Idiot-Deluxe Orca, the best of the Italian-made aqua-schlock epics.The 1977 film Orca is several things, first-off it was clearly made to cash in on the Jaws-mania that was sweeping the world at the time, as this movie borrows liberally from that (infinitely better) movie, by copying much of it's formula. Then there's the palpably obvious Captain Ahab/Moby Dick under-current to mention, which only intensifies as things progress. And by movies end the whale has lead us into northern climes in a sort of prolonged match of follow the leader, which eventually sets the stage for a hilariously ridiculous finale - when our hero briefly becomes airborne. I must say that after finally seeing this movie from start to finish, that it's not quite as bad as I initially thought and when you combine that with the fact that for an Italian-made Jaws rip-off/cash-in, Orca is amazingly enough, a surprisingly well produced and professional looking film... much better than say for instance "The Last Shark" (but that's a whole other review) a movie born from similar origins and motivations, but not nearly as well conceived or as original as what we have with Orca.Orca is for the most part a ridiculous, though thoroughly entertaining piece of film-making. But truth be told, I find it to be a bit of a slow starter, but once it gets going Orca is simply loaded to the gills with scene after scene depicting some of the most flagrantly unrealistic animal behavior ever captured on film; but it does so in such a gloriously over-the-top way that it's an utter delight to behold. Orca's unique sense of visual flair and eye-rolling animal encounters should have you reeling & rolling in waves upon waves of side-splitting laughter. IT IS that ridiculous. For comparisons sake the animal behavior that's seen throughout this movie, makes whats seen in any of the Jaws films look like perfectly natural every day occurrences. Also just like in Jaws, the beast in this movie possesses a vindictive, almost human, mind-set, which allows it to carry out numerous feats of revenge, in often visually spectacular fashion and on that note props must be given to the films effects crew, because as you'll see the special effects are easily the best aspect of the movie.The cast is really not bad at all and Richard Harris does an excellent Quint impersonation (both Englishmen by the way, not a coincidence) and then there's Charlotte Rampling (a female variant of Matt Hooper) who plays the role of the concerned marine biologist/conservationist, she's a bit of a complicated puzzle, due to the fact that she seems to have two personalities; at first she's harsh and antagonistic, scrutinizing his every move, but later she evidently changes her mind all together and becomes "part of the team" and once that has happened a grand hunt gets under way. Which leads us to the films conclusion, now here, sadly, it's at this point that I must say that the movie loses some of it's steam and literally cools-off as the films utter ridiculousness ebbs just a bit. But don't worry because this IS Orca we're talking about and rest assured that the films best aspect is there till the bitter end. Simply put Orca is loaded with many high-light moments of carnage and beastly bravado, so much so that you'll never quite look at killer whales the same way again.Musically speaking, while it's no Jaws, Orca does have a pretty effective score, composed by the legendary Italian film-maestro Ennio Morricone (who turns 89 years young today > 11/10/17).Also be sure to keep an eye out for a smokin' hot, young Bo Derrick, the short hair really does seem to work for her, as opposed to her iconic braids - you know the picture.Once it's all said and done and with all jokes aside my message to you is this: If you love ludicrously ridiculous cinematic-cheese all I can say is that Orca is not to be missed! It truly is one of the best of the worst. Period.Ideally I'd end this review with a nautical quip, but as a life-long landlubber I've got nothing.

Julian R. White This film was made during a time when Orca whales were not too well studied and known about. That being said, it puts a whole different sense of fear into the one watching the film. I'll call this the "boat scene" when a key point in the movie occurs, which is one of the most disturbing scenes in any film I have ever seen. It leaves you with a feeling of sorrow and pity for the antagonist (or protagonist?) and can only imagine the pain he must be feeling. The movie is so complex in its situations that it leaves the viewer with mixed feelings on who the overall winner should be. It remains one of the best marine horror movies in my book. I definitely recommend it.

bankofmarquis This is a "paycheck" movie in every sense of the word starting with the scenery chewing lead performance by Richard Harris. Add in Keenan Wynne (as a wily old seaman), Will Sampson (as a wise Inuit), a young Bo Derek (as the requisite "cute girl") and you have the makings of a cookie cutter studio film designed to cash in on the Jaws phenomenon. Only Charlotte Rampling, as Marine Biologist Rachel Bedford (the Matt Hooper of this film) rises above the drek of this film. It is one to avoid.5 (out of 10) stars - and I'm being generous - and you can take that from the Bank (ofMarquis). PLEASE...take this from the BankofMarquis!

Scarecrow-88 Surprisingly good "killer mammal over the open sea" flick which happened to follow only two years after a certain film directed by Steven Spielberg about a predatory killer Great White. That bit of misfortune plagues what is otherwise a rather nifty "nature goes a killin'" horror flick. Good casting is especially in this film's favor. Richard Harris is really a very valuable anchor for the film (pun intended) while Charlotte Rampling was another bit of solid casting that helps to bring some real acting chops to what can viewed as "just another one of those Jaws rip-offs". Ultimately this is about revenge on the mind of a male killer whale after Harris's captain accidentally kills its pregnant female mate trying to capture it with a harpoon. Knicking the fin of the male, this "mark of identification" lets the viewer know (when the whale doesn't leap from the water to recognize its presence to those he wants to see his handiwork (like causing boats to sink after attacking them or causing a nearby fishing village factory to go kaboom) when the whale is hanging around. The fetus spilling from the rope-caught female with large cuts on its torso onto Harris' deck is horrifying (as it should be), reminding of him of his loss of wife and child to a drunk driver.Rampling is a marine scientist with extensive knowledge of whales. She tries to reason with Harris over confronting the killer whale, soon realizing that fisherman and whale are fated to meet in a violent conclusion. This near a polar region with ice bergs. Will Sampson arrives in the film a little later to try and convince Harris that if he doesn't "do battle" with the whale that the fishing village would turn on him due to its detriment to their livelihood. The whale's antics include snatching Rampling's assistant (Robert Carradine; Revenge of the Nerds), and two of Harris' fishermen (Keenan Wynn, basically wasted but proving how active he was even as he was aging, and Peter Hooten) while on the water. A rather startling but effective attack on a rental home overlooking the sea has the whale biting off Bo Derek's casted leg in perhaps its most memorable scene. Speaking of Bo, she isn't used much (I just assumed the filmmakers would try to get her beautiful looks in as much as possible), although her fate is quite a shocker. Harris really lifts this film with a performance that Orca needs in order to be even in the conversation with Jaws. His teetering on the edge, influenced greatly by Rampling's appeals for the whale, as the two attempt futilely to avoid a fight on the open sea, shows that he isn't just some thoughtless, honorless, heartless sociopath. And a good scene has Harris contemplating to Rampling about why he wanted to capture the male whale and how doing so has cost him so much. Morricone's score also adds dramatic weight and power to the film. The opening with the male and female whales (soon to be parted and destroyed by Harris' carelessness) rising from the water as the sun peeks from clouds is a jaw-dropper. Along with Pirhana, I think Orca is one of the best of the emerging killer fish/mammal water flicks to show up after Jaws. There have been so many rotten apples that came out of the aftermath of Jaws, but I think Orca is one of the few decent efforts of the swarm. The killer whale dismantling the shark at the beginning, saving Carradine (only later to kill him; irony at its darkest) in the process, an amusing message that speaks loud and clear regarding the attempt to pound the chest towards Jaws. The animatronic whales are incredible in their lifelike-ness.