Cujo (1983)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Lewis Teague

Writers:

Stephen King (novel)
Don Carlos Dunaway (writer) ...

Release Date:

12 August 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Now there's a new name for terror...

Plot:

A friendly St. Bernard named "Cujo" contracts rabies and conducts a reign of terror on a small American town.

Plot Keywords:

Rabies | Cheating Husband | Childhood Memory | Husband Wife Relationship | Small Town

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Dee Wallace	...	Donna Trenton
Danny Pintauro	...	Tad Trenton
Daniel Hugh Kelly	...	Vic Trenton (as Daniel Hugh-Kelly)
Christopher Stone	...	Steve Kemp
Ed Lauter	...	Joe Camber
Kaiulani Lee	...	Charity Camber
Billy Jayne	...	Brett Camber (as Billy Jacoby)
Mills Watson	...	Gary Pervier
Sandy Ward	...	Bannerman
Jerry Hardin	...	Masen
Merritt Olsen	...	Professor
Arthur Rosenberg	...	Roger Breakstone
Terry Donovan-Smith	...	Harry
Robert Elross	...	Meara
Robert Behling	...	Fournier

Runtime:

91 min | Canada:93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | West Germany:16 | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Canada:18A (Ontario) | Finland:K-15 (uncut) | Finland:K-16 (uncut) (1994) (VHS version) | Finland:K-16 (uncut) (2000) (DVD version) | Finland:K-18 (cut) (1983) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | Singapore:PG (cut) | New Zealand:R16 | Australia:M | France:-12 | Norway:18 | Poland:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Glen Ellen, California, USA

Company:

Sunn Classic Pictures

Trivia:

The foam around Cujo's mouth was made of a concoction of egg whites and sugar. The dogs caused problems on the set by constantly licking the tasty stuff off.

Goofs:

Continuity: Cujo smashes the passenger side window of the car, however a little later it is back intact. It then changes through the movie.

Quotes:

[after Donna breaks off their affair, Steve vindictively dashes off a note to Donna's husband]
Steve Kemp: What's the mole just above her pubic hair look like to you? To me it looks like a question mark.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Hard Corps (2006)

A horror film that grabs and won't let go!

Stephen King-based thriller is a sweat-inducing shocker that ranks among the most intense King adaptations.

Woman and child are trapped inside their stalled car by a huge, rabid dog.

Cujo remains one of the more memorable Stephen King novels because it's a tale of such merciless suspense and in the hands of director Lewis Teague much of that same horror transcends well into this film. This film benefits greatly from a powerful story with some well fleshed-out characters, it's much more than just another 'animal attacks' movie. Teague's direction is also very tight and helps to build an unnerving tension through out this film. The atmosphere is very heated, the look of the movie very gritty, and the danger feels all the more real! The camera work is also excellent and makes this film feel truly claustrophobic! It builds to a finale that is heart-stopping. The music score is harrowing and the filming locations are good.

Cast-wise the film is quite strong too. The great Dee Wallace delivers an emotionally powerful performance as a mother desperate to protect her child and survive herself. Young Danny Pintauro is great as Wallace's horrified child. The supporting cast is good too, as are the numerous St. Bernard's that play our vicious title character.

Cujo is a top-notch suspense film that never loses its edge. A must-see, and not just for King fans.

**** out of ****