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Scanners

  • 19811981
  • RR
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
54K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,321
361
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Scanners (1981)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer2:12
2 Videos
99+ Photos
HorrorSci-FiThriller

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.

IMDb RATING
6.8/10
54K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,321
361
  • Director
    • David Cronenberg
  • Writer
    • David Cronenberg
  • Stars
    • Jennifer O'Neill
    • Stephen Lack
    • Patrick McGoohan
Top credits
  • Director
    • David Cronenberg
  • Writer
    • David Cronenberg
  • Stars
    • Jennifer O'Neill
    • Stephen Lack
    • Patrick McGoohan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 219User reviews
    • 141Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 9 nominations

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:12
    Official Trailer
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 18
    Video 28:08
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 18

    Photos112

    Michael Ironside in Scanners (1981)
    Stephen Lack in Scanners (1981)
    Jennifer O'Neill in Scanners (1981)
    Patrick McGoohan and Lawrence Dane in Scanners (1981)
    "Scanners" Michael Ironside 1981 Avco Embassy
    "Scanners" Dir. David Cronenberg 1981 Avco Embassy
    David Cronenberg, Michael Ironside, Patrick McGoohan, Howard Shore, Lawrence Dane, Stephen Lack, and Jennifer O'Neill in Scanners (1981)
    Michael Ironside in Scanners (1981)
    Michael Ironside in Scanners (1981)
    Stephen Lack in Scanners (1981)
    Stephen Lack in Scanners (1981)
    Stephen Lack in Scanners (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jennifer O'Neill
    Jennifer O'Neill
    • Kim Obristas Kim Obrist
    Stephen Lack
    Stephen Lack
    • Cameron Valeas Cameron Vale
    Patrick McGoohan
    Patrick McGoohan
    • Dr. Paul Ruthas Dr. Paul Ruth
    Lawrence Dane
    Lawrence Dane
    • Braedon Kelleras Braedon Keller
    Michael Ironside
    Michael Ironside
    • Darryl Revokas Darryl Revok
    Robert A. Silverman
    Robert A. Silverman
    • Benjamin Pierceas Benjamin Pierce
    • (as Robert Silverman)
    Lee Broker
    Lee Broker
    • Security Oneas Security One
    Mavor Moore
    • Trevellyanas Trevellyan
    Adam Ludwig
    • Arno Crosticas Arno Crostic
    Murray Cruchley
    • Programmer 1as Programmer 1
    • (as Lee Murray)
    Fred Doederlein
    • Dieter Tautzas Dieter Tautz
    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)
    Denis Lacroix
    • Killer in Barnas Killer in Barn
    Elizabeth Mudry
    • Killer in Barnas Killer in Barn
    Victor Désy
    Victor Désy
    • Dr. Gatineauas Dr. Gatineau
    • (as Victor Desy)
    Louis Del Grande
    • First Scanneras First Scanner
    • Director
      • David Cronenberg
    • Writer
      • David Cronenberg
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    5.2
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    4.4
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    6.4
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    Storyline

    Edit
    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>
    psychic powerexploding headscientistsabotageinvestigation263 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • There are 4 billion people on earth. 237 are Scanners. They have the most terrifying powers ever created... and they are winning.
    • Genres
      • Horror
      • Sci-Fi
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The 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.
    • Goofs
      After 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 credits
      As 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 versions
      The 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.
    • Connections
      Edited into 365 Days, also Known as a Year (2019)

    User reviews219

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    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.
    helpful•61
    16
    • Captain_Couth
    • Oct 21, 2004

    FAQ2

    • What is a "scanner"?
    • What is Ephemerol?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 14, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Scanners - Ihre Gedanken können töten
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)
      • Filmplan International
      • Montreal Trust Company of Canada
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • CA$4,100,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,225,876
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,225,876
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    ‘Crimes of the Future’ – First Reaction to David Cronenberg’s New Movie Promises Something Special
    ‘Crimes of the Future’ – First Reaction to David Cronenberg’s New Movie Promises Something Special
    Apr 8bloody-disgusting.com
    ‘Bride of Chucky’ and ‘Scanners’ Actor Lawrence Dane Has Passed Away
    ‘Bride of Chucky’ and ‘Scanners’ Actor Lawrence Dane Has Passed Away
    Mar 23bloody-disgusting.com

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