Search - The Terminator on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Not For Children Movie Release: 1984 DVD Release: 09/03/1997 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 47 mins Studio: Image Entertainment Members Wishing: 18 Genres: Action, Science Fiction, Sci-Fi Action See Also: The Terminator [Special Edition], The Terminator [UMD for PSP], The Terminator [Blu-ray], The Terminator [Lenticular Cover], The Terminator [Widescreen]

Endlessly imitated, The Terminator made the reputation of cowriter/director James Cameron -- who would go on to make 1997's titanic Titanic -- and solidified the stardom of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The movie begins in a post-apocalyptic 2029, when Los Angeles has been largely reduced to rubble and is under the thumb of all-powerful ruling machines. Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), a member of the human resistance movement, is teleported back to 1984. His purpose: to rescue Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the mother of the man who will lead the 21st-century rebels against the tyrannical machines, from being assassinated before she can give birth. Likewise thrust back to 1984 is The Terminator (Schwarzenegger), a grim, well-armed, virtually indestructable cyborg who has been programmed to eliminate Sarah Connor. After killing two "Sarah Connors" who turn out to be the wrong women, he finally aims his gunsights at the genuine article. This is the film in which Schwarzenegger declared "I'll be baaaack" -- and back he was, in "kinder and gentler" form, in the even more successful Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Arnold Schwarzenegger - Terminator
Michael Biehn - Kyle Reese
Linda Hamilton - Sarah Connor
Paul Winfield - Traxler
Lance Henriksen - Vukovich

This release of the 1984 feature confines itself to monophonic audio "to preserve the filmmaker's intent." Given what can be done to upgrade sound these days, this decision is really a pity. The film comes with a brief trailer but no other special features. The widescreen video quality is adequate, done in the movie's 1:85:1 theatrical aspect ratio. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, and Paul Winfield, this otherwise entertaining first in the Terminator duo comes in a flimsy cardboard and plastic case. Those who liked the theater version will like this -- it's exactly the same with no extras added. ~ Craig Chalquist, All Movie Guide