A scientist trains a man with an advanced telepathic ability called "scanning", to stop a dangerous Scanner with extraordinary psychic powers from waging war against non scanners.A scientist trains a man with an advanced telepathic ability called "scanning", to stop a dangerous Scanner with extraordinary psychic powers from waging war against non scanners.A scientist trains a man with an advanced telepathic ability called "scanning", to stop a dangerous Scanner with extraordinary psychic powers from waging war against non scanners.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 9 nominations
Videos2
Robert A. Silverman
- Benjamin Pierceas Benjamin Pierce
- (as Robert Silverman)
Murray Cruchley
- Programmer 1as Programmer 1
- (as Lee Murray)
Géza Kovács
- Killer in Record Storeas Killer in Record Store
- (as Geza Kovacs)
Sonny Forbes
- Killer in Atticas Killer in Attic
- (as Sony Forbes)
Jérôme Tiberghien
- Killer in Atticas Killer in Attic
- (as Jerome Tiberghien)
Victor Désy
- Dr. Gatineauas Dr. Gatineau
- (as Victor Desy)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
Darryl Revok is the most powerful of all the scanners, and is the head of the underground scanner movement for world domination. Scanners have great psychic power, strong enough to control minds; they can inflict enormous pain/damage on their victims. Doctor Paul Ruth finds a scanner that Revok hasn't, and converts him to their cause - to destroy the underground movement. —Paul Reynolds <pauljr@innotts.co.uk>
- Taglines
- There are 4 billion people on earth. 237 are Scanners. They have the most terrifying powers ever created... and they are winning.
- Genres
- Certificate
- R
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaThe crash scene in the record store prominently features a float hanging from the ceiling for the RSO (Robert Stigwood Organization) record label, who paid for this placement. By the time the film was released, RSO had gone out of business.
- GoofsAfter the famous "exploding head" scene, there wasn't a drop of blood on Revok or the table.
- Quotes
Benjamin Pierce: My art... keeps me sane.
[gestures at plaster head]
Benjamin Pierce: Art.
[taps his temples]
Benjamin Pierce: Sane.
- Crazy creditsAs the credits end, the words "Max Security Self Destruct Seconds 1" flash on the screen, then the screen flashes green, as if someone shut the monitor off.
- Alternate versionsThe death of the first scanner ('Victor Del Grande' ) was filmed in two different ways: the theatrical release has Revok (Michael Ironside) causing his head to explode; an alternate take, featured in television versions, shows him dying of a grotesque heart attack instead. The Sci-Fi Network has shown the scene intact.
- ConnectionsEdited into 365 Days, also Known as a Year (2019)
Top review
David Cronenberg's Scanners!
Scanners (1981) was another one of David Cronenberg's "body in revolt" films. This one deals with people that have telepathic and telekinetic abilities. Not your average horror film because it's quite heady. That's what I like about Cronenberg, not only does he make great psychological horror/thrillers but he makes you think. Nothing is spoon feed to you. The splatter effects have given this movie it's much deserved place in one of the best horror set pieces ever made. Two scenes stand out the most. After watching this film you'll understand why gore hounds love this movie.
The only part of this movie that I would have changed would have been the lead. Mr. Lack was okay but I felt that Cronenberg could have found an actor with more experience. Michael Ironside was chilling, ice ran through his veins. This movie made his career as a movie heavy. Jennifer O'Neill was nice to look at and fit in well. A strong storyline and good directing made this one a must see.
I was very impressed with this movie. The soundtrack was apt for the movie.
I haven't watch this film in awhile. But after seeing it on D.V.D. recently, I'm still a big fan of Scanners. Sadly I'm not too fond of the sequels.
A+
If you love heady horror films this is a must see.
The only part of this movie that I would have changed would have been the lead. Mr. Lack was okay but I felt that Cronenberg could have found an actor with more experience. Michael Ironside was chilling, ice ran through his veins. This movie made his career as a movie heavy. Jennifer O'Neill was nice to look at and fit in well. A strong storyline and good directing made this one a must see.
I was very impressed with this movie. The soundtrack was apt for the movie.
I haven't watch this film in awhile. But after seeing it on D.V.D. recently, I'm still a big fan of Scanners. Sadly I'm not too fond of the sequels.
A+
If you love heady horror films this is a must see.
helpful•6116
- Captain_Couth
- Oct 21, 2004
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Scanners - Ihre Gedanken können töten
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- CA$4,100,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $14,225,876
- Gross worldwide
- $14,225,876
- Runtime1 hour 43 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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