Endangered Species
Tags: suspenseful, violence

Plot synopsis:
The film opens with another gym killing, yet another in a killing spree by an unknown person, who only attacks local spas and gyms. Among those investigating are Mike "Sully" Sullivan (Roberts), Wyznowski (Rhys-Davies) and Yamata (James W. Quinn) at the crime scene, Sully spots a mysterious man leaving, and does not believe him to be one of the police force. They find that there was one sole survivor, a young woman who hid in her locker, and is currently at the hospital, under heavy medication. While visiting her, Sully recognizes the same man from early, who actually questioned the young woman, as she believed him to be a cop. Sully and Wyznowski give chase, with Sulley eventually managing to take down the man with his own taser.
At the station, he still refuses to talk, but Sully stills believes him to be the killer. Unable to hold him, another attack takes place against a strip club, leaving many dead. While the police give chase, Sully sneaks into the man's apartment, discovering many alien gadgets. he finds many unseen corners when putting on a pair of glasses, but when he leaves, he ends up in the same car as the man, who is trying to take down the hunter. However, his truck is invisible, and Sully and warden put on their glasses to spot him. Warden tries to take out his tyres, and they both end up crashing. Sully shoots the hunter, but to no avail. Warden stops the hunter, but hesitates to kill him, allowing him to escape. Warden reveals he is the same species, and was unable to bring himself to kill him. However, an explosion severed the hunter's arm, which Sully takes for analysis while warden flees the scene.
Sully has also picked up some of the hunter's weapons, which he also turns over. while Yamata is analysing the arm, it attacks him, trying to choke him. The hunter then enters behind him, strangling him to death before re-attaching his arm. Meanwhile, Sully and Wyznowski learn that the guns bullets are capable of chasing people down like a heat seeking missile. Wyznowski is cynical and fires the gun, killing himself. Meanwhile, the hunter goes on a killing spree in the police station, taking each of guns along the way. Warden appears and manages to save Sully, while the hunter takes his bazooka and leaves.
That night, Sully finds Warden near a warehouse, but Warden reveals he had a trap set, until Sully came and ruined it. They argue about species, and Warden reveals that his kind killed the dinosaurs and made their skins into jackets, thus leaving their kind extinct. The hunter appears and attacks, causing the two to take shelter within the warehouse. Warden then sets the "auto destruct" on his spaceship in the warehouse. Warden tries to stop the hunter again, like he did earlier, but the hunter shoots him. Sully is then forced to play a deadly game of cat and mouse with the hunter, who captures him and prepares to kill him with a knife. Sully, however, manages to trick him into stabbing a fuse box, electrocuting and killing him. Sulley rushes back to Warden's side as he dies. The "auto destruct" begins its final countdown, with Sully running out of the warehouse as it blows up.
The film ends with Sully buying a puppy and mouse for his daughters and naming them Warden. as they go inside the house, Sully's wife looks up at the night sky, leaving us to wonder what else might lie amongst the stars.

Review: excellent and unorthodox film about conspiracy theory-type stuff.
this is a fascinating film.
I remember it vividly as my father took me to see it when I was about 12.
Come to think of it, my parents took me to see some really odd films when I was growing up in the early 80s.
Before I was even thirteen my parents took me to see such films as "Heavy Metal", "Eating Raoul", and "Blow Out".
What the hell were they thinking?
lol.
Anyways, this film is about cattle mutilation and delves into the world of conspiracy theories involving black helicopters, satanic underground networks, and all that other stuff people were starting to get worked up about in the early 80s.
Robert Urich plays an investigator from the big city who comes to the rural town where the mutilations are happening.
With him is his delinquent teenage daughter (who is quite good.
whatever happened to that young actress??).
Urich also becomes romantically entangled with the local female sheriff played by JoBeth Williams.
I have to give special mention to a couple of things.
This film (in my opinion) is easily the best that Alan Rudolph has ever done.
He's always been somewhat of a cult director but I never found his films very impressive.
But "Endangered Species" is just superb.
If you're going to create a film about conspiracy theories, this is the way to do it, folks.
By NOT spelling everything out for the audience.
But suggesting a great deal.
By NOT treating the audience as though they are idiots.
