Orca: The Killer Whale

1977 • 92 minutes

About this movie

The natural beauty of Bo Derek in her screen debut and the supernatural spectacle of Dino De Laurentiis' (King Kong) masterful use of special effects on a gigantic scale highlights this rousing adventure story. It's the epic tale of one powerful being against another, a strong, determined fisherman (Richard Harris) versus an equally determined whale. When the giant whale's pregnant mate is maimed and killed by Harris, in a variation on Moby Dick, the whale seeks revenge on the man. Orca smashes boats, collapses buildings, and even manages to cause enormous destruction by fire. A suspenseful action drama.

Ratings and reviews

This movie clearly didn't do any actual research on orca. The only kind of orca that does kill are the ones at seaworld because they are practically insane for living in fish bowel and stressed out by screaming people

It's actually a much better movie than you might think. It has some depth to it, and the orca isn't attacking people because he wants to eat them. He was driven insane by the actions of a boat captain and his crew. They are his targets in his mission of vengeance, and no one better get in his way.

I saw this movie many moons ago. I believe it came out a few years after the first JAWS. The idea of a killer whale getting revenge of course is kinda silly. That said I have to say i believe the movie is wonderfully made and beautifully shot. Richard Harris is very good as the old sea captain and you cant help feeling sorry for the whales in the movie. If you watch it with a open mind i believe you will be very happy you did.