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IMDbPro

Endangered Species

  • 19821982
  • RR
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
1K
YOUR RATING
Endangered Species (1982)
  • Drama
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Alan Rudolph
  • Writers
    • Judd Klinger(story)
    • Richard Clayton Woods(story)
    • Alan Rudolph
  • Stars
    • Robert Urich
    • JoBeth Williams
    • Paul Dooley
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alan Rudolph
  • Writers
    • Judd Klinger(story)
    • Richard Clayton Woods(story)
    • Alan Rudolph
  • Stars
    • Robert Urich
    • JoBeth Williams
    • Paul Dooley
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 13User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Photos22

    Robert Urich and JoBeth Williams in Endangered Species (1982)
    Harry Carey Jr. and JoBeth Williams in Endangered Species (1982)
    Robert Urich in Endangered Species (1982)
    JoBeth Williams in Endangered Species (1982)
    Robert Urich and Marin Kanter in Endangered Species (1982)
    JoBeth Williams in Endangered Species (1982)
    Peter Coyote and Hoyt Axton in Endangered Species (1982)
    Robert Urich and Marin Kanter in Endangered Species (1982)
    JoBeth Williams in Endangered Species (1982)
    Endangered Species (1982)
    Endangered Species (1982)
    Robert Urich and Hoyt Axton in Endangered Species (1982)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Urich
    Robert Urich
    • Ruben Castleas Ruben Castle
    JoBeth Williams
    JoBeth Williams
    • Harriet Purdueas Harriet Purdue
    Paul Dooley
    Paul Dooley
    • Joe Hiattas Joe Hiatt
    Hoyt Axton
    Hoyt Axton
    • Ben Morganas Ben Morgan
    Peter Coyote
    Peter Coyote
    • Steeleas Steele
    Marin Kanter
    Marin Kanter
    • Mackenzie Castleas Mackenzie Castle
    Gailard Sartain
    Gailard Sartain
    • Mayoras Mayor
    Dan Hedaya
    Dan Hedaya
    • Peckas Peck
    Harry Carey Jr.
    Harry Carey Jr.
    • Dr. Emmeras Dr. Emmer
    John Considine
    John Considine
    • Burnsideas Burnside
    Margery Bond
    • Judy Hiattas Judy Hiatt
    Joseph G. Medalis
    • Lawyeras Lawyer
    Patrick Houser
    Patrick Houser
    • Chesteras Chester
    Alvin Crow
    • Deputy Wayneas Deputy Wayne
    Ned Dowd
    Ned Dowd
    • Deputy Bobbyas Deputy Bobby
    Kent Rizley
    • Deputy Rayas Deputy Ray
    Heather Menzies-Urich
    Heather Menzies-Urich
    • Susanas Susan
    • (as Heather Menzies)
    Michelle Davison
    • Mrs. Haskinsas Mrs. Haskins
    • Director
      • Alan Rudolph
    • Writers
      • Judd Klinger(story)
      • Richard Clayton Woods(story)
      • Alan Rudolph
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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).
    • Quotes

      Ruben Castle: So how you like chasin' bad guys?

      Harriet Purdue: Aw, we don't have many bad guys out here in the sticks, Lieutenant.

      Ruben Castle: Lesson Number One: There are bad guys everywhere.

    • Connections
      Featured in 31 Days of Horror: Endangered Species (1982) (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      BOOZERS ARE LOOSERS
      Composed and Performed by Hoyt Axton

      Courtesy of Jeremiah Records

    User reviews13

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    excellent and unorthodox film about conspiracy theory-type stuff
    this is a fascinating film. I remember it vividly as my father took me to see it when I was about 12. Come to think of it, my parents took me to see some really odd films when I was growing up in the early 80s. Before I was even thirteen my parents took me to see such films as "Heavy Metal", "Eating Raoul", and "Blow Out". What the hell were they thinking? lol.

    Anyways, this film is about cattle mutilation and delves into the world of conspiracy theories involving black helicopters, satanic underground networks, and all that other stuff people were starting to get worked up about in the early 80s.

    Robert Urich plays an investigator from the big city who comes to the rural town where the mutilations are happening. With him is his delinquent teenage daughter (who is quite good. whatever happened to that young actress??). Urich also becomes romantically entangled with the local female sheriff played by JoBeth Williams.

    I have to give special mention to a couple of things. This film (in my opinion) is easily the best that Alan Rudolph has ever done. He's always been somewhat of a cult director but I never found his films very impressive. But "Endangered Species" is just superb. If you're going to create a film about conspiracy theories, this is the way to do it, folks. By NOT spelling everything out for the audience. But suggesting a great deal. By NOT treating the audience as though they are idiots. The cinematography is also very impressive, as is the droning, disturbing score. A definite winner! I used to have a copy of this on VHS and I gave it away a few years back. I'm still kicking myself for doing that!
    helpful•16
    2
    • tbyrne4
    • Feb 16, 2011

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 10, 1982 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Cows
    • Filming locations
      • Buffalo, Wyoming, USA
    • Production companies
      • Alive Enterprises
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $7,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,474,249
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,474,249
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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