONGER!

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Crazy Credits

The crowd at the Stadium is credited as Every Screwball in San Diego county

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Alternate Versions

The director's cut features a mockumentary called "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! Director's Cut: A Masterpiece Restored" on the restoration and the making of the film.

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Connections

Spoofs Superman (1978)

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Soundtracks

Theme from 'Attack of the Killer Tomatoes'
Words and Music by John De Bello

User Reviews

It's hilarious moments are just enough to cover the dullness in between

Attack of the killer tomatoes is low-budget's answer to summer blockbuster Snakes on a Plane. Technically, it's the other way around, since AOTKT came first, but whatever. It's dumb, it has a small cult following, and you understand the plot when you read the title.

Tomatoes, you know, the kind in salads, attack people. This is shown in the movie, mostly as tomatoes being thrown at people with tomatoes on the ground everywhere. This continues for an entire movie, which might sound repetitive, but there's other side-tracks of the story as well, which more often than not are very funny.

The production values are non-existent but the filmmakers do their best to cover them up("I'm sorry, gentlemen, for the size of this room", the general says and then all the scientists climb over each other to get a seat) There are lots of silly plot points and many totally unnecessary, some funny and some not. Whenever it gets draggy, there's usually something really funny just in time. That's not bad.

If you need to have this told to you, then you will not like this movie, but I'll tell you anyway: Do NOT take this movie seriously. Enjoy the musical numbers, the stupid "Jaws"-like tomato attacks, the crazy characters, and all the other details that in then end makes AOTKT a fun experience.

Details

Official Sites:

KT Entertainment

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1978 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!

Filming Locations:

Qualcomm Stadium - 9449 Friars Road, San Diego, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$90,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Four Square Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min 90 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1