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Killer Fish
Killer Fish
Killer Fish
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Killer Fish
Original movie poster
Directed byAntonio Margheriti
Written byMichael Rogers
Produced byAlex Ponti
StarringLee Majors
Karen Black
Margaux Hemingway
Marisa Berenson
James Franciscus
CinematographyAlberto Spagnoli
Edited byCesare D'Amico
Music byGuido De Angelis
Maurizio De Angelis
Production
companies
Fawcett-Majors Productions
Victoria Productions
Filmar do Brasil
Distributed byParis Filmes
ITC Entertainment[1]
Release date
  • 7 December 1979 (1979-12-07)
Running time
101 minutes
CountriesItaly
France
Brazil
LanguagesEnglish
Portuguese
Italian

Killer Fish is a horror film directed by Antonio Margheriti.[2][3]

Plot

[edit]

The mastermind behind a precision theft of priceless emeralds decides to hide the jewels at the bottom of a reservoir he has secretly stocked with savage deadly piranha. Retrieving the gems turns out to be a caper in itself since the group is now torn by suspicion and jealousy. Several gang members try to recover the loot on their own, only to become screaming victims of the insatiable horde of killer fish. The treasure is down there just waiting to be brought up. To get them, everyone must face the inescapable terror of thousands of man-eating creatures.

Cast

[edit]

Filming

[edit]

The film was made on location in the city of Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[3]

Reception

[edit]

The Monthly Film Bulletin stated that the film "appears to have a greater budget than Piranha" and that it "exhibits considerably less imagination".[4] Vincent Canby of The New York Times stated that the film "may not be a good movie — it's really inept—but it's friendly, like Mr. Majors's quizzical squint, which is, I'm told by people who watch more television than I do, what Mr. Majors does best. Everyone, in fact, carries on gamely, as people do at a picnic when it rains."[5]

Legacy

[edit]

The film is one of six movies featured in Season 12 of Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Gauntlet.[6]

The film was broadcast on Tele 5 as part of the programme format SchleFaZ in season 1.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Killer Fish

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Killer Fish is a 1979 Italian-French-Brazilian horror directed by , who used the pseudonym Anthony M. Dawson. The story centers on a gang of jewel thieves led by a cunning criminal who hides a fortune in emeralds at the bottom of a piranha-infested lake in , sparking betrayal, pursuit, and deadly encounters with the voracious fish. Clocking in at 101 minutes and rated PG, the film blends elements of heist drama and animal attack horror, drawing comparisons to Jaws through its aquatic peril. The cast features prominent actors of the era, including as the rugged leader Lasky, as the resourceful Kate Neville, as the glamorous model Gabrielle, as the scheming Paul Diller, and as the elegant Ann. Produced by Alex Ponti for companies such as Medusa Distribuzione and Victoria Pictures, Killer Fish was filmed on location in to capture authentic and settings. Written by Michael Rogers, the screenplay emphasizes tension among the criminals as they dive into dangerous waters, heightening the stakes with the piranhas' relentless attacks. Upon release, Killer Fish received mixed reviews for its blend of suspense and B-movie thrills but has since gained a , particularly after its appearance in the comedy series . With an audience score of 11% on , it is noted for its campy excitement and the era's fascination with killer animal tropes. Alternative titles include Deadly Treasure of the Piranha and , reflecting its international distribution.

