A pet baby alligator is flushed down a toilet and survives in the city sewers. Twelve years later, it grows to an enormous size thanks to a diet of discarded laboratory dogs injected with growth hormones. Now, humans have entered the menu.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 3 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Robert Forster | ... |
David Madison
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| Robin Riker | ... |
Marisa Kendall
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| Michael V. Gazzo | ... |
Chief Clark
(as Michael Gazzo)
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| Dean Jagger | ... |
Slade
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| Sydney Lassick | ... |
Luke Gutchel
(as Sidney Lassick)
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| Jack Carter | ... |
Mayor
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| Perry Lang | ... |
Officer Jim Kelly
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| Henry Silva | ... |
Col. Brock
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| Bart Braverman | ... |
Kemp
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John Lisbon Wood | ... |
Mad Bomber
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James Ingersoll | ... |
Scientist Arthur Helms
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Robert Doyle | ... |
Bill
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Patti Jerome | ... |
Madeline
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| Angel Tompkins | ... |
Newswoman
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| Sue Lyon | ... |
ABC Newswoman
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Leslie Brown | ... |
Young Marisa
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| Buckley Norris | ... |
Bob
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| Royce D. Applegate | ... |
Callan
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Tom Kindle | ... |
Announcer
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Jim Brockett | ... |
Gator Wrestler
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Simmy Bow | ... |
Seedy
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Jim Boeke | ... |
Shamsky
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| Stan Haze | ... |
Meyer
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| James Arone | ... |
Sloan
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| Peter Miller | ... |
Sgt. Rice
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Pat Petersen | ... |
Joey
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| Micole Mercurio | ... |
Joey's Mother
(as Micol)
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Frederick Long | ... |
Sparks
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Ed Brodow | ... |
Ross
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Larry Margo | ... |
Stanley
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Philip Luther | ... |
Purdy
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| John F. Goff | ... |
Ashe
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Elizabeth Halsey | ... |
Policewoman
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Barry Chase | ... |
Policeman 1
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| Richard Partlow | ... |
Policeman 2
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Jerado Decordovier | ... |
Gator Vendor 1
(as Jeradio De Cordovier)
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| Vincent Albert DiStefano | ... |
Gator Vendor 3
(as Vincent De Stefano)
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JoJo D'Amore | ... |
Gator Vendor 4
(as Jo Jo D'Amore)
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Bella Bruck | ... |
Dot
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Kendall Carly Browne | ... |
Nurse Ann
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Danny Baseda | ... |
Radioman
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Tink Williams | ... |
Hector
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| Corkey Ford | ... |
Chi Chi
(as Corky Ford)
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Charles R. Penland | ... |
Tyrone
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Anita Keith | ... |
Old Lady
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| Mike Mazurki | ... |
Gatekeeper
(as Michael Mazurki)
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Margaret Muse | ... |
Society Matron
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Michael Misita | ... |
Reporter 1
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Harold Greene | ... |
Reporter 2
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Jim Alquist | ... |
Reporter 3
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Margie Platt | ... |
Bride
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Nike Zachmanoglou | ... |
Maid at Party
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| Gloria Morrison | ... |
Woman at Bar-B-Que
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Robert Hammond | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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| Kane Hodder | ... |
Alligator (uncredited)
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Dana MacDuff | ... |
Punk (uncredited)
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Amy Panter | ... |
Party Guest (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Lewis Teague | ||
Written by
| John Sayles | ... | (screenplay) |
