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Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen ... see more see more... , Rick Rossovich , Bess Motta , Earl Boen , Franco Columbu , Hugh Farrington , Ken Foree , Ken Fritz , Philip Gordon , Bruce M. Kerner , Harriet Medin , Dick Miller , Leslie Morris , Marianne Muellerleile , Bill Paxton , David Hyde Pierce , Patrick Pinney , James Ralston , Brad Reardon , Shawn Schepps , Chino "Fats" Williams , Brian Thompson , Joe Farago , Norman Friedman , Hettie Lynne Hurtes , Barbara Powers , Stan Yale , Stanzi Stokes , Tony Mirelez , William Wisher Jr.

Endlessly imitated, The Terminator made the reputation of cowriter/director James Cameron -- who would go on to make 1997's titanic Titanic -- and solidified the stardom of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The ... read more read more...movie begins in a post-apocalyptic 2029, when Los Angeles has been largely reduced to rubble and is under the thumb of all-powerful ruling machines. Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), a member of the human resistance movement, is teleported back to 1984. His purpose: to rescue Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the mother of the man who will lead the 21st-century rebels against the tyrannical machines, from being assassinated before she can give birth. Likewise thrust back to 1984 is The Terminator (Schwarzenegger), a grim, well-armed, virtually indestructable cyborg who has been programmed to eliminate Sarah Connor. After killing two "Sarah Connors" who turn out to be the wrong women, he finally aims his gunsights at the genuine article. This is the film in which Schwarzenegger declared "I'll be baaaack" -- and back he was, in "kinder and gentler" form, in the even more successful Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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R, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: James Cameron

Release Date: October 26, 1984

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DVD Release Date: September 3, 1997

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Stats: 28,910 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (28,910)

  • spielberg00
    February 4, 2012
    spielberg00
    James Cameron's best creation.
  • garyX
    December 26, 2011
    garyX
    In a post apocalyptic future where humanity has been made all but extinct by rebellious technology, a relentless killing machine is sent back in time to assassinate the mother of the human resistance leader who represents their only hope of salvation. The original Terminator film... read more is an exercise in sheer cinematic economy as James Cameron's breakthrough film is as ruthlessly efficient as the murderous cyborg itself. There's none of the schmaltz and sentimentality that went on to mar his later films and the taut direction and thrilling, bullet riddled action sequences make for one of the most tense and brutal sci-fi action films ever made. The cynical may point out that Arnold's robotic acting skills made him perfect for the part, but I think his performance is cruelly under-rated; as those who tried to fill his shoes in the later films can attest it takes more than a big gun to make such a charismatic and intimidating presence and the final act actually suffers quite a bit for his absence. Some of the effects have dated a little but the make up and animatronics have stood up surprisingly well and the paradoxical time travel twist makes for a simple but ingenious story that's told with the kind of vigour that's sorely missing from most CGI infested blockbusters. Seminal sci-fi.
  • skeletonking101
    October 9, 2011
    skeletonking101
    Though the Sequel is far more superior, this film is still fantastic. The effects for the time still look impressive, the plot is very creative and original, the acting is great, The music is incredible, and the action is fantastic. Arnold does one of his best performances with t... read morehis film, and does a very good job at playing basically a serial killer going around killing everyone named Sarah, like how Michael Myers goes around butchering all the baby sitters. The other characters also do great jobs, Linda Hamilton does a great job as the fleeing Sarah Connor, and Michael Beihn does a fantastic job as Kyle Reese, and you really sympathize with these two characters and how they're trying to stay alive while this robot menace is trying to kill them.
  • DreamExtractor
    August 30, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    A classic and I love it, but the sequel is better and this is an iconic role for Arnold, I love this film.
  • fb729949618
    July 31, 2011
    fb729949618
    This film made Arnold. It also set a huge standard for other films as far as action sequences go.
  • wildaly14
    July 5, 2011
    wildaly14
    "I'll be back." - The Terminator
  • fb100002090596996
    June 28, 2011
    fb100002090596996
    The Terminator. Not everyone will like it, but it's a 1 in a 100 chance you'll find someone who doesn't. I don't know what was so great about the movie. The acting was good, but not great like in other movies like Forrest Gump. The dialog had some memorable moments, but nothing l... read moreike The Matrix. Effects were... okay... and so was the story. But it's the action and the thrills that make this possible my all-time favorite movie. I can't wait to see Terminator 2: Judgment Day (especially since people keep saying it was much better) after my happy experience with this movie. I watched it, I loved it. You'll watch it, you'll love it. I have 5 gold stars up there, Sherlock, as well as a 100% Fresh Rating from Rotten Tomatoes! Watch this movie! I don't care what someone tells you or how much it costs! All I care about is you watching this movie. That is all I ask for you. Make the world a better place by putting a smile of fulfillment on the viewers' faces, and let us all watch and love this amazing movie.
  • Callahan441
    June 12, 2011
    Callahan441
    James Cameron's seminal classic reveals an apocalyptic Los Angeles torn apart by nuclear war in the year 2029. Machines headed by a network called 'Skynet' are hellbent on wiping out the human race upon becoming self-aware, however there is a human resistance led by 'John Connor'... read more that are set to prevail against the machines. To prevent 'Skynet' from being overthrown, they send a 'Terminator', a cyborg assassin resembling a human, back to 1984 to kill John Connor's mother Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), preventing him from being born. To counteract this, the resistance sends soldier 'Kyle Reese' to 1984 to protect her.