Narrative and Characters

Plot

In Killer Fish, a gang of jewel thieves led by the cunning Paul Diller executes a daring of priceless emeralds from a Brazilian mining facility, using explosives to hijack a transport and secure the loot in a waterproof container. To safeguard the treasure from potential betrayals, Diller secretly introduces a school of carnivorous into the artificial reservoir where the emeralds are submerged, planning for the gang to reunite after 60 days for retrieval. The group disperses, including members Kate Neville, , Hans, Warren, and Lloyd, leaving tensions simmering beneath their fragile alliance. Sixty days later, the thieves reassemble and charter a boat, enlisting local guide Robert Lasky to navigate the treacherous waters of the reservoir. Unbeknownst to most, the piranhas have proliferated into a deadly swarm, turning the dive site into a fatal trap. As the gang prepares to recover the emeralds, a violent hurricane strikes the region, breaching the dam and unleashing the piranhas into the surrounding river system and nearby tourist areas. This catastrophe strands the thieves when their boat collides with a paddle steamer used for a fashion photoshoot, forcing them to merge with a group of innocent bystanders, including photographer Tom, model Gabrielle, and her friend Ann. As the combined group seeks refuge on the sinking steamer amid rising floodwaters, and fracture the gang: members accuse each other of plotting to claim the emeralds solo, leading to violent confrontations and abandonments. The piranhas launch relentless attacks, methodically killing off the thieves one by one— is devoured during a desperate swim, Hans falls victim while trying to signal for help, and Warren perishes in a submerged —escalating the horror in the isolated Amazonian setting. Innocent characters like Gabrielle and Ann become entangled in , witnessing the gang's descent into while Lasky uses his knowledge of the waters to fend off the fish with makeshift barriers and flares. The narrative builds tension through the 101-minute runtime, shifting from the calculated heist opener to suspenseful retrieval attempts, culminating in a claustrophobic finale on the crumbling steamer. In the resolution, betrayals lead to Diller's death by while attempting to claim the emeralds alone; Kate secures a portion of the treasure through deception, while Lasky and some survivors escape the chaos, leaving the piranhas to ravage unchecked.

Cast

The principal cast of Killer Fish (1979) is an international ensemble blending American television and film stars with European talent, reflecting the film's Italian-French-Brazilian co-production. stars as Robert Lasky, a local guide whose knowledge of the river proves crucial during the gang's attempt to retrieve hidden emeralds from an infested lake. portrays Kate Neville, Diller's girlfriend and a member of the gang involved in the heist and retrieval. James Franciscus plays Paul Diller, the shrewd mastermind and gang leader who orchestrates the initial heist and double-crosses his accomplices by concealing the loot in the piranha-filled reservoir. appears as Gabrielle, a vacationing at a nearby resort whose path intersects with the unfolding chaos, marking one of her prominent roles shortly after her rise to fame as a model and actress in films like (1976). co-stars as Ann, Gabrielle's manager, adding to the film's glamorous resort subplot. Supporting the leads are American actors in key gang and resort roles, including as Warren, the physically imposing enforcer; as Ollie, the team's explosives specialist; and Gary Collins as Tom, the resort owner entangled in the conflict. The cast's diverse nationalities—dominated by U.S. performers alongside Italian director and Brazilian filming locations—underscore the production's multinational scope, with local Brazilian actors filling out minor parts to enhance authenticity.

Production

Development

The screenplay for Killer Fish was penned by Michael Rogers, who crafted a narrative inspired by Jaws-style while centering the story on a piranha-driven heist thriller. During , the project cycled through several working titles—"Greed," "," and "Deadly Treasure of the Piranha"—before producers finalized Killer Fish to emphasize its horror- hybrid appeal. The film was an international co-production involving companies such as Italy's Cinematografica, France's Renn Productions, and Brazil's Filmar do Brasil, reflecting the era's trend of multinational financing for to pool resources and expand market reach. Its was reportedly larger than that of the contemporary piranha horror Piranha (1978), allowing for more ambitious underwater sequences and an international cast, though exact figures remain unconfirmed in production records. Director , drawing from his extensive background in thrillers and science-fiction spectacles, conceived Killer Fish as a fusion of tense heist mechanics with visceral aquatic horror, aiming to capitalize on the post-Jaws appetite for monster-in-the-water tales while subverting expectations with criminal intrigue. To anchor the action-hero lead, producers selected , leveraging his established television persona from *.

