The Terminator

4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (682 customer reviews)
A cyborg (part man, part machine) is sent from the 21st century to present-day Los Angeles to assassinate a seemingly innocent women whose child will play an important part in the world from which the killer came.
  • Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn
  • Directed by: James Cameron
  • Runtime: 1 hour 48 minutes
  • Release year: 1984
  • Studio: MGM
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Product Details
Synopsis: A cyborg (part man, part machine) is sent from the 21st century to present-day Los Angeles to assassinate a seemingly innocent women whose child will play an important part in the world from which the killer came.
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn
Supporting actors: Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen, Bess Motta, Earl Boen, Rick Rossovich, Dick Miller, Shawn Schepps, Bruce M. Kerner, Franco Columbu, Bill Paxton, Brad Rearden, Brian Thompson, Ken Fritz, Tom Oberhaus, Ed Dogans, Joe Farago, Hettie Lynne Hurtes, Tony Mirelez, Philip Gordon
Directed by: James Cameron
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Runtime: 1 hour 48 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 1984
Studio: MGM
ASIN: B00153ZC8Q (Rental) and B0015416CG (Purchase)
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 24 hour viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: October 26, 1984
  • Production Company: Hemdale Film, Pacific Western, Euro Film Funding, Cinema 84
  • USA Box Office: $ 38 Million
  • Worldwide Box Office: $ 80 Million
  • Filming Locations: 2848 E Observatory Ave, Los Angeles, California, USA | Tunnel at Lower Grand & West Gen Thad Kosciuszko Way, Los Angeles, California, USA | 14239 Gilmore Street, Van Nuys, California, USA | 420 South Lafayette Park Place, Los Angeles, California, USA | 212 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

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Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
(682)
4.3 out of 5 stars
See all 682 customer reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
470 of 498 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars The Terminator BLU-RAY edition November 29, 2008
By Blackjack Davy
Format:Blu-ray
This review refers to the BLU-RAY edition ONLY and NOT to the DVD edition.

Well having The Terminitor series on DVD and loving them and having recently upgraded to a blu-ray player I decided to take the plunge and upgrade my collection to high definition blu-ray format.

Boy, what a mistake that was.

Picture quality is AWFUL - well awful for blu-ray anyway. They've taken the same standard definition source as the DVD and upscaled it for blu-ray - but it's still standard definition. Only the menu is in High Definition, the movie is not. I tested my DVD version upscaled against the blu-ray edition and found them identical - if anything the DVD came out slightly on top.

It also only contains 2 extras - the special effects making of and the retrospective - nothing else. My DVD edition contains over a dozen extras.

My verdict if you're thinking of buying The Terminator in blu-ray and you have an upscaling DVD/BD player - forget it. Stick with the DVD version instead, picture is the same and it has more extras. It's cheaper too.

Maybe one day this wonderful movie will receive the treatment it deserves and be digitally remastered and have it's frames scanned with a high definition camera - but until then sit on your DVD's and wait.
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153 of 167 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Cash Grab Release! April 23, 2011
By MediaMogul
Format:Blu-ray
This is the fourth release of this film on blu-ray already. There is the 2006 original, a 2009 lenticular cover version, a 2010 blu-ray/DVD combo and now this 2011 blu-ray book. While I won't debate the merits of the film itself, MGM is currently in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings and I assume this is the primary reason for this new release. Unfortunately, they haven't bothered upgrading the original MPEG-2/LPCM 2006 mastering of the film itself; all the versions contain identical disc content. If you don't already own this film and want a fancy book style package for a 5 year old blu-ray master, go ahead and pick this up. Otherwise, you're better off finding a less expensive older version.
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114 of 130 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Cameron's sci-fi masterpeice is finally done justice December 29, 2001
By Robert H.
Format:DVD
The original "Terminator" is arguably the greatest sci-fi/action film ever, and the Special Edition DVD finally does this classic film justice. Many people look at the sequel as the better of the two, but remember, Cameron was given a huge budget for T2. He was forced to film "The Terminator" for less than $6 million. If you're like me, you could write enough about this movie to fill an encyclopedia, but I'll try to give just a breif plot description for those who have yet to see it.

In the future, SkyNET, the supercomputer in control of all military power, decides that humans must be destroyed and begins a massive nuclear war that destroys most of the population. The survivors form a resistance agains the computer and its mechanical army, and eventually defeat it, thanks to their leader John Connor. In a final effort to win, the computer sends a Terminator back in time to kill John's mother, Sarah, before he is born. The humans send back a lone soilder, Kyle Reese, to protect Sarah from the seemingly unstoppable cyborg.

When the movie was originally filmed, the soundtrack was recorded in mono, which sounded horrible on the original DVD release of the Terminator. But here you can find a newly recorded soundtrack, with the original soundtrack remixed along with new gun and explosion sound effects. Most of the new sounds are very cool (esp. the HK entrance in the first scene), and the new gun effects are good for the most part. Only in a few instances are the new sounds a little weak. Fortunately the DVD also sports the original mono soundtrack for when you want to watch the original verion.

