The Exterminator (1980)
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22% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
40% of users liked it
(2,017 ratings)
A Vietnam veteran declares a one-man war on crime in this vigilante revenge thriller. Michael Jefferson (Steve James) saved the life of his best friend John Eastland (Robert Ginty) while the two were serving in Vietnam, so when Jefferson is left permanently paralyzed after a vicious attack by… More A Vietnam veteran declares a one-man war on crime in this vigilante revenge thriller. Michael Jefferson (Steve James) saved the life of his best friend John Eastland (Robert Ginty) while the two were serving in Vietnam, so when Jefferson is left permanently paralyzed after a vicious attack by muggers, Eastland is determined to get revenge. Declaring war not only on the thugs who injured Jefferson but the entire lawless underclass, Eastland becomes known as "The Exterminator" for his swift and deadly retaliation against muggers and other street criminals. While Eastland's actions may be making for safer streets, they're also illegal, and just as the mob have put a price on Eastland's head, Detective James Dalton (Christopher George) has set his sights on putting "The Exterminator" out of business. Jazz great Stan Getz makes a cameo appearance as himself. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- James Glickenhaus
- Written By
- James Glickenhaus
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
R,
- In Theaters
- Sep 19, 1980 Limited
- On DVD
- May 26, 1998
- Studio
- AVCO Embassy Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The Exterminator is a sick example of the almost unbelievable descent into gruesome savagery in American movies.
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Variety Staff, Variety
An action film with little action. Contrived script instead opts for grotesque violence in a series of glum, distasteful scenes.
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Tom Buckley, New York Times
Even connoisseurs of violence will be disappointed in The Exterminator since its grisly events are not actually shown on screen.
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Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
Prime revenge action cinema that will feed the appetites of fans of Dirty Harry and Charles Bronson...
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John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
As depicted literally here, going through the meat grinder is an apt metaphor for the Vietnam experience, and for the intended impact on audiences of movies like this one.
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Cast
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Christopher George
as Detective James Dalton
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Samantha Eggar
as Dr. Megan Stewart
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Robert Ginty
as John Eastland
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Steve James
as Michael Jefferson
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Tony di Benedetto
as Chicken Pimp
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Dick Boccelli
as Gino Pontivini
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Patrick Farrelly
as CIA Agent
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Michele Harrell
as Maria Jefferson
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David Lipman
as State Senator
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Cindy Wilks
as Candy
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Dennis Boutsikaris
as Frankie
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George Kee Cheung
as Vietcong Leader
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Phil Chong
as Vietcong Garrottee
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Louis Edmonds
as CIA Chief
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Ned Eisenberg
as Marty
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Tom Everett
as Hotel Clerk
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Stan Getz
as Himself
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Roger Grimsby
as Himself
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Ryan Hilliard
as SWAT #5
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Irwin Keyes
as Bobby
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Gerald M. Kline
as Massage Parlor Cop
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Ralph Monaco
as Bartender
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Santos Morales
as Police Captain
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Sean O'Rinn
as Uniform Cop #4
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Kenny Endoso
as Vietcong Fire Gag
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Frank Ferrara
as Collector #1
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Paul G Hensler
as Captured US Soldier
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Tony Munafo
as Collector #2
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Webster Whinery
as Sammy
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Lou David
as Leaflet Man
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Joe Duquette
as SWAT #2
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Clay Wright
as US Pilot
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Robert King
as Motorcyclist
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Paul Farentino
as Message Cop (sic)
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Bill Saito
as Vietcong AK-47
- Tony DiBenedetto
