Customer Reviews

Orca: Killer Whale [VHS]

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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.

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.

They killed his wife...they killed his child...they took everything away from him and replaced it with a thirst for justice...a thirst for revenge...sounds like a set up for the 1974 Charles Bronson film Death Wish...but it's not...it's actually for Orca (1977) aka Orca: The Killer Whale. Now one can say Orca is a completely original film and has nothing to do with the De Laurentiis group (Dino was the executive producer) trying to capitalize on the phenomenal success of the Spielberg film Jaws (1975), the first film to break the 100 million dollar mark, but they would be wrong. Spielberg's popular and wildly successful giant shark film spawned legions of copycats, all eager to suckle on the cash teat, including films that featured wanton whales (this one), ornery octopuses (okay, it's octopi), savage squids, beastly bigfoots, antagonistic arachnids, barbarous bears and just about any other kind of creature that walks, crawls, swims, or slimes its' way across God's green Earth that you can imagine.

Orca, directed by Michael Anderson, who had just come off directing the sci-fi classic Logan's Run (1976) features Richard (A Man Called Horse) Harris, and perennial 70's film star Charlotte Rampling. Also appearing are Will Sampson (the big Indian from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), popular character actor Keenan Wynn, Robert Carradine, and in her first on screen appearance, Bo Derek. As the film opens, we see many good-looking underwater shots of killer whales swimming around, and we see two people, presumably scientists, Rachel (Rampling) and Ken (Carradine), doing some sort of scientific research involving the whales. We also meet Captain Nolan (Harris), and his crew, as they're trying to capture a great white shark in order to sell it to an aquarium for great profit. In an effort to show just how much tougher and impressive killer whales are than great white sharks (and a hollow attempt at one-upmanship with the Jaws film), we witness, along with Captain Nolan, a spectacular attack on a great white by a killer whale. This encourages Nolan to change his goal to giving up on sharks and focus on capturing a killer whale, a decision he will end up regretting. His attempt turns out badly, as the whale he captures, not only a female, but also a pregnant female, dies in a very bloody fashion. Now, we soon learn that the whales, being highly intelligent mammals, not only mate for life, but that they also have a capacity for revenge that meets, maybe even exceeds, that of humans. As Nolan begins to realize the consequences of his actions, regret and remorse creep into his consciousness, and tries to come to terms with what he's done. Thus begins a slow and deliberate attempt by the whale to draw Nolan out to sea, so that it may give the once haughty captain his comeuppance.

I did like certain things about this film. I thought the underwater shots of the whales were done well, and exhibited a calm gracefulness that certainly goes against the whale's size and weight. The story was pretty interesting, and, even though it's riding the coat tails of a much more popular and famous film, as a great number did, it stood out against most of those as being a better overall movie. Also, I did like Ennio Morricone's very ethereal musical score throughout the film, as it especially accompanied the underwater scenes well. What I didn't care for in the film was the entire `eco' conscious theme ingrained into the story, a popular cause de jour that was prevalent throughout the late 70's. I've never advocated the mass slaughter of any species, but to constantly have the notion that all men are evil and destructive thrown continually in my face didn't endear the film to me all that much (maybe I exaggerate, but it did feel that way at times). The message came across rather heavy-handed and patronizing at times, as I felt like a little kid being lectured by his parents. I love it when Hollywood tries to teach as well as entertain (remember kids, just because it's on the screen does not mean it has to be true). The character development in this story seemed weak, especially the element where Nolan `identifies' with the whale (beware, as a severe case of eye-rolling will ensue). I did feel Nolan floundering back and forth, wrestling with the little voice in his head to be very human. Rampling's character lacked any development whatsoever, and was only presented as a means to an end, to provide scientific information to Nolan. There was a glimmer of her character being a romantic interest to Nolan, but that was never pursued. Sampson's character of Umilak, a Native American of the area, appears only to provide Nolan with the spiritual and mystical aspects of the whale, and nothing else. The other characters? Well, you can call them whale fodder, as that was all they were good for...there are a couple of scenes in the film, as others have mentioned, that may not be suitable for young viewers. I got the feeling two forces were at work in this film, one trying to get across the gentle and warm aspects of the whales, and another intent on trying to include spectacular elements along the lines of those within the Jaws film. These two ideas seemed to work against each other, creating an odd dichotomy.

The transfer to DVD provided here in wide screen format looks very good, despite minor wear, due to age, to the source material. There are no special features available, not even a trailer, but that was hardly surprising to me, as Paramount Home Video, when it comes to DVD releases, lacks not only in their output, but also in understanding the value of the inclusion of extras. All in all, a lack-luster release of a better than average film that owes its' existence to another, much more popular, much more successful, and a much better all around film.

Cookieman108

"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.

This is a fun movie about revenge. About a creature driven to kill by anger and hatred. After a sea captain kills a whales wife and unborn child its mate goes on a killing spree in hopes of murdering the man who killed did. It is a scary adventure and unlike jaws which uses a horrendisaly fake anamatronic Orca uses a real whale so it has great realism. Also unlike jaws which waits to the end to show the thing Orca shows it plenty early so you don't have to wait. Orca should come to DVD so people can own this classic.

Yeah, I know, "Orca" is sort of a "Jaws" rip-off (coming out in 1977, two years later); I admit it may not technically be as good as "Jaws" but I personally consider it on a par with that more popular pic. Actually, despite the obvious similarities, "Orca" has a very different vibe than "Jaws."

