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The Exterminator (1980)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 2/10
Reviews Counted: 8
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 7

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 3

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Average Rating: 2.9/5
User Ratings: 1,931

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Movie Info

A Vietnam veteran declares a one-man war on crime in this vigilante revenge thriller. Michael Jefferson (Steve James) saved the life of his best friend John Eastland (Robert Ginty) while the two were serving in Vietnam, so when Jefferson is left permanently paralyzed after a vicious attack by muggers, Eastland is determined to get revenge. Declaring war not only on the thugs who injured Jefferson but the entire lawless underclass, Eastland becomes known as "The Exterminator" for his swift and

R, 1 hr. 41 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: James Glickenhaus

Written By: James Glickenhaus

In Theaters: Sep 19, 1980 Limited

On DVD: May 26, 1998

AVCO Embassy Pictures

Cast

Christopher George
Detective James Dalton
Samantha Eggar
Dr. Megan Stewart
Robert Ginty
John Eastland
Steve James
Michael Jefferson
Tony di Benedetto
Chicken Pimp
Dick Boccelli
Gino Pontivini
Patrick Farrelly
CIA Agent
Michele Harrell
Maria Jefferson
David Lipman
State Senator
Cindy Wilks
Candy
Dennis Boutsikaris
Frankie
George Kee Cheung
Vietcong Leader
Phil Chong
Vietcong Garrottee
Louis Edmonds
CIA Chief
Ned Eisenberg
Marty
Tom Everett
Hotel Clerk
Stan Getz
Himself
Roger Grimsby
Himself
Ryan Hilliard
SWAT #5
Irwin Keyes
Bobby
Gerald M. Kline
Massage Parlor Cop
Ralph Monaco
Bartender
Santos Morales
Police Captain
Sean O'Rinn
Uniform Cop #4
Kenny Endoso
Vietcong Fire Gag
Frank Ferrara
Collector #1
Paul G Hensler
Captured US Soldier
Tony Munafo
Collector #2
Webster Whinery
Sammy
Lou David
Leaflet Man
Joe Duquette
SWAT #2
Clay Wright
US Pilot
Robert King
Motorcyclist
Paul Farentino
Message Cop (sic)
Bill Saito
Vietcong AK-47
Tony DiBenedetto

Critic Reviews for The Exterminator

All Critics (8) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (7) | DVD (9)

The Exterminator is a sick example of the almost unbelievable descent into gruesome savagery in American movies.

January 31, 2011 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

An action film with little action. Contrived script instead opts for grotesque violence in a series of glum, distasteful scenes.

July 6, 2010 Full Review Source: Variety

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Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

Even connoisseurs of violence will be disappointed in The Exterminator since its grisly events are not actually shown on screen.

August 30, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Tom Buckley

New York Times

Top Critic

As depicted literally here, going through the meat grinder is an apt metaphor for the Vietnam experience, and for the intended impact on audiences of movies like this one.

November 17, 2011 Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

| Comment

John Beifuss

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

One of the most wretched of all film genres is the vigilante justice movie, and this must-to-avoid Death Wish takeoff is one of the worst of its ilk.

January 31, 2011 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

Right-wing nonsense

August 2, 2003 Comment

John Esther

Pasadena Weekly

D-grade Death Wish leech.

July 26, 2002 Comment

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Exterminator

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Deathwish II meets Rambo III. Campy, cult-ish film that's just bad enough to be fun. Best viewed in a room full of lightly inebriated friends.

April 23, 2009

Randy Tippy

Super Reviewer

It's been a very long while since I've seen this one, but I still remember some parts vividly. Well done Vigilante film.

January 30, 2008

Christopher Brown

Super Reviewer

The Exterminator Quotes

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