Next to the film itself, the best part of this DVD is the Special Features, most of which were unavailable before. There are two Terminator documentaries, which have cast and crew interviews and behind the scene footage of the original filming of the Terminator, very cool stuff for die hards. Also featured are deleted scenes from the original film, which offer a deeper look into the Terminator mythology, and shows different sides of some characters which you wouldn't see in the original. Also in the special features are all the original storyboards for the film and hundreds more photos of the sets, actors and sketches from the original production. Simply put, for die hard Terminator fans, your wait is over. Terminator: Special Edition is a godsend.

HERE ARE ALSO TWO SECRETS I HAVE FOUND SO FAR ON THE DVD. On side one, under Languages, more to "Francais" so it is highlighted. Now move to the right. A little box on the right side of the screen should now be highlighted. Click on it. This gives access to one of four short, random interviews. The second secret is also on side one. Under special features, click on "DVD Rom Features," then under there move so that the Main Menu shortcut is highlighted. Move to the right again, and another small box should now be highlighted. Click on that. This also gives access to four more interviews. Enjoy!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars The Terminator(1984)
James Cameron came up with ideas for this film while he was sick on the set of Piranha 2(1982). The Terminator(1984) was a big critical and commercial hit in 1984. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Jorge A. Zarco
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic chiller adventure
I first watched this at drive-in movie - I was on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, and forgot to finish the wonderfully greasy popcorn I was so involved in fast paced action... Read more
Published 6 days ago by Lockett F. Ballard
5.0 out of 5 stars Always the best!
I rented this for my 11 year old son because I figured it was time to share one of the BEST movies ever made with him and it didn't disappoint him either! sci-fi CLASSIC!
Published 18 days ago by Samantha Ornelas
5.0 out of 5 stars The Terminator, and Arnold classic
What else can you say. This movie is one of my favorites and I should have picked it up a long time ago. Read more
Published 18 days ago by samwbr
5.0 out of 5 stars Action flick that is fun to see
This movie was a favorite from my past and re-watching it with my kids was fun. The visual effects were pretty good for such an old movie.
Published 18 days ago by Andrea Tauer
5.0 out of 5 stars funny how special effects get better over the years.
I bought this movie for about a dollar from cyberzoo, the disc was in excellent shape and played well. Read more
Published 26 days ago by millerwatch
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome condition
Love Arnold in these movies. My kids are now saying "I'll be back" when they leave the house. ha ha ha
Published 1 month ago by alicat32169
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
We bought this to add to the video library and it has been a pretty popular item since purchased. Great!
Published 1 month ago by Jolene Esterline
5.0 out of 5 stars i love this movie
hi i am the terminator fans and i really enjoy this film and can not wait to see the terminator 5.
Published 1 month ago by Mihaly John Reman
5.0 out of 5 stars terminating, but not on your terms
I can say with confidence that I dislike Arnold Schwarzenegger as an actor. His movies were once really exciting and adrenaline-rushing to watch as a youngster, but nowadays I... Read more
Published 1 month ago by B. E Jackson
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Blu-Ray features?
Steven Chaverria says: "I was just wondering what features this Blu had? Does it have the same features as the previous DVD with all those features. I believe that one was a flip DVD. Thanks."

The Blu Ray (which isn't even in Hi-Def) has the 3 features "Wayne Klein" mentioned... Read more
May 20, 2010 by Not American |  See all 5 posts
DVD reviews mixed with BLU-RAY reviews?
I totally agree. I almost bought the Blu-Ray of Terminator 2 until I realized that the reviews were for the DVD Ultimate Edition. Terminator 2 Blu-Ray will not have the extras listed in that review until the Terminator 2 Skynet Edition comes out next month. Boy am I glad I looked again.
Apr 10, 2009 by Gift Card Recipient |  See all 9 posts
2009 Lenticular Edition on Blu-Ray?
I wouldn't wait for a box set... because it's probably never going to happen. Here's why:

"The Terminator" was produced by Orion, which no longer exists. Their catalog was sold to MGM. MGM still holds the rights, but currently distribute its titles through Fox.

"Terminator... Read more
Jul 1, 2009 by GUSHandGO |  See all 8 posts
region?
it works with region b player.
Nov 20, 2009 by M. Becker |  See all 5 posts
I want new features for the first film Be the first to reply
Is there an edition available with the deleted scenes?
A lot happened to MGM between 2000 and now.

MGM used to have its own DVD operations. Then, though a series of distribution deals (first with Sony then with, as of right now, 20th Century Fox), they had to revise their DVD offerings accordingly. Some of MGM's former product (along with a lot of... Read more
Aug 23, 2009 by Mark Baum |  See all 5 posts
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