A cyborg assassin from the future attempts to find and kill a young woman who is destined to give birth to a warrior that will lead a resistance to save humankind from extinction.A cyborg assassin from the future attempts to find and kill a young woman who is destined to give birth to a warrior that will lead a resistance to save humankind from extinction.A cyborg assassin from the future attempts to find and kill a young woman who is destined to give birth to a warrior that will lead a resistance to save humankind from extinction.
- Awards
- 8 wins & 7 nominations
- Punk
- (scenes deleted)
- Policeman
- (as William Wisher Jr.)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Linda Hamilton Returns to Her Iconic 'Terminator' Role
Linda Hamilton Returns to Her Iconic 'Terminator' Role
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhile shooting this film, James Cameron often resorted to what he called "guerilla filmmaking" as a way of getting around acquiring permits needed to film certain scenes. This involved the production crew and actors quickly arriving at a specified location, shooting the scene and leaving before the police arrived. As a result, some of the people seen in a few shots are actual everyday citizens completely unaware they're in a movie. This was also used for re shoots with Cameron even calling and waking Arnold Schwarzenegger once at 3am to meet him at a location already in full costume to quickly re-shoot a scene. Cameron also used this tactic to film the very last scene where Sarah drives off into the desert. Waiting for the heat to rise to the point that ripples could be filmed a highway patrolman appeared. Producer Gale Ann Hurd convinced him they were working on a UCLA film project and he allowed them to finish.
- GoofsWhen Sarah is in the night club she has to put change into the pay phone to call 911.
While 911 calls are free, many pay phones in the 1980s required you to insert a coin in order to obtain a dial tone.
- Quotes
The Terminator: [59:15] 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.
The Terminator: Where is she?
Desk Sergeant: [uses his pencil to point to the bench] Look, it may take a while. Want to wait? There's a bench over there.
[points to bench]
The Terminator: [looks around, examining the structural integrity of the room, then looks back at him] I'll be back!
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits run while large outlines of the two halves of THE TERMINATOR cross each other. After the last directorial credit is shown, the title THE TERMINATOR zooms backward, is filled by metallic blue, and reveals itself.
- Alternate versionsNBC edited 7 minutes and time-compressed 4 minutes of this film for its 1987 network television premiere.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Terminator: 'Terminated' Deleted Scenes (2001)
- SoundtracksYou Can't Do That
Performed by Tryanglz
Written by Ricky Phillips
Published by Ricky Lynn Phillips Music (BMI)
As we all know what the story is, I'll just tell you a bit about what is so fascinating about it. First I have to mention Michael Biehn. He has the real starring role. He is the character that has to explain everything to the audience. He has to explain this complicated story so that we know what is happening and why. It is not an easy job to do something like that and still come off looking all right. But Biehn is simply awesome in this film. A microcosm of his performance can be seen when Sara bites him. Biehn ( Kyle Reese ) replies " Terminator's don't feel pain. I do. Don't do that again. " That is such a great line delivered with the perfect expression, the perfect tone and the perfect timing. Biehn is perfect for the role.
This is also the first film that I saw as a youngster that ever warned me of the dangers of nuclear war and of the rapid advancements of machinery. Perhaps I was too young and naive to fully understand all that James Cameron was trying to say, but now that I am older, I can honestly say that the two Terminators are perfect anti nuke films. And they are so passionate with what they have to say. I like it when a film has something to say. I enjoy being entertained in the process but if you can manage both then you have a masterpiece. This is a masterpiece.
Finally. there are two other reasons to enjoy this film. One, this is the first film where "I'll be back" was spoken. Now it is part of Arnolds vernacular. Secondly, Bill Paxton is in it. And he adds spark to any film that he's in. Especially here, as the idiot punk leader that really gets the hell beat out of him, he has some great lines.
A great film.
The Amazing Arnold
The Amazing Arnold
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Terminator
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $6,400,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $38,371,200
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,020,663
- Oct 28, 1984
- Gross worldwide
- $78,371,200