IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Scanners (1981)
Scanners
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 19 | slideshow) Videos
Scanners (1981) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   11,179 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 10% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
David Cronenberg (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Scanners on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 January 1981 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
There are 4 billion people on earth. 237 are Scanners. They have the most terrifying powers ever created... and they are winning. more
Plot:
A scientist sends a man with extraordinary psychic powers to hunt others like him. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
3 wins & 9 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(45 articles)
Remake Of The Brood Is Becoming A Reality
 (From Cinema Blend. 22 November 2009, 8:54 PM, PST)

Weekly DVD & Blu-Ray Chopping List 11/17/2009
 (From Fangoria. 17 November 2009, 9:00 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Probably one of the best sci-fi social commentaries of our time. more (118 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Jennifer O'Neill ... Kim Obrist
Stephen Lack ... Cameron Vale

Patrick McGoohan ... Dr. Paul Ruth
Lawrence Dane ... Braedon Keller

Michael Ironside ... Darryl Revok
Robert A. Silverman ... Benjamin Pierce (as Robert Silverman)
Lee Broker ... Security One
Mavor Moore ... Trevellyan
Adam Ludwig ... Arno Crostic
Murray Cruchley ... Programmer 1 (as Lee Murray)
Fred Doederlein ... Dieter Tautz
Géza Kovács ... Killer in Record Store (as Geza Kovacs)
Sonny Forbes ... Killer in Attic (as Sony Forbes)
Jérôme Tiberghien ... Killer in Attic (as Jerome Tiberghien)
Denis Lacroix ... Killer in Barn
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Telepathy 2000
more
Runtime:
103 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The crash scene in the record store prominently features a float hanging from the ceiling for the RSO (Robert Stigwood Organization) record label, who paid for this placement. By the time the film was released, RSO had gone out of business. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Kim (Jennifer O'Neil) runs from her burning apartment, she suddenly is wearing a winter coat when she gets outside, a coat that she did not have on as she escaped from the flames. more
Quotes:
Cameron Vale: Then what did you need Keller for?
Darryl Revok: ConSec had hardware. It had contacts. Keller could see the future.
Cameron Vale: The future? You murdered the future.
Darryl Revok: That's negative, Cam. Defeatist. Disappoints me to hear you talk that way. You're starting to sound like them.
Darryl Revok: [continues talking while walking through the room. Cameron takes a stone paperweight in his hands from Revok's desk and observes it] There's a whole generation of scanners soldiers just a few months away from being born. We'll find them. Train them to be like us. Not like Obrist and their band of cripples. We'll bring the world of normals to their knees. We'll build an empire so brilliant, so glorious. We'll be the envy of the whole planet.
Cameron Vale: You sound just like him. Like Ruth.
Darryl Revok: No, not like him.
[furiously yelling]
Darryl Revok: Like Revok, Darryl Revok!
Cameron Vale: No. Like him. It's as though he's been reincarnated in you.
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Quicksilver Highway (1997) (TV) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
33 out of 44 people found the following comment useful.
Probably one of the best sci-fi social commentaries of our time., 9 November 2004
9/10
Author: mccarthystuart from Liverpool, England

Well, were to begin?

First off, when I first saw Scanners, it really didn't do that much for me. Nowadays, I've learnt to view the film through more enlightened eyes, and appreciate it for the masterpiece that is most rightfully is.

Apart from the much-lauded 'exploding head' scene (which could have used a little more blood spattering everywhere) one of the film's most chilling scenes is at the very beginning when the lead character, Cameron Vale (Stephen Lack) causes a woman to have a fit in a shopping mall before being captured by a pair of heavies. The scene was so convincingly played out that it really shock me up.

The more interesting aspect is the fact that most of these 'scanners'(or telepathic curiosities as the CEO of Consec calls them) are usually forced to live on the fringes of society as their telekinetic powers are feared and misunderstood by many. It would seem that the director, David Cronenberg, was using this plot device as a metaphor to comment on society's prejudicial attitudes towards the mentally ill. Like many of his low-budget horror films right up to 'The Fly' (1986) 'Scanners' has a very subversive, fly-on-the-wall take on society's ills. The modern society portrayed in 'Scanners' is a world viewed through the eyes of the outcast.

Throughout the film, there is a general feeling of starkness, from the synthesiser-tinged score by Howard Shore, to the general sparse look of the film. This gives the viewer a rather apt feeling of coldness and isolation.

Michael Ironside steals the show as the unhinged renegade scanner, Darryl Revok, who has a vast army of scanner converts at his disposal ready and willing to annihilate anyone unfortunate enough to stand in their way.

The only down side, however is the casting of Stephen Lack as Cameron Vale. Although he makes a fairly decent effort of playing his part, Lack just doesn't seem to have that much-needed 'spark' to bring his character to life.

All in all, 'Scanners' comes highly recommended as a 'must-see' feature.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (118 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Scanners (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
i loved this movie... wolferian_shadow
Can someone explain the ending? eYeDEF
TERRIBLE Acting violentworld
Help me out here please night_wolf873
Seen this film 2 times 1984 + 2009 still crap :( karensastar73
scanner factions malth
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Akira The Fugitive Day of the Dead Split Second The Crazies
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Horror section IMDb Canada section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.