The cinematography is also very impressive, as is the droning, disturbing score.
A definite winner!
I used to have a copy of this on VHS and I gave it away a few years back.
I'm still kicking myself for doing that!.
Thrilling Sci-Fi. Animal, mineral or alien?.
Robert Urich is a retired cop from New York City on vacation with his daughter.
While traveling on vacation, a flat tire enables him to get involved investigating a series of mysterious cattle mutilations.
JoBeth Williams is the local sheriff having trouble convincing authorities of her ideas about the cause of the killings.
Gailard Sartain plays an anxious mayor.
Visuals are not so graphic, but the suspense keeps you interested.
Providing fine support are: Hoyt Axton, Peter Coyote and Harry Carey, Jr..
The late night TV elusive species.
I recall seeing Endangered Species on a late night movie channel when I was very young.
Actually, it seemed to come on late night movie channels quite frequently from about 1985-1987.
I remembered the film being mysterious, dark, and a little bit unsettling.
I remembered strange parts of the film, especially the scene where germ warfare is put on a man's toothbrush, and the gruesome effects afterwards.
Just recently I was remembering this film and could not recall the title.
I asked numerous friends and co-workers and they offered no help.
So, I spent about 2 hours, just for the sake of completion, trying to recall the name of this movie!
I really had nothing to go on, because I could not remember any of the actors who were in it.
Finally, thanks to the IMDB, I was able to do a complex search and eventually found the title to this elusive film.
Of course I had to see it again.
Trying to find this film to rent or buy was nearly impossible.
I DID find a local video store who had an ancient copy.
I rented it and was a little less than impressed.
Still, Endangered Species seemed to retain its mysterious and disturbing effect on me.
I think I over-hyped my expectations due to all the research I conducted.
Anyway, The acting is sub-par, and the film quality is pretty bad.
Robert Urich plays up his part pretty well, but comes off as a male chauvinist pig.
Hey, this is the early 80's, they didn't give a S#*!
Peter Coyote (from E.T. fame) is also in this movie.
His plays a sneaky, sinister para-military type character.
Endangered Species definitely conjures up some X-Files type conspiracy theories.
The pacing is good, and it really does have a suspense ridden feel throughout.
Supposedly Endangered Species is loosely based on real events.
I kind of feel that I have wasted my time researching and re-watching this film.
But like I said earlier, I just wanted to remember the title!
I didn't think I would go so far as watching it again.
At least now I can put it out of my head..
Well-Made Sci-Fi Film.
Robert Urich and Jobeth Williams star in this fairly competant issue.
Urich plays a single dad who while on vacation with his daughter starts to investigate a series of cattle mutilations.
Good beginning and middle but ending could have been better..
Well, look what the dead cow dragged in!.
A mate of mine and myself combined this film with a viewing of "The Return" and referred to it as our cattle mutilation double-feature, simply because it's a common recurring element in both films and there generally aren't that many Sci-Fi/horror flicks that are dealing with rotting cow carcasses.
That's actually kind of surprising because it's such a clichéd trademark in terms of alien invasion movies.
"Endangered Species" definitely was the better movie of the two, and also the most ambitious and surprising one, since it featured many more intriguing and unsettling Sci-Fi themes than we initially suspected.
Simply put, and without ruining too much of the plot, the film continuously keeps you guessing what or who the protagonists are up against.
Through a uniquely enigmatic narrative structure and very atypical character drawings, director & co-writer Alan Rudolph delivers an oddly fascinating hybrid between Sci-Fi and Cold War conspiracy thriller that is far more profound than 'yet another alien invasion' movie.
Fatigue and ex- alcoholic New York copper Ruben Castle is driving through a little Colorado town with his rebellious teenage daughter, on their way to a long vacation.
The brand new female sheriff of the little town struggles with a huge problem, however, as numerous of heavily mutilated cow carcasses – the area's biggest source of income – have been discovered lying around rotting in the fields.
The two law officers reluctantly join forces to investigate and discover that not a whole lot of things are kosher around town.
There's more to be said about the plot, but it would really be a shame to spoil anything.
"Endangered Species" is a hidden gem of early 80's cult cinema, that's for sure.