Filming

Principal photography for Killer Fish commenced in 1978 and was conducted primarily on location in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, with additional scenes shot in Rio de Janeiro. The production team selected coastal and reservoir areas to simulate the film's piranha-infested waters, leveraging the lush Brazilian scenery for authenticity in depicting a remote jungle-like setting. Filming entirely in Brazil presented logistical hurdles due to the remote locations and limited budget, which prioritized expenditures on high-profile cast, accommodations, and daily allowances over advanced effects work. The humid tropical climate and local wildlife added to on-set difficulties; actor later recounted an incident where a disrupted a nighttime social gathering at a , highlighting the unpredictable environmental hazards. Similarly, star received personal news of his then-wife Farrah Fawcett's affair with amid the shoot, contributing to a tense atmosphere. Technical aspects emphasized practical effects to capture the horror elements, including rear-screen projection and miniatures for action sequences like boat chases and a burst. attacks relied on crude practical methods, such as flopping fish props, blood squibs, and suspended fake fish for underwater shots, supplemented by for explosions to economize. Director , drawing on his experience with low-budget genre films, improvised around these constraints to integrate the heist with the aquatic threats.

Release and Response

Distribution

Killer Fish premiered in Italy in January 1979, marking its initial theatrical release in its country of production. The film subsequently opened in on June 30, 1979, and made its North American debut in the United States on December 7, 1979. In , distribution was managed by , a company specializing in international films for the U.S. market. Internationally, oversaw the rollout, facilitating releases across and primarily in 1980. As an Italian-French-Brazilian co-production involving Filmar do Brasil, the film benefited from enhanced local promotion and streamlined distribution in Brazilian markets. Marketing campaigns emphasized the film's piranha-based horror and the appeal of its leading stars, including and , through theatrical posters depicting underwater threats and adventure elements. Promotional taglines, such as "The adventure that drags you in, pulls you under and tears you apart!", highlighted the suspenseful narrative to draw audiences to theaters. Its B-movie positioning resulted in a limited , focusing on select urban and drive-in theaters rather than a broad nationwide saturation.

Reception

Upon its release, Killer Fish received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who often highlighted its formulaic nature as a low-budget entry in the post-Jaws creature feature genre. Vincent Canby of The New York Times described the film as "really inept" in its execution but noted its "friendly" tone, likening it to the quizzical charm of star Lee Majors. The film underperformed at the box office, earning just $79,330 domestically as a B-movie overshadowed by major 1979 releases such as Alien and Apocalypse Now. This limited financial success underscored its status as a modest international co-production, unable to compete with higher-profile blockbusters. Critics frequently compared Killer Fish unfavorably to Jaws (1975) and , faulting its reliance on predictable thrills like piranha attacks without the tension or satire that elevated those films. Despite these shortcomings, some reviewers acknowledged its campy appeal, with elements like over-the-top action sequences and a star-studded cast contributing to its guilty-pleasure vibe. Audience reception has been lukewarm but enduring, reflected in an average rating of 4.2/10 from over 2,500 user votes, where viewers often praise its cheesy entertainment value despite acknowledging its flaws. Over time, the film has cultivated a niche among horror enthusiasts for its "so-bad-it's-good" qualities and loony heist-piranha hybrid premise.

Cultural Impact

Legacy

Killer Fish has gained a niche following through its appearances in media parody formats. The film was featured in the twelfth season of , specifically episode 1205 titled "Killer Fish," which aired on November 22, 2018, as part of the show's "Gauntlet" marathon of six films. In , it was broadcast on Tele 5's parody program during season 1 on August 16, 2013, where it was presented under the title Cai-Piranha with comedic commentary. The film contributed to the late and wave of piranha-themed horror movies, blending heist thriller elements with creature attacks in a manner that echoed and extended the success of (1978), while prefiguring sequels like Piranha II: The Spawning (1981). It has been cited in horror retrospectives as an example of international , particularly Italian "Spaghetti Horror" productions that capitalized on global B-movie trends. In modern reevaluations as of 2025, Killer Fish experiences occasional streaming revivals on platforms like , sustaining interest among genre fans. The film aired on TV on July 25, 2025. Fan discussions on , where it holds an average rating of 2.2 out of 5 based on over 2,450 reviews, often highlight its B-movie charm, campy effects, and ensemble cast despite narrative flaws. While no major remakes have emerged, it maintains minor status, particularly among enthusiasts of director Margheriti's work, bolstered by its MST3K exposure.

