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IMDbPro

The Exterminator

  • 1980
  • R
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
6.1K
YOUR RATING
Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)
A man's best friend is killed on the streets of New York City. The man (Robert Ginty) then transforms into a violent killer, turning New York City into a great war zone, and Christopher George is the only one to stop him.
Play trailer1:25
1 Video
54 Photos
ActionCrimeDrama

A man's best friend is killed on the streets of New York City. The man (Robert Ginty) then transforms into a violent killer, turning New York City into a great war zone, and Christopher Geor... Read allA man's best friend is killed on the streets of New York City. The man (Robert Ginty) then transforms into a violent killer, turning New York City into a great war zone, and Christopher George is the only one to stop him.A man's best friend is killed on the streets of New York City. The man (Robert Ginty) then transforms into a violent killer, turning New York City into a great war zone, and Christopher George is the only one to stop him.

  • Director
    • James Glickenhaus
  • Writer
    • James Glickenhaus
  • Stars
    • Robert Ginty
    • Samantha Eggar
    • Christopher George
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    6.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James Glickenhaus
    • Writer
      • James Glickenhaus
    • Stars
      • Robert Ginty
      • Samantha Eggar
      • Christopher George
    • 113User reviews
    • 109Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:25
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos54

    1 sheet movie poster
    Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)
    Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)
    Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)
    Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)
    Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)
    Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)
    Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)
    Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)
    Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)
    Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)
    The Exterminator (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Ginty
    Robert Ginty
    • John Eastland
    Samantha Eggar
    Samantha Eggar
    • Dr. Megan Stewart
    Christopher George
    Christopher George
    • Detective James Dalton
    Steve James
    Steve James
    • Michael Jefferson
    Tony DiBenedetto
    • Chicken Pimp
    • (as Toni Di Benedetto)
    Dick Boccelli
    • Gino Pontivini
    Patrick Farrelly
    • CIA Agent Shaw
    Michele Harrell
    • Maria Jefferson
    David Lipman
    David Lipman
    • The State Senator from New Jersey
    Cindy Wilks
    • Candy
    Dennis Boutsikaris
    Dennis Boutsikaris
    • Frankie
    Roger Grimsby
    Roger Grimsby
    • Roger Grimsby
    Judy Licht
    • Judy Licht
    Stan Getz
    Stan Getz
    • Self - Saxophone
    George Cheung
    George Cheung
    • Vietcong Leader
    • (as George Lee Cheung)
    Phil Chong
    • Vietcong Garrottee
    Bill Saito
    • Vietcong AK-47
    Kenny Endoso
    • Vietcong Fire Gag
    • Director
      • James Glickenhaus
    • Writer
      • James Glickenhaus
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Vietnam sequence cost $400,000 to film, which was 20% of the movie's budget of $2 million.
    • Goofs
      When John Eastman feeds the guy into the meat mincer the guy is fully clothed but the minced meat slopping onto the floor has no clothing remnants in it.
    • Quotes

      John Eastland: If you're lying, I'll be back.

    • Crazy credits
      "The producer" is credited as burping ghoul
    • Alternate versions
      The original UK cinema release was cut by 44 seconds with edits to the decapitation scene, the stabbing of Michael and a scene where a prostitute is tortured with a soldering iron. Video versions were cut by 3m 38 secs with further cuts to the cinema edits, and additional cuts to slow-motion footage of Vietnam killing scenes and the removal of an entire sequence where John makes mercury-filled dum-dum bullets. The Synergy DVD released in the UK in 2000 was treated much more leniently and was cut by only 22s, with the opening beheading and the prostitute's torture still edited. The film was finally passed completely uncut in the UK by the BBFC in 2004, since the offending scenes were no longer judged to be harmful by 2004 standards.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Hopscotch/It's My Turn/Loving Couples/The Elephant Man/Motel Hell (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      Heal It
      Written by Byron Hill and Mike Reid

      Produced by Byron Hill

      Sung by Roger Bowling

    User reviews113

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    A brutal 1980s Semi-Grindhouse Revenge Flick
    "The Exterminator" is a film that has many flaws but also has high entertainment value, The Story is nothing new, the characters are only half developed, and the film was made on a low budget, however it has a certain charm to it that makes it an entertaining watch.

    The Plot of the film involves A Vietnam vet named John Eastland (Played by Robert Ginty, RIP) Taking the Name of "THE EXTERMINATOR" and Going out onto the streets of New York to hunt and kill a bunch of thugs that killed his best friend, and in the process try to rid new york entirely of crime. A policeman played by (Christopher George RIP) is out to catch him, but unknown to both of them the CIA is also after THE EXTERMINATOR its just a matter of time who will get to Him first.

    Like i said the Plot isn't that Original, and the subplot involving the CIA is hugely Underdeveloped, and like i mentioned the characters are half developed, in other words they are only half interesting, but the sole Savior of this film is the violence and gritty atmosphere in which the Director James Glickenhaus Creates, the violence in this film is Raw and nasty and the Villains are extremely Despicable and when they get whats coming to them it Effectively pays off, The Film is what it is, an Exploitation film and a good one at that, in fact it has some truly powerful scenes as well as some emotional ones and if you see the film you'll know what I'm talking about.

    OVERALL (6/10): "The Exterminator" is a Film to be viewed with caution, as it is very Depressing and Brutally Violent, But it does have its moments of being effective, and the violence is not Over the top in gore, its nasty and disgusting, I would say its on the level of TAXI DRIVER's violence, For general film goers I would probably say Skip this film but for fans of revenge movies and exploitation films I would suggest checking out this fairly controversial flick.
    helpful•4
    1
    • emran222
    • Jul 21, 2011

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    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the R-Rated and Unrated Version? What about the British Versions of the movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 19, 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Exterminator
    • Filming locations
      • Indian Dunes - 28700 Henry Mayo Drive, Valencia, California, USA(Vietnam sequence)
    • Production companies
      • Interstar
      • Interstar
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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