The film admirably alters sequences of genuine suspense (the helicopter chase!) with moments of gross horror (the stomach-explosion!).
The cattle mutilation is also very competently handled.
The make-up effects on the carcasses are truly unsettling and the sight of a dead cow cadaver getting dropped from above and into a river is strangely disturbing.
There's also a very impressive sequence with a bull that is actually on fire!
I reckon that would have been a really difficult scene to shoot.
Also, and as mentioned before already, "Endangered Species" distinguishes itself from the majority of early 80's genre films because of its exceptional characters and their overall awkward interactions.
The love-hate connection between a rough NY copper and the delicate small town sheriff are plausible.
The late Robert Urich and exquisite JoBeth Williams form a supreme on screen couple.
The supportive roles are terrific as well, like Castle's obnoxious teenage daughter and Hoyt Axton as the unofficial spokesperson of the entire town..
good movie.
They filmed the part of the missile silos in Longmont.
Colo and I got to go there and watch them film the segment where the father (Urich( and his daughter ran down this hallway.
It took them all day to do it and in the movie the segment only took a few seconds.
I was pretty disappointed but I did get to shake hands with Jobeth Williams and Robert Urich and he gave me an Oreo cookie for a snack.
Of course I kept it.
ha haI liked the movie just because of this event in my life.
I especially liked the part of the effects of the toothbrush.
I would like to know where to get a copy of this movie..
fair conspiracy theory movie.
Ruben Castle (Robert Urich) is a rough alcoholic ex-NYC cop who quited under some suspicions.
His delinquent daughter Mackenzie is released to him as they travel to Colorado.
Mackenzie gets arrested for running into Harriet Purdue (JoBeth Williams).
Harriet is the new sheriff in the small Colorado town.
She's investigating suspicious cattle mutilation deaths.
Ruben's friend Joe Hiatt (Paul Dooley) runs the local paper and has a conspiracy theory about the cattle.
Cattle rancher Ben Morgan (Hoyt Axton) is the local big wig.
There is a secret base out in an abandoned nuclear silo.It take awhile before the movie settles down to its subject matter.
Purdue should be much more of the lead character instead of Castle.
That way the movie is solidly about the cattle mutilations.
Instead it's too much about Castle's drinking and his failing father daughter relationship.
The movie wants to hint at UFOs. The investigation feels like it's put on the backburner too much early on.
The investigation has good spooky vibes at times and works well especially with the electronic music.
The sound effects works well in opposition to the open space hinterland.
The major drawback for me is that it never really explains everything to my satisfaction.
It explains just enough for me to give it a pass..
So-so movie about cattle mutilations.
This used to play on WTBS.
It's nice to have a movie set in ranch country about ranching.
Unfortunately, this movie goes downhill from there.
It is pretty far-fetched and unlikely, and you might not even catch the point of it.
If there are the evil trucks going down the road, why don't the locals know who they belong to and what they're hauling?
The acting is okay.
I Remember Peter Coyote as being a deputy involved with Urich's daughter, but it's been a while since I've seen this movie.
I have read in The Edge of Evil (Word Publishing, 1989) by Jerry Johnston that some cattle mutilations really are caused by organized Satan worshipers using high-tech equipment.
Naturally I remembered this movie when I read that.
You have to just enjoy this movie and not use your brain too much..
Jon Liebling SHINES in this otherwise unremarkable film.
Though this film is ultimately forgettable, the saving grace is a savory morsel in the form of a cameo appearance by Jon Craig Liebling.
In his role as the steward in a scene featuring a commuter airplane, Liebling delivers another of his subtle - yet, scintillating - tour de force performances.
His understated and nuanced interpretation of this complex character contributes a level of patois to the scene that is memorable long after the credits roll.
If you haven't done so already, be sure to seek out Liebling's contributions to the Jill Clayburgh film, "I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can", as well.
Once heralded as one of Hollywood's premier talents, Liebling (in both his acting and writing modes) was a dynamic presence who embodied a wide spectrum and depth of expertise that transcended his young age.
From Clooney to Crowe, Ben Stiller to Jude Law, today's "A list" of Hollywood talent have all taken colors from Liebling's paintbox of cinematic artistry.