    The fascinating concepts imagined by James Cameron along with his excellent directing results with a taut, dark and original film. In my opinion, Schwarzenegger's sinister portrayal of the hard, soulless Terminator is far better than the softer, more human depictions in the sequels. Also, the transformation of Linda Hamilton's character is also well acted. I watched the film with a few contemporaries recently (I'm 18 years-old), who picked flaws in the dated music and effects. Firstly one has to appreciate the budget (a mere $6.5 million), and I personally feel that the music perfectly aids the tension of the cat-and-mouse sequences (however I am unusually partial to a bit of 80s music). Anyway, whatever your stance on those matters, the film's substance and breathtaking action far outweigh any 'flaws'.
  • ironclad1609
    May 30, 2011
    ironclad1609
    James Cameron's classic action thriller that made Schwarzenegger a star and influenced action cinema like few other films of the 80s. While some of the effects and especially the keyboard-driven soundtrack (which also includes the fantastic and iconic main theme of course) did no... read moret age all that well, the story is still enthralling and exciting. While the action mostly consists of shoot outs and car chases and was easily topped by part 2, it was still ground breaking for its time. The films biggest asset is it's wonderfully gloomy atmosphere of constant threat and the knowing of the coming storm. In that regard the last sequence is particularly awesome. No wonder Arnie had to come back.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 9, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    James Cameron's first official film (not counting the sequel to Piranha) is a monumental film experience. The plot is fairly simple. Cyborg sent back through time to kill the mother of the leader of a futuristic resistance that wage war against machines.But the way that it's hand... read moreled is epic. The Terminator is probably the best action film ever made. James Cameron has had an impressive career. But The first Terminator film along with it's sequl, are simply phenomenal. This first entry introduced audiences to Arnold Schwarzenegger as The terminator. Though a simple role, Schwarzenegger's intensity on screen is legendary and is what makes The Terminator an action classic. Cameron mixes Sci Fi elements into a pulse pounding thrilling action film that is a perfectly well executed. The Terminator is one of the all time greatest classic Action films. The film is an exciting viewing experience that delivers solid pulse pounding thrills that you won't soon easily forget. In the 80's theres been a few stand out Action films that really were astounding in terms of delivering thrills and action. Film like Die Hard, Predator and Top Gun seem to the best examples of 8's Action classics. However one of the most brilliantly conceived actioners remains The Terminator. Simply for the fact that it has an incredible villain and an awesome concept for a story that not even the best action films of the time could surpass. The Terminator also boasts some impressive special effects done by effects master Stan Winston. The film has been criticized for it's use of violence and lack of story, but really the thing is, The Terminator has an elaborate plot hidden under it's veneerof ultra violence. As some critics have failed to understand the plot and only focus on the graphic content of the picture; it only shows how mainstream critics are misleading. The Terminator though extremely has a terrific story, acting, and none stop thrills that it shouldn't be a mystery as to why this film is regarded as a classic.

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Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss
May 18, 2009
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

As for Schwarzenegger, he nicely fleshes out the convention of a soulless gun for hire. With his choppy hair, cryptic shades and state-of-the-'80s leather ensemble, he looks like the Incredible Hulk g... Full Review

Jay Scott
May 18, 2009
Jay Scott, Globe and Mail

An efficient, cold-blooded sci-fi splatter movie that never makes the mistake of forgetting that on some level it is deeply ridiculous. Full Review

Dave Kehr
March 1, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

As a souvenir of a kind of B-grade action cinema that has all but vanished, The Terminator should find a small place in the heart of every movie addict. Full Review

Janet Maslin
July 16, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

This is a monster movie, and the monster's role fits Mr. Schwarzenegger just fine. Full Review

February 13, 2001
Variety

The Terminator is a blazing, cinematic comic book, full of virtuoso moviemaking, terrific momentum, solid performances and a compelling story. Full Review

James Berardinelli
October 26, 1984
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The movie's strength is that, like The Matrix, it combines action with ideas. Full Review

Rob Humanick
May 23, 2011
Rob Humanick, Slant Magazine

Remains a surprisingly meditative work, its concentrated visceral bursts not unlike punctuation marks among something more brooding, even prayerful. Full Review

Jordan Hiller
December 30, 2010
Jordan Hiller, Bangitout.com

Throughout his extraordinary, legend in his own time career, James Cameron has done very little that cannot be legitimately considered well ahead of its time. Full Review

Tim Brayton
December 6, 2009
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

I remain perpetually amazed by how magnificently Cameron keeps the tension up... there is not a single moment that isn't operating at 100%. Full Review

Peter Canavese
May 25, 2009
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

A cyberpunk picture that flirts with emotional resonance but mostly focuses on the gut...testosterone-fueled, estrogen-boosted action melodrama. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Kyle Reese: What day is it?
    • Policeman: 12, May, Thursday --
    • Kyle Reese: What year?
    • Terminator: Get out.
    • Kyle Reese: Come with me if you want to live!
    • Kyle Reese: He'll find you that's what he does, That's all he does!
    • Terminator: I'm a friend of Sarah Connor. I was told she was here. Could I see her please?
    • Desk Sergeant: No, you can't see her she's making a statement.
    • Terminator: Where is she?
    • Desk Sergeant: It may take a while. Want to wait? There's a bench over there.
    • Terminator: I'll be back!
    • Kyle Reese: Cyborgs don't feel pain, I do, don't do that again.
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The Terminator Trivia

  • In which movie does Arnold Schwarzenegger declare for the first time "I'll be back".  Answer »
  • Which of these actors was not in the movie The Terminator?  Answer »
  • "I need your clothes,boots,and motorcycle" was the opening line of what movie?  Answer »
  • Who is the Terminator looking for?  Answer »
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