A personal favorite sub-genre of horror movies
is the animal attack films. As with most of my
preferences, it seems that these types of films
hit their stride in the 70’s and 80’s. There is
a bit of resurgence these days with many direct
to DVD computer effects fests that don’t even
come close to capturing the oddball hopelessness
that these earlier films convey. Of course, the
quality of these quickies can’t usually be
compared to the films that came before them and
while the money or technology is present today
the talent, ecological message and actual
cinematic craftsmanship is sorely missing from
today’s efforts.
By no means a definitive list
the movies below represent a small selection of
nature run rampant films. I have omitted the
mother of all killer animal movies “Jaws” but
ironically have included a number of its
imitators. While “Jaws” is a superb film I feel
that it is more of a human character study at
its core and also it is too predictable as an
inclusion on my list. All of the films below
have that little bit of “something” to push them
over the edge and are entertaining movies in
their own right.
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The Swarm (1978)
Directed by “the master of disaster” Irwin
Allen, many consider it to be one of the worst
disaster movies ever made. Michael Caine,
Katherine Ross, Richard Chamberlain and Henry
Fonda all slum through this epic of savage
killer bees threatening the population.
The movie has some amazing scenes of bees
tracking down and killing off many of the big
name cast in the most odd places, such as
Richard Chamberlain getting killed off in a bee
induced explosion (in glorious 70’s freeze
frame) at a nuclear power plant. The scenes of
the bees obliterating flame thrower wielding
soldiers must be seen to be believed.
Not as bad as many have claimed, The Swarm is no
more far fetched as any of Allen’s other big
name disaster epics. Worth a look to see the
highbrow cast, many already well known from
other projects, getting bumped off by super
imposed bees.
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Piranha (1978)
Heavily inspired by JAWS, this Joe Dante
directed killer fish film has gone on to be one
of the most beloved killer animal movies.
Scripted by the always dependable John Sayles,
who would go on to script the similarly themes
ALLIGATOR, the movie follows a batch of deadly
piranha released from a secret military
installation and threatening a tourist area.
Actually starting as a parody of JAWS and
evolving into a cult film of its own, Piranha
was actually initially blocked by Universal
which distributed JAWS until Steven Spielberg,
who viewed the movie and loved it, put a stop to
the injunction. The movie has snappy, crackling
dialogue and boasts a winning performance from
Bradford Dillman previously faced other ravenous
critters in films such as BUG, THE SWARM and
CHOSEN SURVIVORS.
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Day of the Animals (1977)
Not content with one animal as he had in 1976’s
GRIZZLY, director William Girdler brings us the
whole animal kingdom as aggressors, driven mad
by the depletion of the ozone layer.
A returning
Christopher George and an all star cast
including Leslie Nielsen, Michael Ansara and
Richard Jaeckel, also returning from GRIZZLY are
a group of hikers which run afoul of the
rampaging animals.
Surprisingly mean spirited in an exciting way,
our cast becomes fodder to all types of animal
mutilation. The movie is perhaps most known for
the scene where Nielsen, also driven mad by the
ultra violet rays, wrestles a grizzly bear in
one of the most hysterical over the top scenes
you will ever see.
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Alligator (1980)
One of the most fun movies in this sub genre
once again is scripted by John Sayles, keeping
his tongue firmly in cheek as he previous did
for PIRANHA. A baby alligator flushed down the
toilet by an irate father grows to gargantuan
proportions after feeding off of numerous dead
animals used for animal research. Jacked up on
untold chemicals the alligator begins a series
of attacks that brings it out of the city sewers
and into backyards, city streets and even a
wedding reception in one of the film’s most
notorious scenes.
Robert Forster stars as the unlucky cop hoping
to put an end to the reptile’s messy eating
habits and his scenes with co-star Robin Riker
are humorous and a real asset to the film. Some
of the acting is over the top but the movie
doesn’t take itself too seriously and is a riot
to watch. Veteran character actor Henry Silva
shows up as a pompous big game hunter claiming
he will be the one to take down the alligator,
only to wind up as one of the creature’s meals.
A definite high point in horror movies,
Alligator is one of those movies that lives up
to its famous reputations.
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Grizzly (1976)
Described a “Jaws with Claws” Grizzly doesn’t
even remotely try to hide the fact that it is a
land locked take of everyone’s favorite killer
shark epic. Surprisingly what started off as an
imitator has become a cult classic in its own
right. The late William Girdler’s bear rampage
film is a tightly directed, well written piece
of exploitation. The bear kills are suitably
vicious and no innocents are spared. As was a
thematic style for the time period, we are
introduced to multiple male leads, only to have
one of them knocked out of action as a late
period shock. Christopher George swaggers his
way into the role of the Chief Park Ranger
assigned to stop the now escalating bear
attacks. The always fun to watch Andrew Prine is
on hand as George’s wise cracking helicopter
pilot buddy, and this may be the only time you
get to see a bear dispatched by a bazooka.
Grizzly is a prime example of an obvious
exploitation movie that is given the most grand,
serious treatment by a director obviously
enjoying his subject matter. While it may not be
everyone’s choice for a classic movie, not only
is it one of my favorite films but it shows a
craftsmanship that completely hides its
miniscule budget. |
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