Jaws is probably one of the most blatantly ripped-off movies in history, but one Spielberg clone actually turned out to be a cult classic nearly 50 years later. It’s hard to overstate the importance of Jaws, and it not only established Steven Spielberg as a master of popular cinema, but essentially invented the summer blockbuster.
The simple-but-effective concept inspired countless imitators who wanted to cash in on the popularity of Jaws by making animal attack movies of their own. The late 1970s was awash in so-called “sharksploitation” movies that ranged in quality from utterly laughable to bona fide cult classics. Movies like Piranha have lived on, while plenty of others merely sank.
One particular Jaws ripoff stood out, and is actually fondly remembered as a cult classic decades later. Unlike many of its contemporaries, the film invested money into its effects, and told a unique story that had a lot to say. It’s not nearly as good as Jaws, but it certainly deserves a place among the best animal attack movies.
Orca Was One Of Many Blatant Jaws Ripoffs
With its one-word тιтle, Orca was clearly trying to get in on the trends created by Jaws. It tells the story of a vengeful killer whale that goes on a rampage after its pregnant mate is killed. The unstoppable underwater death machine causes chaos in the waters of Newfoundland, a far cry from the sunny shores of Martha’s Vineyard.
Critics were quite unimpressed by the film upon release, and the obvious Jaws comparisons docked it points with most reviewers. However, Orca was a small box office success, which proved producer Dino De Laurentiis correct when he gambled on a Jaws ripoff. Box Office Mojo notes the film made about $14 million, which equates to about $77 million today.
In comparison, Jaws grossed $260 million domestically, which is the equivalent of around $1.6 billion today.
Despite the negative reviews, Orca is one of the more original copycat movies. It does indeed feature an aquatic animal menace just like Jaws, but the film also blends in elements of Moby Dick. The whale has motivation, and is not entirely unprovoked. The film’s environmental message is also entirely new, which makes it better than most ripoffs.
Orca Is Now A Cult Classic Animal Horror Movie
Orca‘s changes to the Jaws formula are the biggest reason the film is still remembered today, but it has other positives too. It’s a pretty well-made movie all around, and is much better than the ultra-cheap ripoffs that were pumped out to make a buck. Orca is undoubtedly a ripoff, but some care actually went into the production.
It has earned its cult classic status thanks to some effective attack scenes, and strong performances from the likes of Richard Harris and Charlotte Rampling. It might not hold a candle to Jaws, but Orca is far superior to most of the film’s sequels and almost all the ripoffs that have been released in the last 50 years.
