Other meanings of Endangered species
Film
Endangered Species is a 1982 American science fiction horror film directed by Alan Rudolph, starring Robert Urich, JoBeth Williams, and Hoyt Axton. The plot follows a New York City police detective and a Colorado sheriff who investigate a series of cattle mutilations that turn out to be the work of an alien entity. The film is notable for its blend of conspiracy thriller and ecological themes, and for its use of actual cattle mutilation lore.
The film opens with a series of cattle mutilations in rural Colorado, where animals are found drained of blood and with organs surgically removed. Sheriff Harriet 'Harry' Purcell (JoBeth Williams) is baffled by the cases, which are dismissed by local authorities as the work of predators. Meanwhile, New York City detective Mike Donovan (Robert Urich) is on the verge of a breakdown after a failed raid, and he travels to Colorado to visit an old friend. He becomes intrigued by the mutilations and teams up with Harry to investigate.
Their investigation leads them to a secret government facility, where they discover that the mutilations are part of an alien experiment. The aliens are harvesting genetic material from cattle to create a hybrid creature that can survive on Earth. As they get closer to the truth, they are pursued by government agents who are trying to cover up the project. The climax occurs when the alien creature is unleashed, and the protagonists must destroy it to save the town.
Endangered Species was directed by Alan Rudolph, known for his idiosyncratic style, and was produced by Carolyn Pfeiffer. The screenplay was written by Rudolph and Judson Klinger. The film was shot on location in Colorado, utilizing the stark landscapes to enhance the eerie atmosphere. The special effects were handled by Stan Winston, who later became famous for his work on Aliens and Jurassic Park. The film's score was composed by Gary Wright, a former member of the band Spooky Tooth.
The film was released on September 24, 1982, by MGM/UA Entertainment Co. It received mixed reviews, with critics praising the performances and the atmospheric direction, but criticizing the plot's inconsistencies and the abrupt ending. Roger Ebert gave the film two and a half stars, noting that it had 'a lot of good stuff' but was ultimately 'a mess.' The film was a box office disappointment, grossing only $2.5 million against a budget of $5 million.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Endangered Species is its basis on real-life cattle mutilation reports that were prevalent in the American West during the 1970s and 1980s. The film incorporates actual newspaper clippings and photographs from these incidents, adding a documentary-like quality to the fiction. Additionally, the film features a cameo by the famous UFO researcher and author, John Keel, who appears as a radio talk show host. The film's original ending, which was cut from the theatrical release, showed the alien creature being captured by the government, but test audiences found it too bleak, so it was replaced with a more action-oriented climax. The film also has a cult following among fans of 1980s sci-fi horror, and it has been released on DVD and Blu-ray with commentary tracks and featurettes.
This article is about the 1982 film. For the biological concept, see Endangered species.
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