Science Fiction

Horror

Day of the Animals

Montoro Productions Ltd.

Mid-America Pictures

Film Ventures International

United States of America

English

Christopher George

Leslie Nielsen

Lynda Day George

Richard Jaeckel

Michael Ansara

Ruth Roman

Jon Cedar

Paul Mantee

Walter Barnes

Andrew Stevens

Susan Backlinie

Kathleen Bracken

Bobby Porter

Michelle Stacy

Michael Andreas

Jan Andrew Scott

Gil Lamb

Garrison True

Gertrude Lee

Walt Gorney

William Girdler

William W. Norton

Edward L. Montoro

Lalo Schifrin

Robert Sorrentino

David Sheldon

Eleanor E. Norton

Bub Asman

James Mitchell

Marvin Paige

***What if animals went batty and attacked humans?***

Animals at high altitudes go crazy in the Sierra Nevada Mountains due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the result of depletion of the ozone layer. A dozen hikers regrettably get dropped off up there by helicopter just before the quarantine is announced. The backpackers are played by the likes of Christopher George (the guide), Leslie Nielsen (a boorish exec), Lynda Day George (an anchorwoman), Richard Jaeckel (a professor) and Michael Ansara (an AmerIndian guide).

“Day of the Animals” (1977) is a nature-strikes-back flick cut from the same cloth as “The Birds” (1963), “Frogs” (1972) and “Grizzly” (1976). It was made by the director of the latter, William Girdler, who died at the age of 30 in early 1979 while scouting locations for his next film in the Philippines when his helicopter hit electrical lines.

Although “Day” is superior to “Grizzly,” it’s not on the level of “The Birds.” The characters are dull except for those played by Nielsen, Ansara and George. It doesn’t help that Girdler doesn’t know how to photograph women, although he had the resources: blonde Susan Backlinie (Mandy) and brunette Kathleen Bracken (Beth). 

The first half is relatively tedious, but things pick up for the second and the animals are wonderful (hawks, vultures, cougars, snakes, rats and a bear). Speaking of the bear, Nielsen’s mad showdown with a bruin is a highlight, although the idea was lifted from the end of "Sands of the Kalahari" (1965).   

The film runs 1 hour, 37 minutes, and was shot in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Long Barn, California, about 25 miles northwest of Yosemite National Park. 

GRADE: B-

SOMETHING IS OUT THERE (1977) TV Spot

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Day of the Animals

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Cast

Christopher George

Leslie Nielsen

Lynda Day George

Richard Jaeckel

Michael Ansara

Ruth Roman

Jon Cedar

Paul Mantee

Walter Barnes

Andrew Stevens

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