Orca (film)
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| Orca | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Michael Anderson |
| Produced by | Luciano Vincenzoni |
| Written by | Luciano Vincenzoni Sergio Donati Uncredited: Robert Towne |
| Starring | Richard Harris Charlotte Rampling Will Sampson Bo Derek Keenan Wynn Robert Carradine |
| Music by | Ennio Morricone |
| Cinematography | J. Barry Herron Ted Moore |
| Editing by | John Bloom Marion Rothman Ralph E. Winters |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures Dino De Laurentiis Company |
| Release date(s) | July 22, 1977 (USA) |
| Running time | 92 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | Unknown |
| Gross revenue | $14,717,854 (USA) |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Orca is a 1977 horror film directed by Michael Anderson and produced by Dino De Laurentiis and starring Richard Harris, Will Sampson and Charlotte Rampling. The film was one of a long line of marine-related horror-disaster films that followed the success of 1975's Jaws. In this film, the antagonist is a Killer Whale or Orca.
Robert Towne provided an uncredited script rewrite.
Taglines:
- The killer whale is one of the most intelligent creatures in the universe. Incredibly, he is the only animal other than man who kills for revenge. He has one mate, and if she is harmed by man, he will hunt down that person with a relentless, terrible vengeance - across seas, across time, across all obstacles.
- Terror just beneath the surface.
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[edit] Plot
Nolan (Richard Harris) is a crusty sea captain who is offered a large payment by a local aquarium if he can capture a killer whale. He and his crew attempt to capture a male killer whale, but instead mistakenly harpoon a female, which attempts to mortally wound herself on the propellors. While she is being hoisted up beside the ship to be taken back to port, she miscarries her unborn calf. Following a collision by the whale's mate, the female is cut loose. Her mate seeks vengeance for her death and the death of their offspring, killing one of Nolan's shipmates. The situation deteriorates as Nolan and the whale fight a deadly battle. A local professor, Rachel Bedford (Charlotte Rampling), tries to bring Nolan to his senses before the situation goes awry. The Orca proceeds to kill Nolan's crew one by one until only he and Rachel remain. In a final confrontation on the ice, the whale kills Nolan by hurling his body into an iceberg as a horrified Rachel looks on. The film ends wih the Orca, his revenge complete, quietly swimming away and a heartbroken Rachel staring down at the dying Nolan as his body slides into the water. in a dramatic posture which alludes to the crucifixtion of Jesus Christ.
[edit] Production
A combination of stock footage and animatronics was used to portray the killer whale. The stock was taken at Marine World in Redwood City, California (using their three orcas, Nepo, Yaka, and Vigga), at Marineland of the Pacific (using Corky II and Orky II), and the animatronic whale was filmed off of Malta and Newfoundland in the small fishing community of Petty Harbour.
[edit] Reception
Orca was poorly received by critics and audiences alike due in part to it's similarities to the film Jaws released two years prior. Upon release the film received only minor theatrical success, but in recent years the film has achieved a cult following among fans of the eco-horror sub genre.
[edit] Cast
- Richard Harris as Captain Nolan
- Charlotte Rampling as Rachel Bedford
- Will Sampson as Umilak
- Bo Derek as Annie
- Keenan Wynn as Novak
- Robert Carradine as Ken
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