Product Details

• Actors: Richard Harris, Charlotte Rampling, Will Sampson, Bo Derek, Keenan Wynn
• Directors: Michael Anderson
• Writers: Luciano Vincenzoni, Robert Towne, Sergio Donati
• Producers: Dino De Laurentiis, Luciano Vincenzoni
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, Surround Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: September 14, 2004
• Run Time: 92 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0002I832M
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,720 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Orca - The Killer Whale" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

ORCA: THE KILLER WHALE stars Richard Harris and Bo Derek in her screen debut in an epic struggle between a strong and determined fisherman and an equally determined whale. When the whale's pregnant mate is killed, it goes on a rampage, seeking revenge on the man by smashing boats, collapsing buildings and causing extreme destruction by fire.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars More scary than you think ! August 24, 2003

By Fireball

Format:VHS Tape

The angry mate of a slaughtered pregnant killer whale becomes so enraged, that he begins a reign of terror on a fishing village and their community. Even though this movie follows on the heels of Jaws, and while it's not golden filmmaking like the great white shark classic, it is better than you think and gives more creeps than you presumed. Also gives you a true impression that orca's are more intelligent than most whales or animals/mammals. Bo Derek, and Richard Harris give the film more than average acts, while poor Robert Carradine and others get whipped by the black sea wolf's tail or eaten by him. I vote Orca as a more dangerous and smarter animal than a killer shark-he's faster, smarter, and he's gota good reason to kill. The music, by Ennio Morricone is a little eerie and provokes your nerves that more terror is to come. So, although the film isn't a milestone, don't look at the poster of this movie and brush it off as a Jaws rip off. Better than it looks.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It's no "Jaws", but it's wonderfully entertaining just the same June 9, 2007

By Steven Hedge

Format:DVD

The success of Spielberg's 1975 first to crack the 100 million mark landmark film Jaws spawned a whole series of "us against it" genre films of which several were water-based like the dreadful Tentacles and the rest were equally poor only taking place on land such as the campy Day of the Animals. However, a few were standouts and "Orca" was one of them.

Wonderfully and sensitively acted by the late great Richard Harris (A Man Called Horse and Camelot), the always convincing Charlotte Rampling (The Verdict), and the ever noble Will Sampson (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Poltergeist II: The Other Side). It is also memorable as the first film for Bo (10) Derek who manages to actually keep her clothes on in this film.

The storyline is intelligent and believable. There are no memorable cliches or unimportant scenes. The film is compact and to the point at a brief 92 minutes. The direction and editing is sturdy and skillful. The photography is absolutely brilliant. Every shot is beautifully filmed. The music is, unfortunately, forgettable and uninspiring.

Don't let the comparisons to "Jaws" scare you off. This film may not be in that ballpark, but its field is only a block or two away.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Incredibly Gorgeous and Sad Film September 24, 2004

A Kid's Review

Format:DVD

"Orca" is one of the most gorgeous and saddest movies I have ever seen in my life. The first time I saw this film, I was incredibly moved by the sadness of the male orca over losing his mate and unborn calf and Captain Nolan's eventual finding of empathy for marine mammals. The plot is wonderful but quite scary as well. Scenes of the male orca on the attack can send chills up one's spine. At one time, I even thought Bo Derek really lost her leg. No animal is as powerful as the orca itself. The orca is much smarter than the great white shark could ever be. Its prey respects and fears the animal simutaneously.

Richard Harris, Will Sampson, Charlotte Rampling, Bo Derek, Keenan Wynn, and Richard Carradine all turn in wonderful performances in their respective roles. However, the best performances go to the orcas themselves, Yaka and Nepo. Residing at Six Flags Marine World, Yaka and Nepo did wonderfully as orcas in love. They were perfect for their roles because Nepo was quite interested in Yaka, as I have heard from different orca websites. Unfortunately, they have since passed away. Nepo died on 7/10/80, and Yaka died on 10/29/97. May Nepo and Yaka forever rest in peace.

"Orca" will drive you to tears as you watch it. You'll feel as if you are swimming with the orcas to Ennio Morricone's incredible music score. I have loved this movie since I saw as a teenager. The visuals are breathtaking, as is the musical score. It may not be all that original, but it is a saddening and gorgeous film you need to see.