| John Sayles | ... | (story) and |
| Frank Ray Perilli | ... | (story) |
Produced by
| Robert S. Bremson | ... | executive producer |
| Brandon Chase | ... | producer |
| Tom Jacobson | ... | associate producer |
| Mark L. Rosen | ... | producer |
Music by
| Craig Huxley | ... | (as Craig Hundley) |
Cinematography by
| Joseph Mangine | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Larry Bock | ||
| Ron Medico | ... | (as Ronald Medico) |
Editorial Department
| Patricia Summers | ... | assistant editor (as Pat Summers) |
| Bill Williams | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Geno Havens | ||
| Lori Rabin | ||
Art Direction by
| Michael Erler | ||
Set Decoration by
| Cyd Smyllie | ... | (as Cyd A. Smillie) |
Makeup Department
| Sue Dolph | ... | hair stylist / makeup artist |
| Robert Short | ... | special effects makeup |
Production Management
| Marianne Chase | ... | executive in charge of production |
| Tom Jacobson | ... | production manager |
| Maurice Marks | ... | production manager: second unit |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Miller Drake | ... | second unit director |
| Lisa Marmon | ... | second assistant director |
| Paul Stader | ... | second unit director |
| Jerram A. Swartz | ... | assistant director |
Art Department
| Kenneth Coontz | ... | assistant property master (as Ken Coontz) |
| Tomas DeSoto | ... | set dresser |
| Michael Farr | ... | set dresser |
| Richard Charles Greenbaum | ... | assistant art director (as Richard Greenbaum) |
| Dan Morski | ... | property master |
Sound Department
| Art Names | ... | production sound (as Arthur Names) |
| Biff Yeager | ... | boom operator |
Special Effects by
| David Bartholomew | ... | special effects |
| David Beasley | ... | special effects |
| Pete Gerard | ... | special effects |
| Richard O. Helmer | ... | special effects coordinator |
| John Ramsay Jr. | ... | special effects (as John Ramsey) |
| William Shourt | ... | special effects (as William F. Shourt) |
Visual Effects by
| Bill Kaufman | ... | miniatures |
| Michael Douglas Middleton | ... | visual effects still photographer (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Bruce Paul Barbour | ... | stunt performer (as Bruce Barbour) |
| Michael Cassidy | ... | stunt performer |
| Dottie Catching | ... | stunt performer |
| Tom Clardy | ... | stunt performer |
| Roger Creed | ... | stunt performer |
| Kenny Endoso | ... | stunt performer |
| Diamond Farnsworth | ... | stunt performer (as Hill Farnsworth) |
| Dale E. House | ... | stunt performer (as Dale House) |
| Conrad E. Palmisano | ... | stunt coordinator (as Conrad Palmisano) |
| Bobby Sargent | ... | stunt performer |
| Rick Seaman | ... | stunt performer (as Richard D. Seaman) |
| Peter Stader | ... | stunt performer |
| Tom Steele | ... | stunt performer |
| Jack Tyree | ... | stunt performer |
| Cindy Wills | ... | stunt performer (as Cindy L. Wil) |
| Harry Wowchuk | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Assaf Amir | ... | electrician |
| Hanania Baer | ... | director of photography: second unit |
| Jack Cooperman | ... | underwater photographer |
| Tony Cunha | ... | still photographer |
| Doug Curtis | ... | electrician |
| Sam Gart | ... | first assistant camera |
| Dwight Joseph Lavers | ... | grip (as Dwight La Vers) |
| Ray Maichen | ... | grip |
| Ron McCausland | ... | key grip |
| Udi Rimer | ... | electrician |
| David Schmier | ... | camera operator |
| Gary Shore | ... | electrician |
| Mark Simon | ... | assistant camera |
| Peter Smokler | ... | director of photography: second unit |
| Thomas Vanghele | ... | second assistant camera |
| Terry Wimmer | ... | grip (as Terrance Wimmer) |
| Moshe Yakobovesky | ... | gaffer |
| Wayne Baker | ... | underwater camera assistant (uncredited) |
| Arthur Krauss | ... | camera operator: second unit (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Charlie Messenger | ... | extras casting (as Charles Messenger) |
| Chris Trainer | ... | extras casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Audrey Kasof | ... | second assistant wardrobe |
| Michael Rouse | ... | first assistant wardrobe |
| Constance Sech | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
Location Management
| Jacqueline Zambrano | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Marston Smith | ... | musician: cello |
Script and Continuity Department
| Laurie Cohn | ... | script supervisor (as Laurie M. Cohn) |
Transportation Department
| Duncan Brine | ... | transportation coordinator |
| David De Carlo | ... | transportation captain |
| John Panzarella | ... | transportation coordinator |
Additional Crew
| Larry Ackerman | ... | production accountant |
| Elizabeth Dale Baer | ... | production assistant (as Dale Baer) |
| Kevin Blackton | ... | gator operator |
| Jim Brockett | ... | animal provider |
| Richard Casey | ... | production assistant |
| Grace Dennis | ... | production accountant |
| Dominic Ferlan | ... | craft service |
| Thomas Goeken | ... | gator operator (as Tom Goeken) |
| Ralph Helfer | ... | animal supervisor: Gentle Jungle [us] |
| John Hungerford | ... | production assistant |
| Steve Jerrom | ... | production assistant (as Stephen Jerrom) |
| Dana MacDuff | ... | production assistant |
| Randi Maurer | ... | production coordinator |
| Steve McMillian | ... | production assistant (as Stephen McMillin) |
| Pete Robinson | ... | production assistant |
| Van Spaulding | ... | production assistant |
