Made just two years after "Jaws", this isn't the crowd-pleasing blockbuster its predecessor is; it's a more adult film, turning a whale-seeking quest into a mystical journey to the end of time. There are all sorts of ways to read this film metaphorically (maybe the whale represents Harris' desire to die because of his grief, or maybe it represents everything he would like to have done to his own wife and baby's killer),but it's also effective at a simpler level; it can't be easy (much less in 1977) to create the illusion of a whale systematically preying on humans, but they do it here. Harris is superb, and Morricone's music is magnificent. It's not a pleasant film to watch, but it has made a strong impression on me (and left me with conflicting emotions) ever since I first saw it, many years ago. It's probably one of the top 5 "when animals attack" thrillers ever made. *** out of 4.

I have always been amazed by this true masterpiece, though I don't understand why certain people compare this to JAWS. This is actually the anti JAWS. In Spielbreg's feature, the beast was the evil character from the beginning to the end. Here the killer whale is presented as a good character in the first half of the movie, and then slowly begins to become the evil beast. On the contrary Richard Harris is an evil man in the first part of the film before getting better and better later in the movie, At least the audience feel empathy for him, as he also has for his Nemesis killer whale who wants get revenge on him, Harris the hunter hunted has also his dark past: his wife killed by a drunk hit and run driver. This is a sort of psychological adventure thriller drama, more inreresting than JAWS. But of course JAWS will remain JAWS. And as I have said, there is also something of DUEL in this feature. The final face to face between the two opponents is so riveting. The audience doesn't know which side choose, unlike in JAWS. I also found something in common with the Korean THE TIGER. Man facing beast, but not a normal beast.

Nothing to do, nothing in common with FREE WILLY....

A fisherman and expert seaman (Richard Harris who was 46, performed his own stunts) along with his crew (Bo Derek, Peter Hooten, Keenan Wynn) kill with a harpoon a female pregnant Orca and her huge male mate swears revenge . Meanwhile , an Orcas-speciality scientist (Charlotte Rampling) and a native (Will Patton) warn him about the vengeance , but he reluctant listen them . The picture is developed in a Northern , cold shore community where the large Orca attacks on the tiny port (made with some maquettes or scale model) making a real wreak havoc and rampage . Then, the protagonists motived by profits determine to track down and kill it . The crew are forced to fight for their lives in a mortal struggle.

It's a good movie with a magnificent creation of suspense , terror , emotions , thriller , bone-chilling images and brief gore when the humans are serving for lunch ; besides , some creepy scenes about the abort female whale . The Orca whale was portrayed by an animatronic whale , filmed off the coasts of Malta and Newfoundland, and stock footage taken at Marine World in Redwood City, California . Intelligent writings by Luciano Vincenzone (also producer) and Sergio Donati (Sergio Leone'usual screenwriters) is allegedly based on truth events . The Orca attacks images deliver the tension along with exciting musical score by the great Ennio Morricone who heightens the suspense . Colorful cinematography by Ted Moore with excellent special effects by Alex Weldon . Although it results to be a ¨Jaws¨ exploitation is an agreeable movie with magnificent Richard Harris and Charlotte Ramplingb . The motion picture was well produced in high budget by Dino De Laurentis and finely directed by Michael Anderson . The picture will appeal to Richard Harris fans . Well seeing but during the attacks you will have on the hedge of your seat .