Shark! (1969)

Director:

Samuel Fuller

Writers:

Victor Canning (novel)
Samuel Fuller (screenplay)

Release Date:

8 October 1969 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

More 'Bite' Than "JAWS"!

Plot Keywords:

Shark | Shark Attack | Adventurer | Based On Novel | Independent Film

Cast

Burt Reynolds	...	Caine
Arthur Kennedy	...	Doc
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Manuel Alvarado	...	Latalla
Carlos Barry	...	Runt
Carlos Beriochoa	...	Smoky-Smoky
José Chávez	...	Lieutenant (as Jose Chavez Trowe)
Enrique Lucero	...	Inspector Barok
Silvia Pinal	...	Anna
Francisco Reiguera	...	Yusef
Emilia Stuart	...	Asha
Barry Sullivan	...	Professor Dan Mallare

Also Known As:

Caine (USA)
Maneater
Nido de tiburones (Mexico) (TV title)
Twist of the Knife (USA) (original script title)
Un arma de dos filos (Mexico)

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA | Mexico

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | USA:M | USA:R (re-rating) | USA:PG (video re-rating)

Filming Locations:

Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico

Company:

Cinematográfica Calderón S.A.

Trivia:

This film gained some infamy at the time of its release because of the death of one of its stuntmen. He was attacked and killed on camera while working with what was supposed to be a sedated shark. When the production company used the death to help promote the film, director Samuel Fuller, who had been clashing with the producers on a wide variety of issues relating to the film, quit the production. When he finally saw the version that was released to theaters, he said they had butchered it so badly while editing it that it was no longer recognizable as his film and demanded that his name be taken off of it, but the producers refused.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Eisai to tairi mou: (#1.2)" (2001)

Bad Film, but not Fuller's fault

Contrary to the previous critic's statements, the end result of this film is not a reflection on Burt, the crew or the late great Samuel Fuller. This was a doomed project from the beginning. Fuller, recently returning from France, was all but blacklisted by American producers. His two previous films: Shock Corridor and Naked Kiss were too hard hitting and edgy for Hollywood producers. Almost completely broke, Fuller accepted an offer from two Mexican producers to adapt Victor Canning's 'Twist of the Knife'. Thus began "Caine", AKA "Maneater" AKA "Shark!", etc al. At the time, Burt Reynolds was only a television actor, with few if any real film credits. Silvia Pinal, who was great in Luis Bunuel's masterful, 'Viridiana' was terrific in Shark, as was Barry Sullivan as Mallare(who was also great in Fuller's, 'Forty Guns'). Ultimately, the Mexican producers/studio heads completely recut this film behind Fuller's back. Fuller denounced it, and with good reason. This film is bad, make no mistake. However, it was not Sam Fuller's fault, or Burt's, or Pinal, or Raul Martinez Solares, who provided the gritty, spooky cinematography for Shark. Shark is still enjoyable enough though. I would recommend Vodka or some aged Kentucky Bourbon as an accompaniment. Maybe some Bulleit on ice. Water-logged? I think not. This lil' stinker just requires a bit of booze and some willing cohorts.