When Liebling chose to leave California for a quiet, yet idyllic, life in Vermont, filmdom lost one of it's most treasured - yet inexplicably under-appreciated - players.
Rumor has it, however, that Liebling now crafts short films for the exclusive enjoyment of friends and family.
What lucky people they are, indeed!.
80's paranoia.
It's almost impossible to find this movie nowadays.
Not because it's good but because it's one rare occurrence where you get a different explanation for the mysterious events than the standard " alien from outer space did it".
For 1982, it's not bad.
For 1982, it's not bad.
We are treated to cool silent helicopters, biological warfare and a Satanic cover-up in the making.
Sure, all the soap opera with the NY cop in ranch country is quite lame but still, there is something fascinating here for the conspiracy buff.
The all electronic score is weird too.
The script relies on these typically 80's beliefs and scares: Abandoned Nike missile bases, cattle mutilations, secrets government (or else) paramilitary teams (looking south American) doing god knows what and for what purpose?
Like some UFO buff once remarked: Why don't they make a deal with some slaugtherhouse to get the animals.
In my opinion it is worth a look and is one good candidate for a modern remake.
Be warned, the ending is a major disappointment..
TV-movie feel-spoilers ahead.
This film has a typical early-80's "crisis" TV-movie feel-the sort of TV-movie that ordinarily would deal with toxic waste dumping and a conspiracy to cover it up.
Here its cattle mutilations and secret para-military biological weapons programs.
Yep, that's right, a splinter group of right wing mercenaries is developing biological weapons and testing them on cows (only slight reasons are given as to why they don't just buy cows and use them on their own land).
Robert Urich is the big city cop with domestic problems and a "cute" alcohol habit whom is the only one who can solve these mutilations-don't expect Jo-Beth Williams relatively competent country cop to pull it off.
Its pretty by the numbers, and you can guess 90% of the plot from the opening on screen blurb about the Congress mandated end of biological and chemical weapons tests in 1969.
The film has a good supporting cast-Hoyt Axton, Harrey Carrey Jr., Paul Dooley, and hey, even the leads do a good job of acting-too bad this is just a glorified tv-movie.
Look for the evil trucks that have a soundtrack cue that sounds like it was stolen from Jon Carpenter..
Downright scary.
This movie is downright scary and well made.
However, the main character could use some work, especially with the interaction between him and the female sheriff.
Although the movie initially got off to a slow start and seemed like just another cattle mutilation story...
it really took off and surprised you.Once the real source of the mutilations is revealed, this movie really gets quite frightening.
This is a quality movie which will give you nightmares.
I would have given it a 10 if Urich's role had been written a little better and the beginning of the movie had gotten off to a better start.But this isn't just any cattle mutilation movie...
this is the gov't doing really frightening germ war experiments and killing people in the most gruesome ways.
There's enough validity in the gov'ts role in this movie to compare with some real life issues ongoing in that region when this movie was made.
They were actually doing germ warfare and chemical testing in that area and killing off livestock...
so that was probably the catalyst to making this movie...
which is why I said it would frighten you if you had sense about some of the terrible things they do without oversight.
Some of the effects in the latter part of the movie are downright graphic.
The music and sound effects add so much scariness to the movie, it just rattles you to the bone.
The background music and sound effects certainly earned a 10.
That was the main key in the scary effects.
The care which went into choosing the gov't sites & vehicles was well thought out.
It looked quite real and believable.
Superb direction.
Quality production.
Excellent story.
The latter third of the movie was fantastic.
All fresh storyline.
Once you got past the first third of the movie and slow beginning, it really took off and was great right to the end.I've only had a couple other movies which were scary to me.
The gov'ts biowarfare role in this movie will give you nightmares...
even compared to current day films, this movie will stand up with the best of them.Good direction.
Excellent special effects.
Believable props for the gov't sites and black helicopters.
Someone really put some quality effort into this movie.I found this movie while looking for "The Return" another cattle mutilation movie with Raymond Burr which was a totally different premise.
It will surprise you and frighten you.
It is available on DVD on Amazon.I would not recommend this movie to children under 14 or anyone who scares easily.
The cattle mutilations and character deaths are quite graphic.
The cattle appeared to have been real and not props for the most part.
I think some props were mixed in with the real cattle carcasses.