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Scanners

  • 1981
  • R
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
58K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,311
397
Scanners (1981)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:12
3 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.

  • Director
    • David Cronenberg
  • Writer
    • David Cronenberg
  • Stars
    • Jennifer O'Neill
    • Stephen Lack
    • Patrick McGoohan
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    58K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,311
    397
    • Director
      • David Cronenberg
    • Writer
      • David Cronenberg
    • Stars
      • Jennifer O'Neill
      • Stephen Lack
      • Patrick McGoohan
    • 234User reviews
    • 150Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 9 nominations

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:12
    Watch Official Trailer
    Is Cronenberg's 'Crimes of the Future' Actually About Filmmaking?
    Clip 4:00
    Watch Is Cronenberg's 'Crimes of the Future' Actually About Filmmaking?
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 18
    Video 28:08
    Watch Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 18

    Photos113

    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)
    Patrick McGoohan and Lawrence Dane in Scanners (1981)
    Scanners (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jennifer O'Neill
    Jennifer O'Neill
    • Kim Obrist
    Stephen Lack
    Stephen Lack
    • Cameron Vale
    • (as Steven Lack)
    Patrick McGoohan
    Patrick McGoohan
    • Dr. Paul Ruth
    Lawrence Dane
    Lawrence Dane
    • Braedon Keller
    Michael Ironside
    Michael Ironside
    • Darryl Revok
    Robert A. Silverman
    Robert A. Silverman
    • Benjamin Pierce
    • (as Robert Silverman)
    Lee Broker
    Lee Broker
    • Security One
    Mavor Moore
    • Trevellyan
    Adam Ludwig
    • Arno Crostic
    Murray Cruchley
    • Programmer 1
    • (as Lee Murray)
    Fred Doederlein
    Fred Doederlein
    • Dieter Tautz
    Géza Kovács
    Géza Kovács
    • Killer in Record Store
    • (as Geza Kovacs)
    Sonny Forbes
    Sonny Forbes
    • Killer in Attic
    • (as Sony Forbes)
    Jérôme Tiberghien
    • Killer in Attic
    • (as Jerome Tiberghien)
    Denis Lacroix
    • Killer in Barn
    Elizabeth Mudry
    • Killer in Barn
    Victor Désy
    Victor Désy
    • Dr. Gatineau
    • (as Victor Desy)
    Louis Del Grande
    • First Scanner
    • Director
      • David Cronenberg
    • Writer
      • David Cronenberg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    5.2
    Scanners II: The New Order
    Crash
    6.4
    Crash
    Scanners III: The Takeover
    4.4
    Scanners III: The Takeover

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      David Cronenberg once called this the most frustrating film he'd ever made. The film was rushed through production - filming had to begin without a finished script and end within roughly two months so the financing would qualify as a tax write-off, forcing Cronenberg to write and shoot at the same time. Cronenberg also cited difficulty with and antagonism between the leads, particularly Patrick McGoohan and Jennifer O'Neill.
    • 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 reviews234

    Review
    Review
    Featured 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•63
    15
    • 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(yorkdale subway station)
    • 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

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