Alligator

Directed by Lewis Teague
USA 1980

Post-modern 'B' junker that has enough believability to make for moderate to high camp fun entertainment. Notables associated include being penned by John Sayles (what the...?) and often unnoticeable lead Robert Forster (Mulholland Dr., Jackie Brown etc.). It doesn't take itself too seriously and that may be the highest compliment we can give (straight-faced).

Twelve years ago two incidents occurred which bore no similarity until now. After returning from their Florida vacation, the Kendal family decided their pet baby alligator was too much of a nuisance and flushed him down the toilet. At the same time, Slade Laboratories was conducting secret hormonal experiments with dogs and the dead dogs were disposed of in the city sewer. The baby alligator fed on the dead dogs... and after twelve years its body chemistry took on grotesque mutations. When several brutal murders are discovered, David Madison is put on the case to find the so-called Jack-the-Ripper killer. But this is no human psychopath - it is a ravaging animal-turned-monster bent on destroying everything in its wake.

You know what you'll be getting and its a a fair way to spend 1.5 hours if you are ready to vegetate and get some cheapish thrills.

Gary W. Tooze

Posters

Theatrical Release: July 2nd, 1980

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DVD Review: Lions Gate - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Lions Gate - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:26:54
Video	1.78:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.36 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (mono)
Subtitles	English, Spanish, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Lions Gate Home Video Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Commentary from by Robert Forster and director Lewis Teague • Featurette: Alligator Author (17:23) • Trailer • More from Lions Gate DVD Release Date: September 18th, 2007 Keep Case Chapters: 12

Comments:

Lions Gate didn't bother to make this DVD progressive (see interlaced combing in last capture) and is anamorphically transferred on a single-layered disc. It looked quite adequate though on a tube and it isn't the type of film that I'll be pulling out the magnifying glass. Colors and detail seemed acceptable - as did the unremarkable and superfluous 5.1 audio (mono is also an option). Subtitles are offered in English or Spanish. There is a Region 2 PAL edition that I know nothing about and I suspect this would be one of the last films to reach Hi-def.

Extras include a commentary track by Robert Forster and director Lewis Teague. I'll comment when I have finished listening.

There is an unexpected decent extra - Alligator Author - a 17 minute featurette with John Sayles responding to his creation of the screenplay and original story. Soft spoken Sayles relates the final film differences from his initial concept and the genre appeal of a 'creature feature'. There is a trailer and some LionsGate adverts.

What can one say? - I needed a change - it was here and I don't even regret watching it. You must know what you are in for with this film and you'll get exactly what you anticipate. If you are in the mood - it hits the spot.