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Mako: The Jaws of Death

Original title: Mako: Jaws of Death
  • 1976
  • PG
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
4.3/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Mako: The Jaws of Death (1976)
A Vietnam veteran with a psychic connection to sharks discovers their exploitation by the local aquarium and begins an underwater reign of terror to avenge them. The movie action scenes were shot using real sharks.
Play trailer1:31
1 Video
39 Photos
ActionDramaFantasySci-FiThriller

A Vietnam veteran with a psychic connection to sharks discovers their exploitation by the local aquarium and begins an underwater reign of terror to avenge them. The movie action scenes were... Read allA Vietnam veteran with a psychic connection to sharks discovers their exploitation by the local aquarium and begins an underwater reign of terror to avenge them. The movie action scenes were shot using real sharks.A Vietnam veteran with a psychic connection to sharks discovers their exploitation by the local aquarium and begins an underwater reign of terror to avenge them. The movie action scenes were shot using real sharks.

  • Director
    • William Grefé
  • Writers
    • William Grefé
    • Robert W. Morgan
  • Stars
    • Richard Jaeckel
    • Jennifer Bishop
    • Buffy Dee
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.3/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • William Grefé
    • Writers
      • William Grefé
      • Robert W. Morgan
    • Stars
      • Richard Jaeckel
      • Jennifer Bishop
      • Buffy Dee
    • 25User reviews
    • 45Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:31
    Trailer

    Photos39

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    Top Cast26

    Edit
    Richard Jaeckel
    Richard Jaeckel
    • Sonny Stein
    Jennifer Bishop
    Jennifer Bishop
    • Karen
    • (as Jenifer Bishop)
    Buffy Dee
    Buffy Dee
    • Barney
    Harold Sakata
    Harold Sakata
    • Pete
    • (as Harold 'Odd Job' Sakata)
    John Davis Chandler
    John Davis Chandler
    • Charlie
    • (as John Chandler)
    Ben Kronen
    • Whitney
    Paul Preston
    • 2nd Patrolman
    Milton 'Butterball' Smith
    • Butter
    Bob Gordon
    • Bartender
    Jerry Albert
    • Mate
    George Johnson
    • Captain
    Richard O'Barry
    Richard O'Barry
    • 1st Patrolman
    • (as Ric O'Feldman)
    Luke Halpin
    Luke Halpin
    • 3rd Patrolman
    Dan Fitzgerald
    Dan Fitzgerald
    • Deputy
    Bob Leslie
    • Client
    Raff Prieto
    • Attendant
    Marcia Knight
    Marcia Knight
    • Secretary
    • (as Marcie Knight)
    Dete Parsons
    • Helper
    • Director
      • William Grefé
    • Writers
      • William Grefé
      • Robert W. Morgan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews25

    4.31.1K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    4hkwalker

    DVD versions

    I just purchased a DVD copy of this film, having subsisted on an ancient VHS tape for a few years. Alas, the DVD appears to have been mastered from either very poor stock, or from a VHS tape. The opening sequence is almost unwatchable. Even the credits appear blurry. The picture is dark and seems out of focus. I don't remember it being this way when I saw it in the theaters. Then again, I was six, so what did I know? I still like the psychic/psychotic connection Jaeckel has with the sharks, although I could definitely lose the hokey "shark medallion" sequence, which accomplished nothing. I've ordered a new DVD edition put out by a different company. Both versions sell very cheaply on Ebay. We'll see how it goes.
    5pinoymtb2000

    Shark Amulet

    The story is about a guy who received a shark amulet from an old man from Mindanao, Philippines in w/c later he's protecting all of his friends ( the sharks ) and he afters those people who hunts or use sharks for business. Then later, he feels tired, killed those shark hunters and users, when he drops the amulet, his friends ( sharks ) killed him. Very very basic yet enjoyable enough, easy to understand film in w/c the focus is a semi-revenge, semi-friend loving revenge films, an average one, but worth the watch. Recommended for peeps who likes shark movies and underwater and fishing lovers too. The amulet makes it a semi-fantasy film.
    5Cobbler

    Great Premise; Weak Execution.

    This cult horror flick has a memorable central character and some creepy shark-attack scenes, but its porno film-level production values and weak (I'm being kind) acting really bring it down. Better script than direction. Not without interest for 1970s drive-in movie fans, but the VHS copy I saw begged to be remastered and reissued. (Apparently Richard Jaeckel plays the lead, but the film was so dark I couldn't tell you for sure if it was him.) Would make a good double bill with Ben/Willard. 5/10.
    6HumanoidOfFlesh

    The Jaws of Death.

    Sonny loves sharks.He feeds them and swims with them.But when a group of fisherman set out to exploit and kill the sharks Sonny and his carnivorous friends take bloody revenge."Mako:Jaws of Death" by William Grefe is an average animal attack film with unspectacular death scenes.The performances are weak and there is no suspense.The cinematography is murky and there is very little blood.However some underwater shots look impressive.I have seen "Whiskey Mountain" by William Grefe and I must say that I enjoyed that movie more than "Mako:The Jaws of Death".Still if you are into low-budget 70's horror "Mako" is definitely one to check out.6 sharks out of 10.
    jaws!

    Fun shark movie

    This movie is about a guy whose best friends are sharks.

    He talks to them and gets revenge if anybody hurts them. A science lab does something awful to his sharks and they pay the price. The music score for this movie is quite good and it sets the mood. Also the only thing this movie has in common with Jaws is that it has sharks in it, the plot is totally different. It also has some amusing parts in it too. All in all a fun, amusing shark movie. I give Mako: The Jaws of Death **1/2 out of ****

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    Related interests

    Bruce Willis and Taniel in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
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    Drama
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
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    Sci-Fi
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    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      William Grefé wrote the story for this film prior to Jaws (1975), but could not get anyone to finance it until after Jaws (1975) was a huge hit at the box office.
    • Goofs
      As Sonny travels through the Everglades in his boat near the beginning of the film, water fowl on either side of the boat are taking off into the air as he passes by. In the shots with Sonny in the frame, there are no birds glimpsed anywhere.
    • Quotes

      Karen: [Sonny suggests she swim with the sharks like he does] You're not playing with a full deck!

      Sonny Stein: Look, I'm not crazy if that's what you mean.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Making of 'Mako: The Jaws of Death' (1976)

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    FAQ14

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 1976 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mako, der Killerhai
    • Filming locations
      • Key West, Florida, USA(main location)
    • Production companies
      • Mako Associates
      • Universal Majestic Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 26m(86 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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