The Terminator (1984)

In 1984, a human soldier is tasked to stop an indestructible cyborg killing machine, both sent from 2029, from executing a young woman, whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation.

Director:

James Cameron

Writers:

James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd

Stars:

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn

Top Rated Movies #243 | 7 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Arnold Schwarzenegger	...	Terminator
Michael Biehn	...	Kyle Reese
Linda Hamilton	...	Sarah Connor
Paul Winfield	...	Lieutenant Ed Traxler
Lance Henriksen	...	Detective Hal Vukovich
Rick Rossovich	...	Matt Buchanan
Bess Motta	...	Ginger Ventura
Earl Boen	...	Dr. Peter Silberman
Dick Miller	...	Pawn Shop Clerk
Shawn Schepps	...	Nancy
Bruce M. Kerner	...	Desk Sergeant
Franco Columbu	...	Future Terminator
Bill Paxton	...	Punk Leader
Brad Rearden	...	Punk
Brian Thompson	...	Punk

Storyline

Sent back from a dystopian 2029--where the cold machines have conquered the entire world--to 1984 Los Angeles, the indestructible cyborg-assassin known as the "Terminator" commences his deadly mission to kill humankind's most important woman: the unsuspecting, Sarah Connor. However, from the same war-torn post-apocalyptic future comes a battle-scarred defender--Kyle Reese, a brave soldier of the human Resistance Army--bent on stopping the cybernetic killer from eliminating the world's last hope. But, the Terminator has no feelings, he doesn't sleep, and above all, he won't stop until he carries out his grim task. Does our future lie in our past?

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Plot Keywords:

robotics | cyborg | time travel | future war | nudity | 

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Taglines:

I'll be back!

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

26 October 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Terminator

Filming Locations:

Tunnel at Lower Grand & West Gen Thad Kosciuszko Way, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,400,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,020,663, 28 October 1984

Gross USA:

$38,371,200

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$78,475,971

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinema '84, Euro Film Funding, Hemdale

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (original release) Dolby (DVD Re-Release) DTS (DTS HD Master Audio)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Robert Crais novel The Sentry seems to make an oblique reference to the first two Terminator films: he mentions the gun by Heckler & Koch (the HK's in the movie) and a line from Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), "he took it pretty well".

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Goofs

(at around 1h 12 mins) During the flashback scene in which a Terminator infiltrates the underground human hiding place and starts killing people, if you look at the right side (his right side) of the Terminator's face by his eyes, you can see a flat line which is part of the makeup used to give him his glowing red eyes (like the sunglasses with LED lights that were popular to wear in the 1980's).

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Quotes

[first lines]
[the garbage truck's engine stops]
Truck Driver: What the hell? Goddamn son of a bitch...

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits run while large outlines of the two halves of THE TERMINATOR cross each other. After the last directorial credit is shown, the title THE TERMINATOR zooms backward, is filled by metallic blue, and reveals itself.

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Alternate Versions

In Germany, the film was put on the BPJM index for youth endangering media in the mid-80s. The result was that TV versions and many VHS releases were cut down for a "Not under 16" rating. The uncut version was practically only available in video rental stores. In 1998 the film was released on DVD in both its cut and uncut form. In 2010 the film was removed from the index and the film was re-rated, this time with a "Not under 16" rating for the uncut version.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Teenagers from Outer Space (1992)

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Soundtracks

I'll Be Back
/ Police Station & Escape
Music & Lyrics by Brad Fiedel

User Reviews

I always loved Kim Wilde

She was one of the best and still is. Cambodia, View From A Bridge, Kids In America et cetra... great enchantress. Loved her in this film. Came on TV and was surprised to see her in it. Great film too. Love dogs of course.