| Kent Adamson | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Gale Anne Hurd | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Ben Stansbury | ... | alligator effects (uncredited) |
| Jack Wallner | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Mike Brenner | ... | grateful appreciation |
| Tom Hicks | ... | grateful appreciation |
| Leslie Morson | ... | grateful appreciation |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Group 1 International Distribution (1980) (United States) (theatrical)
- Saguenay Films (1981) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Alpha Films (1981) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Gaumont (1982) (France) (theatrical)
- Roadshow Films (1981) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Europa Film (1981) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Doperfilme (1981) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Gofilex (1981) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. Pictures (1981) (Argentina) (theatrical) (through)
- Warner-Columbia Films (1981) (Argentina) (theatrical) (through Warner Bros. Pictures Argentina)
- Warner-Columbia Filmverleih (1981) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Home Box Office (HBO) (1981) (United States) (tv) (pay television)
- Alpha Films (1982) (United Kingdom) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Triangelfilm (1982) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1982) (Brazil) (theatrical)
- Warner Española S.A. (1982) (Spain) (theatrical)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1982) (United States) (tv) (broadcast premiere)
- Jaguar Video (West Germany) (VHS)
- SK Video Film (West Germany) (VHS)
- Catalina Home Video (1983) (United States) (VHS)
- EuroVideo (1983) (West Germany) (VHS)
- Video Screen (1983) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- Video Universal (1983) (Mexico) (VHS)
- Roadshow Home Video (1984) (Australia) (VHS)
- Lightning Video (1986) (United States) (VHS)
- Avid Home Entertainment (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- MCP Video (1991) (Germany) (VHS)
- Astro Distribution (1999) (Germany) (VHS)
- Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2000) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Key DVD (2002) (United States) (DVD)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (UK) (2003) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Atlantic Film (2003) (Sweden) (DVD)
- The Sci-Fi Channel (2003) (United States) (tv)
- Future Film (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
- Laser Paradise (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
- Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- '84 Entertainment (2011) (Germany) (DVD)
- marketing-film (2013) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Scream Factory (2022) (United States) (Blu-ray) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- Mediacs (2023) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Mediacs (2023) (Germany) (DVD)
- Mediacs (2023) (Germany) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
Special Effects
- Film Effects of Hollywood (special effect opticals)
Other Companies
- Neiman-Tillar Associates (music post-production)
- Neiman-Tillar Associates (creative sound)
- Martin Roberts & Associates Inc. (public relations)
- Jack Rabin & Associates (titles)
- Gentle Jungle (animals supplied by)
- Production Service Consultants (location equipment)
- Motion Picture Marine (yachts and marine coordination)
- Roscoe Food Service Inc. (catering)
- Film Train (extras casting)
- The Stansbury Co. (original alligator created by)
- Glastron Carlson Boat Company (grateful appreciation)
- Mazda Motor Corporation (grateful appreciation)
- Schlitz Brewing Company (grateful appreciation)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Ramon the alligator is flushed down the toilet as a baby and grows into a gargantuan monster by eating the corpses of laboratory animals that have undergone dubious hormone experiments, thus providing all the ecological and social subtext that one could possibly wish for, even if one doesn't normally go for films about giant alligators eating people left, right, and center--which is the inevitable and tragic result of Ramon's decision that the outside world looks rather more interesting than the sewers..
Written by Michael Brooke |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Beneath those manholes, a man-eater is waiting ... See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $1,500,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | "Ramon," the often-malfunctioning animatronic alligator used in the film, was later donated to the Florida Gators of the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL as a team mascot. Ramon made several appearances before games and during halftime. See more » |
| Goofs | In the first shot of the giant alligator's eye, the entire film crew is reflected in it. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Alligator II: The Mutation (1991). See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Sue Lyon holds a microphone with the NBC logo including peacock clearly visible, yet in the end credits she is listed as "ABC Newswoman". See more » |
| Quotes |
Callan:
[David, Marisa and Callan are walking through the sewer system]
What the hell we looking for? David: Anything that looks like it doesn't belong here. Marisa: Uh, evidence of alligator nesting. Callan: I see, like shoes, handbags, luggage... See more » |