''Endangered Species'' is a 1982

science fiction film Science fiction (or sci-fi) is a film genre that uses speculative, fictional science-based depictions of phenomena that are not fully accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial lifeforms, spacecraft, robots, cyborgs, interstellar ...

starring Robert Urich, JoBeth Williams, Peter Coyote and

Hoyt Axton Hoyt Wayne Axton (March 25, 1938 – October 26, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor. He became prominent in the early 1960s, establishing himself on the West Coast as a folk singer with an earthy style and powerful voic ...

, that was directed and co-written by Alan Rudolph.

Plot

Thriller about a burnt out New York ex-cop Reuben Castle (Robert Urich) and a female sheriff (Jo Beth Williams) who begin to fall in love while investigating a string of mysterious

cattle mutilation Cattle mutilation (also known as bovine excision and unexplained livestock death, or animal mutilation) is the killing and mutilation of cattle under unusual, usually bloodless circumstances. This phenomenon has been observed among wild animals ...

s in a small Wyoming town. Castle is a retired alcoholic police lieutenant out visiting the town with his

tomboy A tomboy is a term for a girl or a young woman with masculine qualities. It can include wearing androgynous or unfeminine clothing and actively engage in physical sports or other activities and behaviors usually associated with boys or men. Wh ...

daughter. At first he tries to stay out of the case but finds himself involved after the mysterious death of his friend Joe Hiatt. Hiatt was the editor of the local paper whose theories about black helicopters have aroused the ire of cattle baron Ben Morgan. Morgan seems to know much more about the cattle killings than he is telling, and may know why the organs of the dead cattle are being harvested. Castle is trying miserably to stay sober, and he finds himself back in danger and in love, as he and the sheriff work together to get to the bottom of the mystery, encountering incredible danger and resistance from the frightened locals. Morgan, who is turning the locals against Castle, also seems to have links to organizations which are not local, although these are denied.

Cast

* Robert Urich as Ruben Castle * JoBeth Williams as Harriet Perdue *

as Ben Morgan * Peter Coyote as Steele *

Dan Hedaya Daniel G. Hedaya (born July 24, 1940) is an American actor. He established himself as a supporting actor, often playing sleazy villains or wisecracking supporting characters. He has had supporting roles in films such as '' True Confessions'' (198 ...

as Peck * Paul Dooley as Joe Hiatt *

Marin Kanter Marin (French) or Marín (Spanish "sailor") may refer to: People * Marin (name), including a list of persons with the given name or surname * MaRin, in-game name of professional South Korean ''League of Legends'' player Jang Gyeong-hwan (born 19 ...

as Mackenzie Castle * Gailard Sartain as The Mayor *

Harry Carey Jr. Henry George Carey Jr. (May 16, 1921 – December 27, 2012) was an American actor. He appeared in more than 90 films, including several John Ford Westerns, as well as numerous television series. Early life Carey was born on a ranch near ...

as Dr. Emmer * John Considine as Burnside

Reception

The New York Times found the idea of the movie ripped from then current headlines of

cattle mutilations Cattle mutilation (also known as bovine excision and unexplained livestock death, or animal mutilation) is the killing and mutilation of cattle under unusual, usually bloodless circumstances. This phenomenon has been observed among wild animals ...

, and praises the efforts of the cast and editor to make the material of the movie realistic, but that the movie overall was "dumb." TV Guide was kinder to the movie, giving in three out of five stars. They also found the cast to be excellent, and blamed the movie's failure on poor distribution by MGM. The especially recommended the movies for fans of director Alan Rudolph, and praised effect of low-flying helicopters snatching cows from their pastures at night. Creature Feature also liked the movie, giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars. finding the movie thrilling and enthralling.Stanley, J. (2000) Creature Feature 3rd Edition

References

External links

* * * 1982 films 1982 independent films 1980s English-language films 1980s science fiction thriller films American independent films Films shot in Colorado Films shot in Wyoming Films shot in New York (state) American science fiction thriller films Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films Films directed by Alan Rudolph 1980s American films {{Sf-thriller-film-stub