The Great Alligator

1979

1h 28m

IMDb RATING

4.3/10

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Horror

Mystery

Tourists on a tropical island anger an island god, who turns himself into a giant alligator and stalks them.

Directors

Sergio Martino

Writers

Ernesto Gastaldi(writer by)

George Eastman(story by)

Cesare Frugoni(writer by)

Stars

Barbara Bach

Claudio Cassinelli

Mel Ferrer

See production, box office & company info

Top cast

Alice Brandt

Daniel Nessel

Joshua

Peter

Minou's Mother

Maurice, lover of Minou's Mother

Jane

Laura

Joshua's forman

Tourist

Tourist With Rifle

British Tourist

British Tourist

Sheena

Minou

Prophet Jameson

Tourist (uncredited)

Directors

Sergio Martino

Writers

Ernesto Gastaldi(writer by)

George Eastman(story by)

Cesare Frugoni(writer by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

***A monstrous crocogator attacks a resort on Sri Lanka in this Italo rip-off of “Jaws”*** An entrepreneur (Mel Ferrer) introduces his new exotic resort off the coast of south-central Asia to a photographer and employee (Claudio Cassinelli & Barbara Bach). When the ‘god’ of the remote river is angered by the intrusion he manifests as a giant alligator and starts killing people, including Natives. Naturally, the local tribe rises up to get rid of the tourists. “The Great Alligator” (1979) is an Italian production, also known as “The Great Alligator River,” “The Big Alligator River” or merely “Alligator.” It’s an Italo knock-off of “Jaws” (1975) and its immediate copies “Piranha” (1978) and “Grizzly” (1976), albeit with a huge crocogator and a south-central Asian setting. It lacks the finesse of “Jaws” and the amusement of “Piranha,” but it has more pizazz than the bland “Grizzly.” The eccentric score is a highlight, mixing 70’s prog rock, tribal percussions and disco. Lory Del Santo as Jane is notable as one of the partying tourists; she is featured in two superb shots from behind (you’ll know when you see ’em). There’s also an amusing precocious girl with her mother who’s ready to par-tay. Just don’t look for any semblance of political correctness (which is a good thing). The movie runs 1 hour, 29 minutes, and was shot in Sri Lanka. GRADE: B-/C+

Wuchak11 Aug, 2019