Endangered Species (1982)

About a retired New York cop on Vacation in America's West who is drawn into a female sheriff's investigation of a mysterious series of cattle killings.

Director:

Alan Rudolph

Writers:

Judd Klinger (story) (as Judson Klinger), Richard Clayton Woods (story)

Stars:

Robert Urich, JoBeth Williams, Paul Dooley

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Urich	...	Ruben Castle
JoBeth Williams	...	Harriet Purdue
Paul Dooley	...	Joe Hiatt
Hoyt Axton	...	Ben Morgan
Peter Coyote	...	Steele
Marin Kanter	...	Mackenzie Castle
Gailard Sartain	...	Mayor
Dan Hedaya	...	Peck
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Dr. Emmer
John Considine	...	Burnside
Margery Bond	...	Judy Hiatt
Joseph G. Medalis	...	Lawyer
Patrick Houser	...	Chester
Alvin Crow	...	Deputy Wayne
Ned Dowd	...	Deputy Bobby

Storyline

Thriller about a New York ex-cop and an attractive female sheriff who fall in love while investigating a string of mysterious cattle mutilations in a small Colorado town. Urich is great as Reuben Castle, the retired alcoholic police lieutenant out visiting the town with his tomboy daughter. At first he tries to stay out of the case but finds himself involved after the mysterious death of his friend Joe Hiatt, the editor of the local paper whose theories about black helicopters have aroused the ire of cattle baron Ben Morgan. Trying miserably to stay sober, Castle finds himself back in danger and in love, as he and the sheriff work together to get to the bottom of the mystery, encountering incredible danger and resistance from the frightened locals.

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Plot Keywords:

female sheriff | cattle mutilation | conspiracy | 1980s | colorado | 

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Taglines:

What you don't know can kill you.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character Susan is played by Heather Menzies-Urich, co-star Robert Urich's off-screen wife. Menzies is best known as Louisa, one of the children in The Sound of Music (1965).

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Quotes

Joe Hiatt: You know in almost every case, bright lights in the sky, no tracks, strange noises...
Ruben Castle: UFOs, huh?
Joe Hiatt: Look pal, if it's UFOs, it's bigger than all of us. That's like saying God did it. But if it's not UFOs...

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Connections

Spoofed in Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude (2004)

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Soundtracks

BOOZERS ARE LOOSERS
Composed and Performed by Hoyt Axton
Courtesy of Jeremiah Records

User Reviews

fair conspiracy theory movie

Ruben Castle (Robert Urich) is a rough alcoholic ex-NYC cop who quited under some suspicions. His delinquent daughter Mackenzie is released to him as they travel to Colorado. Mackenzie gets arrested for running into Harriet Purdue (JoBeth Williams). Harriet is the new sheriff in the small Colorado town. She's investigating suspicious cattle mutilation deaths. Ruben's friend Joe Hiatt (Paul Dooley) runs the local paper and has a conspiracy theory about the cattle. Cattle rancher Ben Morgan (Hoyt Axton) is the local big wig. There is a secret base out in an abandoned nuclear silo.

It take awhile before the movie settles down to its subject matter. Purdue should be much more of the lead character instead of Castle. That way the movie is solidly about the cattle mutilations. Instead it's too much about Castle's drinking and his failing father daughter relationship. The movie wants to hint at UFOs. The investigation feels like it's put on the backburner too much early on. The investigation has good spooky vibes at times and works well especially with the electronic music. The sound effects works well in opposition to the open space hinterland. The major drawback for me is that it never really explains everything to my satisfaction. It explains just enough for me to give it a pass.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 September 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cows

Filming Locations:

Colorado, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,474,249

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,474,249

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alive Enterprises, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1