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Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!

  • 1978
  • PG
  • 1h 23m
IMDb RATING
4.6/10
16K
YOUR RATING
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978)
Trailer for Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: 25th Anniversary Edition
Play trailer1:21
1 Video
77 Photos
B-HorrorDark ComedyParodySatireAdventureComedyHorrorMusicalSci-Fi

A group of scientists band together to save the world from mutated killer tomatoes.A group of scientists band together to save the world from mutated killer tomatoes.A group of scientists band together to save the world from mutated killer tomatoes.

  • Director
    • John De Bello
  • Writers
    • Costa Dillon
    • John De Bello
    • J. Stephen Peace
  • Stars
    • Cindy Charles
    • Joe Price
    • Gordon Ross
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.6/10
    16K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John De Bello
    • Writers
      • Costa Dillon
      • John De Bello
      • J. Stephen Peace
    • Stars
      • Cindy Charles
      • Joe Price
      • Gordon Ross
    • 136User reviews
    • 64Critic reviews
    • 9Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
    Trailer 1:21
    Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

    Photos77

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    Top cast68

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    Cindy Charles
    • Housewife
    Joe Price
    • Detective #1
    Gordon Ross
    • Detective #2
    D. Wayne Cyphert
    • Husband
    Efemia Dillon
    • Wife
    Rebecca Birch
    • Old Woman
    Nigel Barber
    Nigel Barber
    • Guard at Gate
    John De Bello
    John De Bello
    • Janitor…
    Paul Abbot
    • Sergeant
    Jerrold Anderson
    • Major Mills
    • (as Jerry Anderson)
    David Miller
    • Mason Dixon
    George Wilson
    • Jim Richardson
    Wayne Wynne
    • Mr. Mikkelson
    Chad Demmon
    • Bobby Drake
    Eric Christmas
    Eric Christmas
    • Senator Polk
    Jack Nolen
    • Senator McKinley
    Ron Shapiro
    • Newspaper Editor
    Alan Scharf
    • Roberts
    • Director
      • John De Bello
    • Writers
      • Costa Dillon
      • John De Bello
      • J. Stephen Peace
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews136

    4.615.9K
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    Featured reviews

    sales-168

    Marvellously insane

    This is a wonderful movie if viewed in the light in which it was made. Light hearted, off the wall and delightfully derivative. A must for all "corny movie" buffs. If ever there was a movie to reflect the maker's dream, either good or bad, then this is it. Drawing from all genres, making use of "jingle" music and madcap visuals, this classic movie has long been derided as a world worst movie ever made. This is unfair, as it shows what can be done on a modest budget, with the makers' imagination and a sack-load of tongue-in-cheek gags. There is also the well held belief that this could be the worst vegetable movie ever made. However, there has always been confusion as to whether the tomato is actually a fruit.
    7jimtinder

    Satire and ketchup all rolled into one!

    "Tomatoes" has been unfairly maligned as one of the worst movies of all time. This is too bad, because the film is really a satire of cheap, bad sci-fi movies. So what better way to satirize a cheap, bad sci-fi movie than by unintentionally making one?

    If you saw this movie as a child or teenager, scenes will be indelibly imprinted upon your mind. The guy taking a shower in a hallway; the dubbed voice of the Japanese scientist; the helicopter crash (which wasn't supposed to happen...the pilot came in at too steep of an angle and crushed the back rotor blade. The pilot lost control and crashed the copter. The producers, not wanting to waste this precious filming of an actual accident, put it in the film and instructed actor Jack Riley to pretend to crawl away from the smoldering wreckage); the tomato chasing a woman in a parking lot, with oh-so-noticeable wheels propelling it forward; ah, the magic of film.

    Brought to you in part by future California state Assemblyman and State Senator J. Stephen "Rock" Peace.
    6MrVibrating

    It's hilarious moments are just enough to cover the dullness in between

    Attack of the killer tomatoes is low-budget's answer to summer blockbuster Snakes on a Plane. Technically, it's the other way around, since AOTKT came first, but whatever. It's dumb, it has a small cult following, and you understand the plot when you read the title.

    Tomatoes, you know, the kind in salads, attack people. This is shown in the movie, mostly as tomatoes being thrown at people with tomatoes on the ground everywhere. This continues for an entire movie, which might sound repetitive, but there's other side-tracks of the story as well, which more often than not are very funny.

    The production values are non-existent but the filmmakers do their best to cover them up("I'm sorry, gentlemen, for the size of this room", the general says and then all the scientists climb over each other to get a seat) There are lots of silly plot points and many totally unnecessary, some funny and some not. Whenever it gets draggy, there's usually something really funny just in time. That's not bad.

    If you need to have this told to you, then you will not like this movie, but I'll tell you anyway: Do NOT take this movie seriously. Enjoy the musical numbers, the stupid "Jaws"-like tomato attacks, the crazy characters, and all the other details that in then end makes AOTKT a fun experience.
    DJ Inferno

    Schlock in perfection!

    Some may call this the worst movie of all times, but if you have shots like "The Toxic Avenger", "Plan 9 from outer space" or "Dracula Vs. Frankenstein" in your collection this is exactly the right film for you! The humor in "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" appears like a cheap version of Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker-flicks à la "Airplane!" or "The Naked Gun", but always pretty entertaining and amusing! If you´re in search for the right stuff for your next party check this out - but don´t do the mistake and take this too serious in any way!!
    5medrjel

    An Honest review

    I will be the first to admit I absolutely ADORE this film. I absolutely love the sendup of horror films that seemed to exist up to that time. However, it really is a bad film.

    I gave it a 5. Why, I think it is honestly a movie you will either love or hate. It is hard to be ambivalent about this film. The effects are cheesy, the dialogue silly, and the concept even sillier. Yet, I don't think it could of been pulled off any better. I think everyone should check this film out at least once, but do it with friends.

    "Could someone please pass the ketchup?"

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The helicopter crash in the early scenes was unintentional. The tail rotor blades accidentally hit the ground, causing the helicopter to spin out of control. Debris and the top rotor blades narrowly missed the police officers in the scene and the crew off camera. The pilot received minor injuries. After being pulled from the wreck, Jack Riley and George Wilson quickly ad-libbed the rest of the scene as the wreck was set on fire. The crash of the $60,000 rented helicopter used up more of the budget than all other aspects of the film combined.
    • Goofs
      The amount of squashed tomato on the police car's windshield changes.
    • Quotes

      Wilbur Finletter: My God! It's Adolf Hitler!

      Mason Dixon: This is Sam Smith. He's our undercover expert. He's only disguised as Adolf Hitler.

    • Crazy credits
      Special Appearance of the Royal Shakespearean Tomatoes by Arrangement with the Queen
    • Alternate versions
      The director's cut features a mockumentary called "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! Director's Cut: A Masterpiece Restored" on the restoration and the making of the film.
    • Connections
      Edited into Muppet Babies: The Weirdo Zone (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Theme from 'Attack of the Killer Tomatoes'
      Words and Music by John De Bello

      Arranged by Gordon Goodwin

      Performed by Lewis Lee

      [Played over the opening title and credits]

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    FAQ

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 4, 1978 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • KT Entertainment
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • El ataque de los tomates asesinos
    • Filming locations
      • Qualcomm Stadium - 9449 Friars Road, San Diego, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Four Square Productions
      • Sanrio Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $90,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 23 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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