(1978)
Directed by Harry Kerwin & Wayne Crawford
Starring Wayne Crawford, Jason Evers, Roberta Leighton, Cliff Emmich, William Kerwin, Bert Freed

Being fans of Jaws, and all of his underwater brethren, I’m always curious, though tread lightly, on movies that deals with a type of killer fish. But if was made in the ’70s, on the box office wave the Spielberg movie made, it is even more appealing, mainly because they never could hold water compared to the original. Granted, no matter how good or bad they might be, it always enforces my fear of what just might be in the water waiting for me.

This film starts out very similar to all the other inspired films of that time, with a couple of divers looking for lost treasure that are attacked and eaten for their troubles. Meanwhile, a marine biologist is trying to collect water samples by the local chemical plant (inset devious music sound here) that he believes have been dumping harmful product into the water. Could this might be what is effecting the fish? You think?

But here is where they do the bait and switch move on you. This is only part killer fish storyline, with a huge angle about a government cover up. The more the story unfolds, the more we learn of the strange things going on at the chemical plant, as well as in the town, more so then the problem we thought was in the water.

The fish attacks are done pretty well for that time.  Nothing great mind you, but fun all the same.  We even had a scene where a kid gets munched, so we know that nobody is safe here. Granted, while the twist there kind of caught me off guard and I really was expecting a killer fish movie, I have to give them credit for taking that chance. A quick horror rip-off… but with a pro-environmental message? Who would have thought? But just when you think you know how it’s going to play out, wait until the ending. Got to give them credit for going the direction they did. Well played.

Our main star is Wayne Crawford was not only the main lead, but he also wrote the story and the screenplay, co-produced it, as well as directing the underwater sequences. He did a lot of work both in front and behind the camera, having some success, such as being the writer & producer on films like Valley Girl and Jake Speed (and as the title character), as well as producing the cult favorite Night of the Comet and Servants of Twilight. The other co-director, Harry Kerwin, worked on a lot of low budget films, from H.G. Lewis’ Two Thousand Maniacs (1964) to William Grefé’s Sting of Death (1966). His brother, William Kerwin, plays the local sheriff here, but also worked several times acting in Lewis’ films, such as the lead in Blood Feast (1963).

If you’re a Jaws inspired / rip-offs / homage films, then you really should check this one out. It’s not the best of the lot, but there are many that sink way below this one. Plus, since it’s a little different than the rest, it’s a nice change of pace. Plus, no matter what you might think of it, it does have an awesome poster!