Venom (1982)

40% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(2,937 ratings)

A big black mamba snake that has gotten loose in a townhouse slithers through a kidnapping plot in this film. Based on a novel by Alan Scholefield, Venom features a big name British cast that seems to be slumming in a B-movie project. Dr. Marion Stowe (Sarah Miles) is a toxicologist who has brought… More A big black mamba snake that has gotten loose in a townhouse slithers through a kidnapping plot in this film. Based on a novel by Alan Scholefield, Venom features a big name British cast that seems to be slumming in a B-movie project. Dr. Marion Stowe (Sarah Miles) is a toxicologist who has brought the snake to London to study the properties of its deadly venom. It escapes and terrorizes the inhabitants of the townhouse, where an attempted kidnapping is in progress. Dave (Oliver Reed), Jacmel (Klaus Kinski) and Louise (Susan George) are the villains trying to hold the son of a wealthy family for ransom. Original director Tobe Hooper was replaced by Piers Haggard. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Piers Haggard
Genres: Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Cult Movies

In Theaters: Jan 29, 1981 Wide
On DVD: Jul 29, 2003

Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Kinski is his typical insane self, but this killer snake thriller lacks bite.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Pretty darn funny, but I don't think that was the idea.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

It feels kind of like Panic Room, except instead of Dwight Yoakam it has a Black Mamba. With a cast like Kinski, Reed and Hayden I can only the onset shenanigans were insane. Also notable for a couple reasons. *Kinski decided to do this instead of Raiders (he said Spielberg's… More
It feels kind of like Panic Room, except instead of Dwight Yoakam it has a Black Mamba. With a cast like Kinski, Reed and Hayden I can only the onset shenanigans were insane. Also notable for a couple reasons. *Kinski decided to do this instead of Raiders (he said Spielberg's script was "moronically shitty") *it's amazing DP Gilbert Taylor (Star Wars, Hard Days Night and Dr. Strangelove) *It inspried QT to put a mamba in Kill Bill vol. 2 *It's Sterling Hayden's last film appearance
Barry L

I saw this as young kid on a Friday night and it scared the living daylights out of me for years. Okay it will be as cheezy as hell now but the way the film is directed at the time was legendary. It was creepy, it was full of suspense and the way Reed gets it at the end will give you… More
I saw this as young kid on a Friday night and it scared the living daylights out of me for years. Okay it will be as cheezy as hell now but the way the film is directed at the time was legendary. It was creepy, it was full of suspense and the way Reed gets it at the end will give you the willies even today....great film.

Cast

            Klaus Kinski as Jacmel

            Oliver Reed as Dave

            Nicol Williamson as Comd. William Bulloch

            Sarah Miles as Dr. Marion Stowe

            Sterling Hayden as Howard Anderson

            Lance Holcomb as Philip Hopkins

            Cornelia Sharpe as Ruth Hopkins

            Susan George as Louise

            Michael Gough as David Ball

            Cyril Conway as Man in 17

            Charles Cork as Driver's Mate

            Arnold Diamond as Headwaiter

            John Forbes-Robertson as Sgt. Nash

            Mike Gwilym as Detective Constable Dan Spencer

            Edward Hardwicke as Lord Dunning

            Hugh Lloyd as Taxi Driver

            Peter Porteous as Hodges

            Eric Richard as Airline Clerk

            David Sterne as Driver

            Rita Webb as Mrs. Lowenthal

            Paul Williamson as Detective Sgt. Glazer

            Nicholas Donnelly as Police Superintendent

            Alan Ford as Peters

            Moti Makan as Murkerjee

            Tony Meyer as Martin

            Maurice Colbourne as Sampson

            Michael Watkins as Rogers
See full cast

Venom (1982)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

Barry L

Cast