12 Days of Terror (2004)

For twelve days in July, 1916, a shark patrolled the waterways of northern New Jersey. This docudrama is based on Richard Fernicola's account of those days.

Director:

Jack Sholder

Writers:

Richard Fernicola (book), Jeffrey Reiner (teleplay)

Stars:

Colin Egglesfield, Mark Dexter, Jenna Harrison

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Egglesfield	...	Alex
Mark Dexter	...	Stanley
Jenna Harrison	...	Alice
John Rhys-Davies	...	Captain
Jamie Bartlett	...	Michael Schleisser
Adrian Galley	...	Engel
Colin Stinton	...	Dr. John Nichols
Roger Dwyer	...	Dr. Frederick Lucas
Patrick Lyster	...	Mayor Perillo
Nigel Sweet	...	Murphy
Paul Ditchfield	...	Commissioner Meel
Daniel Kriel	...	Lester Stillwell
Craig Geldenhuys	...	Arnie
David Jeffery	...	Charles
Glen Biderman-Pam	...	Johnny

Storyline

July of 1916 was a time of record heat, a polio epidemic, and a World War in Europe. But beach-goers in New Jersey are threatened by a even greater terror: a shark that has suddenly developed a taste for human flesh. Starting July 1st and lasting over a period of 12 days, the unidentified shark kills four people and seriously injures a fifth before the attacks stop, and threatens New Jersey's thriving tourist industry. Based on true events.

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Plot Keywords:

shark | blood | beach | year 1916 | animal attack | 

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for shark attacks

Details

Country:

South Africa

Language:

English

Release Date:

August 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

12 Dias de Terror

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Discovery Channel,Orly Adelson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The identity of the responsible shark has never been conclusively proven. While common legend states that a Great White is the sole shark responsible, some scientists think a bull shark might have been responsible for at least the three attacks in the creek. Others believe a school of sharks may have been responsible.

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Goofs

The end credits contain a few misspellings. For instance, the credit 'co-producer' is spelled 'co-producernas' and 'art director' is spelled 'art directorr' (these two examples are right next to each other).

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Quotes

Dr. John Nichols: I'm a fishman.

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Connections

Featured in Monsterquest: Gigantic Killer Fish II (2009)

User Reviews

We're Gonna Need a Bigger Audience!

It's all too easy to just nonchalantly label "12 Days of Terror" as being just another imitation of the legendary horror blockbuster "Jaws" and exclusively focus on its shortcomings. Especially when numerous and reliable sources state that Peter Benchley himself based his novel on these same facts that occurred in the summer of 1916. You can't really accuse a movie of being a rip-off when it's based on facts, not even when it comes more nearly 30 years after a milestone movie that commercialized these same facts. "12 Days of Terror" is an admirable and modest made-for-TV production that doesn't even dream of competing with "Jaws". Director Jack Sholder ("The Hidden", "Alone in the Dark") has more than enough experience to realize he plays in an entirely different league than Steven Spielberg and merely just attempted to shoot a solid and factual shark movie. As far as I'm concerned he succeeded. The movie's main trump is undeniably the reasonably accurate depiction of the 1916 setting. The events occurred nearly 100 years ago, so you already know beforehand that this movie won't primarily revolve on sexy young chicks in minuscule bikinis. We received quite a lot of bloodthirsty shark movies recently ("Spring Break Shark Attack", "Red Water", "Shark Attack 1 to 47", etc…) but there were actually just simple excuses to show hot chicks and hunky boys parading in the latest beach fashion. This film is different. Admittedly the characters are still rather one-dimensional, but at least they're not complete retards. During the first days of the unusually hot summer of 1916, the New Jersey beaches become overflowed with tourists that wish to forget all the daily issues, like that horrible war being fought in Europe. The warm currents also bring another and very unwelcome visitor to Matawan in the shape of a hungry and extremely aggressive shark. The authorities still refuse to close down the beaches even after two fatal accidents, but when the unstoppable animal even swims up the creeks in search for more victims, courageous life guard Alex plans to catch the shark himself. "12 Days of Terror" is a thoroughly unsurprising and unspectacular thriller, but it's never pretentious or boring. Due to budgetary restrictions there aren't many special effects, exhilarating attacks or enchanting underwater shots to admire. Actually, we only properly get to see the shark's fin and even that looks fake. The acting performances are okay and the early 20th century decors are convincing enough. It's, simply put, a harmless little TV time-waster.