Dogs (1976)

Wonderful Movie

Very Cool!!!

best movie i've ever seen.

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

Dogs ain't a half bad made flick, about a potpourri of dogs, who meet up and go on a killing spree, killing anything animal or human. What is doing it? That's the million dollar question. It leads us to question our our species, as if becoming part of a gang, where we become brainwashed, and commit things we normally wouldn't do, if graduating to murder. But in this open ended, and not too optimistic film, that's pretty gruesome, near it's finale, it's M rating pushing it, we don't find out. Bugger. David McCallum lends a fine performance as the smart hunky professor of Scientology, the real smartie, determined to get to the bottom of the killings, those cattle mutilations early on, aren't for sheep lovers. The violence in Dogs in pretty raw and frank. A younger Linda Gray co-stars before her Dallas days, as Wyner's performance as the new Scientist was strong, and actually likable in a sense. Suspense runs high, some of it electric near the end, and is well executed, the opening music score with our favorite pooches in slo mo, all banding together, my favorite part. They're are some unintentionally funny moments, whether dialogue or acting, but they made 70's movies what they were. This is a well made film, badly dated "Yes", but bad, "No". Warning: Are some scenes are dog murder.

Here we have a so-so entry into the popular "nature strikes back" genre of the 1970s, in which general ineptitude, substandard attack scenes, some unintentional hilarity, sincere but bland acting, and canine aggressors that never come across as *that* scary combine to make a passable B level thriller. TV veteran Burt Brinckerhoff fails to ever generate very much tension, but it's still basically amusing to see the damage that these dogs do. They sure create a fair amount of gore before this is over. There's some very mild titillation: a pre- 'Dallas' Linda Gray gets into the shower, and is attacked, in yet another nod to "Psycho". The music, by Alan Oldfield, has that very 70s feel to it, and isn't always effective.In addition to Ms. Gray, a couple of familiar faces turn up in this tale of ordinary domesticated dogs forming a pack and turning savage in a sleepy college community. Could it have something to do with secret government experiments involving an accelerator? Who knows. What it amounts to is a big problem for people such as beer guzzling biology professor Harlan Thompson (played by David McCallum of 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' fame) and his new associate Michael Fitzgerald (George Wyner of "Spaceballs"). In an obvious nod to "Jaws", they have a tough time convincing their boss of the danger until it's too late.If one really wants to see mans' best friend kick some human ass, the movie "The Pack" from the following year is technically the better effort. But "Dogs" isn't without its delights, such as the aforementioned shower attack scene and the climactic action on the campus when the dogs crash through glass. There are more laughs than thrills to be had here, but that should count for something. McCallum is an underwhelming hero; you're not likely to care whether or not he makes it. And Wyner doesn't fare much better. Also among the cast are Eric Server ('B.J. and the Bear'), Sterling Swanson ('Don't Be Afraid of the Dark'), Russ Grieve (Big Bob Carter in Wes Cravens' "The Hills Have Eyes"), and future producer Lance Hool ("10 to Midnight").When all is said and done, "Dogs" doesn't add up to much, but it's worth it just for that priceless final shot that sets up a sequel that never got made.Five out of 10.

a true story.at 13 & 10, my younger brother and i, who had a large 2 yr old neighborhood Shepperd (turk), went to see this movie and were unaware of the terror this film evoked until coming home from the theater that night. being a neighborhood dog, turk was roaming in the night alley as we walked by.recognizing us, of course, with his reflective eyes, the dog advanced toward us. if you can imagine two boys being chased by their own dog down the street screaming murder, in sheer terror. we were banging on the door for help. the dog thought we were playing and joined in and further excited our fears.over 20 yrs later my brother and i tell that story with fond memories of the era the dog and the movie.having grown up in the horror hay-day of the 70s and having, arguably, seen the best and worst that Hollywood has to offer. psychologically, this film teems with possibilities for a remake. without all that computer generated junk.

I and several friends were students at Southwestern Community College and extras in film Dogs. I was pleased to be an extra and found the filming intriguing. We appeared several times on the campus shots. Some of the scenes were shot on my street. I have been unable to find a copy of the video.