THE STORY: Richard Harris stars as a New Foundland fisherman trying to make some big money by capturing a killer whale for Seaworld (or some such park). Unfortunately he ends up horribly botching the job -- killing a female killer whale AND her poor unborn calf. The rest of the film involves Orca's vengeful wrath on Harris and the seaport community where he lives.

WHAT WORKS: First of all, the story is utterly serious in tone -- there's no camp to be seen; secondly, the score by Ennio Morricone ("The Good, the Bad and the Ugly") is equal-parts beautiful, touching and haunting; thirdly, the casting is great: Harris is perfect as the aging sea salt, Charlotte Rampling is super sharp & intellectual as the cetacean biologist, Will Sampson ("One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest") is great (and cliched) as the Indian sage with his wise, foreboding words and Bo Derek is, well, you know.

In addition, the New Foundland locations are fabulous and, at an hour and a half, the film is short and sweet (as I wish more flicks would be) so there's not much filler.

The scene wherein Orca's mate aborts her calf aboard Harris' boat is truly unsettling, to say the least. It goes without saying that you'll be rooting for Orca the whole flick.

There's a very memorable scene wherein Orca causes mass destruction in the village at night (explosions, etc.); Harris looks upon the great havoc as Orca victoriously jumps in and out of the water in utter elation. I caught this ONE scene on TV years ago, before ever seeing the movie, and it just stuck with me. It's a very powerful, well-done sequence (even believable).

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: In my mind there's very little that DOESN'T work in this film, but fans of, say, "Armegeddon" might complain that the pace is a little slow at times; others may criticize the melodramatics.

CONCLUSION: This is NOT a Grade B creature-on-the-loose flick (e.g. "Piranha" or "Crocodile"); it's serious, moving and top-of-the-line all the way. If what I've described sounds like your cup of tea, don't miss out on "Orca"!

...a misunderstood genius driven by the love in his gigantic whale heart? I am sure this film was produced and filmed in response to the success of Jaws in 1975, but don't let that stop you from viewing this truly great piece of cult cinema. Outstanding cinematography and wonderful performances, this isn't just some mindless under-sea thriller. Charlotte Rampling is so engaging and sexy as the scholarly voice of reason, and Richard Harris in particular shines in his role as the salty whale hunter who gradually finds empathy for Orca and mourns the day that he harpooned the killer whale's pregnant female mate. Also, look forward to some brief but important roles by the beautiful Bo Derek, Will Sampson (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Poltergeist 2) and let's not forget the whales themselves! However, the greatest performance of all comes from the stirring, evocative music of Ennio Morricone. This is some of his finest work and it is my opinion that this film would be completely forgotten without it. Orca has a vendetta and he won't stop until lives are lost and an entire fishing village is destroyed! The chilling ending (no pun intended) probably won't surprise the viewer, but I doubt there will be a dry eye in the house. This film should be on DVD! A must for any fan of forgotten cinema.

If you can't appreciate how awesome and hilarious this movie is, then you have no sense of humor whatsoever. I feel that strongly about "Orca".

From the very first scene, this Dino DeLaurentiis classic will flatten you with its authentic 70s drama, awesome cast, and the unintentional comedy that makes so many films ripen with age. We first meet marine biologist and college professor Charlotte Rampling in a classroom, where she describes the complex communication of orcas and then says that to an orca, the speech of humans would be considered "retarded." Cut to scenes of orcas frolicking.

This sets the stage for the ghastly, over-the-top atrocity perpetrated by the crew of the Bumpo: arguably the awesomest scene in the entire film. Captain Nolan (Richard Harris) decides to catch him an Orca to sell to an aquarium. Oops, his incompetent crew screwed it up. As a female orca writhes from the ship's crane, mortally wounded, its mate freaks out like an overwrought player on a daytime soap opera. Things reach their peak when a malformed, dead fetus orca spews from the dying female. The male orca cries out in pain and anguish in an exact facimile of the most cliched line in cinema: "Nooooooooooooooo!" Then he takes a picture of Captain Nolan with his eye, and from that point forward we're only counting the days until the Captain goes down.

Like so many other classics of this nature, the supporting cast brings a key element to the table. No sooner has Nolan discovered the dead body of the orca he killed deposited in his harbor, than Chief from One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest appears, dispensing empty 'Native wisdom' along the lines of "The elders of my tribe say, when an orca washes up on your beach, it means that Mother Earth is mad at you". The gorgeous Bo Derek is the eye candy of the film, until she either does or does not get chomped (I'm trying not to give too much away here). The vengeful orca himself has a lot of personality. After a spirited round of destroying houses on stilts and somehow setting them aflame, the orca does joyous flips in the air.

Ultimately, all the characters end up on a suicide mission that seemingly leads them towards the North Pole. On this mission, a basic Hollywood rule applies: if you start talking about turning back, the Orca is coming for you next! Captain Nolan pleads with the orca to feel empathy for him, since his family was killed by a drunk driver, but the orca isn't having any of it. Their showdown amidst ice floes is epic, as is the melodramatic tune that rolls over the closing credits.

Embrace all that is Orca. One of the best movies out there.

Now here is one of the ultimate stories of revenge. This film was created in 1977 and especially with that in mind still holds some of the better cinematograpghy as well as editing. The writing for this film is also done on a very professional level. I remember seeing this as a little kid and the orca took on a scarier form than even that of the shark, talking about "Jaws" here. This is a must see for any film lover.

Brilliant. One of the best sea / ocean horror movies of that time. Richard Harris is brilliant and the special effects are great. A must have if you loved the Jaws movies. XXXX