The Exterminator (1980)

22% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
40% of users liked it
(1,953 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

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: James Glickenhaus
Written By: James Glickenhaus
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Sep 19, 1980 Limited
On DVD: May 26, 1998
Studio: AVCO Embassy Pictures

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The Exterminator is a sick example of the almost unbelievable descent into gruesome savagery in American movies.
Variety Staff, Variety
An action film with little action. Contrived script instead opts for grotesque violence in a series of glum, distasteful scenes.
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.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
Prime revenge action cinema that will feed the appetites of fans of Dirty Harry and Charles Bronson...
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.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
One of the most wretched of all film genres is the vigilante justice movie, and this must-to-avoid Death Wish takeoff is one of the worst of its ilk.
John Esther, Pasadena Weekly
Right-wing nonsense
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
D-grade Death Wish leech.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Deathwish II meets Rambo III. Campy, cult-ish film that's just bad enough to be fun. Best viewed in a room full of lightly inebriated friends.
Christopher B

It's been a very long while since I've seen this one, but I still remember some parts vividly. Well done Vigilante film.

Cast

            Christopher George as Detective James Dalton

            Samantha Eggar as Dr. Megan Stewart

            Robert Ginty as John Eastland

            Steve James as Michael Jefferson

            Tony di Benedetto as Chicken Pimp

            Dick Boccelli as Gino Pontivini

            Patrick Farrelly as CIA Agent

            Michele Harrell as Maria Jefferson

            David Lipman as State Senator

            Cindy Wilks as Candy

            Dennis Boutsikaris as Frankie

            George Kee Cheung as Vietcong Leader

            Phil Chong as Vietcong Garrottee

            Louis Edmonds as CIA Chief

            Ned Eisenberg as Marty

            Tom Everett as Hotel Clerk

            Stan Getz as Himself

            Roger Grimsby as Himself

            Ryan Hilliard as SWAT #5

            Irwin Keyes as Bobby

            Gerald M. Kline as Massage Parlor Cop

            Ralph Monaco as Bartender

            Santos Morales as Police Captain

            Sean O'Rinn as Uniform Cop #4

            Kenny Endoso as Vietcong Fire Gag

            Frank Ferrara as Collector #1

            Paul G Hensler as Captured US Soldier

            Tony Munafo as Collector #2

            Webster Whinery as Sammy

            Lou David as Leaflet Man

            Joe Duquette as SWAT #2

            Clay Wright as US Pilot

            Robert King as Motorcyclist

            Paul Farentino as Message Cop (sic)

            Bill Saito as Vietcong AK-47

            Tony DiBenedetto
            
See full cast