Home Media

The film was first made available on in the early 1980s through releases, including a 1986 edition featuring the cast including and . DVD versions followed in the and , with Scorpion Releasing issuing a standard edition in 2014 that included minimal extras such as a photo gallery. Blu-ray editions emerged in the , starting with Scorpion Releasing's 2014 release, which offered improved video quality from the original negative but no additional supplements beyond basic audio options. Limited international Blu-ray variants include a 2020 German DigiBook edition by Astro Records, featuring region B compatibility and PAL formatting. As of 2025, no official 4K UHD restoration has been produced. Digital streaming options became available in the , with the film accessible on platforms such as (free with ads), (free with ads), Shout! Factory via Channel, Plex, and . International home media includes Portuguese-dubbed editions for the Brazilian market, reflecting the film's co-production origins, and various European releases with localized audio tracks, such as dubbed German versions. Due to the film's cult obscurity and limited print runs, early tapes and out-of-print DVDs have become collectible among giallo and horror enthusiasts, often commanding higher prices on secondary markets. Fan-subtitled versions circulate online for international audiences interested in the director Antonio Margheriti's style.

References

  1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/killer_fish
  2. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/80250/killer-fish
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077800/
  4. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/killer_fish/cast-and-crew
  5. https://horror.fandom.com/wiki/Killer_Fish_(1979)
  6. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077800/fullcredits/
  7. https://goodefficientbutchery.blogspot.com/2014/10/cult-classics-revisited-killer-fish-1979.html
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077800/companycredits/
  9. https://horror.fandom.com/wiki/Killer_Fish_%281979%29
  10. https://www.sensesofcinema.com/2004/great-directors/margheriti/
  11. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077800/locations
  12. https://neptsdepths.blogspot.com/2021/12/try-to-catch-this-fish.html
  13. http://www.coolasscinema.com/2008/10/killer-fish-1978-review.html
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077800/releaseinfo/
  15. https://www.grindhousedatabase.com/index.php/Killer_Fish
  16. https://letterboxd.com/film/killer-fish/
  17. https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/745724/rise-and-fall-of-itc-films
  18. https://www.nytimes.com/1979/12/07/archives/screen-human-prey-menaced-in-killer-fishthe-plastic-skeleton.html
  19. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Killer-Fish
  20. https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/year/1979
  21. https://dailydead.com/drive-in-dust-offs-killer-fish-1979/
  22. https://meathookcinema.com/2023/01/22/review-killer-fish-1979/
  23. https://mst3k.fandom.com/wiki/MST3K_1205_-_Killer_Fish
  24. https://www.rockshockpop.com/articles/movies-aa/375968-killer-fish
  25. https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-best-killer-fish-movies/
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylOJ87-pQr8
  27. https://www.creaturefeaturestv.com/videos/cff-99-cftv
  28. https://www.amazon.com/Killerfish-VHS-Lee-Majors/dp/6302638852
  29. https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Fish-Lee-Majors/dp/B00LCT48UQ
  30. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Killer-Fish-Blu-ray/106580/
  31. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Killer-Fish-Blu-ray/278176/
  32. https://www.ebay.com/itm/174992392255
  33. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/killer-fish
  34. https://tubitv.com/movies/452489/killer-fish-deadly-treasure-of-the-piranha
  35. https://reelgood.com/movie/killer-fish-1979
  36. https://rarevhsandlaserdiscs.com/products/killer-fish-1979-japanese-vhs
  37. https://www.ebay.com/p/27046022976
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