The Terminator': An Oral History

[SpeedBash]

The original Terminator movie was released in the USA 30 years ago in 1984.

If you are a fan of the movie and are also interested in what happens behind the scenes, then this recent article at EW.com is worth a read.

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/07/17/the-terminat...

BTW, the below video fills in the gaps which the article fails to mention.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRXB0h7sf70

Edited by SpeedBash on Friday 24th October 19:51

Edited by SpeedBash on Sunday 8th October 21:26

[Alucidnation]

Good find!

Thanks!

[CrutyRammers]

Enjoyed that, thanks for posting!

[GALLARDOGUY]

Interesting stuff!

[viggyp]

My favourite SciFi movie and so much more atmospheric compared to the overblown and, at times corny sequel.

[Veeayt]

Jesus, 30 years I'm old. Thanks for sharing.

[MrOnTheRopes]

viggyp said:

My favourite SciFi movie and so much more atmospheric compared to the overblown and, at times corny sequel.

Totally agree.

Forget the slightly dodgy-looking CGI ... it's the atmosphere (dark 'n' moody L.A). It's something I fail to experience with any modern films.
I enjoy T2, but it was getting 'glossy' and injecting silly jokes here and there.

[Supernova190188]

viggyp said:

My favourite SciFi movie and so much more atmospheric compared to the overblown and, at times corny sequel.

T2 is one of my favourite movies of all time , even though i've seen it plenty of times somehow if it's on tv i'll still end up getting drawn in and watching.

[viggyp]

MrOnTheRopes said:

viggyp said:

My favourite SciFi movie and so much more atmospheric compared to the overblown and, at times corny sequel.

Totally agree.

Forget the slightly dodgy-looking CGI ... it's the atmosphere (dark 'n' moody L.A). It's something I fail to experience with any modern films.
I enjoy T2, but it was getting 'glossy' and injecting silly jokes here and there.

Admittedly, when T2 came out I thought it was better than T1 but after watching both consecutively a whole back T1 was easily the best film. T2 was overlong, corny in places and it was basically the same story but with Arnie as the good metal man.......and I know I'll get slated for what I'm about to say (possibly rightly so) but I thought liquid robots are a bit too far fetched.

All being said, I really do still enjoy it.

[Halb]

The sequels are decent enough. But The Terminator is considered a seminal classic in it's genre. And it is not difficult to see why when you watch it.
Always fun to see the Cameron regulars young as well.

[HTP99]

Great find, very interesting and thanks for posting.

Supernova190188 said:

viggyp said:

My favourite SciFi movie and so much more atmospheric compared to the overblown and, at times corny sequel.

T2 is one of my favourite movies of all time , even though i've seen it plenty of times somehow if it's on tv i'll still end up getting drawn in and watching.

I prefer T2 to Terminator; I would have to say it is my favourite film, I've seen it dozens of times, probably knocking on for 100.

[spud989]

Thanks for the link. I'm another superfan of the Terminator series - I've probably seen them multiple dozens of time too. Will always watch when it's on TV. I also have a biomechanical tattoo

[Alucidnation]

Love both films equally.

I understand what people are saying about the first being more "gritty", but i think that was due to the lower budget than that of T2.

I will also, without fail, watch them when either is on, whatever time of the night.

Im not even sure how many times i have seen them now, plus i also get the 'tut' from the wife when i see it on the planner.

[Negative Creep]

viggyp said:

MrOnTheRopes said:

viggyp said:

My favourite SciFi movie and so much more atmospheric compared to the overblown and, at times corny sequel.

Totally agree.

Forget the slightly dodgy-looking CGI ... it's the atmosphere (dark 'n' moody L.A). It's something I fail to experience with any modern films.
I enjoy T2, but it was getting 'glossy' and injecting silly jokes here and there.

Admittedly, when T2 came out I thought it was better than T1 but after watching both consecutively a whole back T1 was easily the best film. T2 was overlong, corny in places and it was basically the same story but with Arnie as the good metal man.......and I know I'll get slated for what I'm about to say (possibly rightly so) but I thought liquid robots are a bit too far fetched.

All being said, I really do still enjoy it.

Glad I'm not alone; as much as I love T2 it's always been a bit too polished and clean, whereas the original has that grimy film noire feel to it. It's also the only one of the series to realise that a concept of a machine unrelentingly chasing you is utterly terrifying. It can't be bargained with, it can't be reasoned with.........

[viggyp]

Negative Creep said:

viggyp said:

MrOnTheRopes said:

viggyp said:

My favourite SciFi movie and so much more atmospheric compared to the overblown and, at times corny sequel.

Totally agree.

Forget the slightly dodgy-looking CGI ... it's the atmosphere (dark 'n' moody L.A). It's something I fail to experience with any modern films.
I enjoy T2, but it was getting 'glossy' and injecting silly jokes here and there.

Admittedly, when T2 came out I thought it was better than T1 but after watching both consecutively a whole back T1 was easily the best film. T2 was overlong, corny in places and it was basically the same story but with Arnie as the good metal man.......and I know I'll get slated for what I'm about to say (possibly rightly so) but I thought liquid robots are a bit too far fetched.

All being said, I really do still enjoy it.

Glad I'm not alone; as much as I love T2 it's always been a bit too polished and clean, whereas the original has that grimy film noire feel to it. It's also the only one of the series to realise that a concept of a machine unrelentingly chasing you is utterly terrifying. It can't be bargained with, it can't be reasoned with.........

Yes and It's the attention to detail which is amazing, especially when the Terminator gets damaged and the next time you see him it shows the damage. A couple of effects are iffy but the majority of the time they are superb, even for a 30yo film. Have to watch it over the weekend now

[Matt_N]

I remember getting the T1 and T2 video boxset for Christmas one year from my auntie and uncle, at that time me and my younger brother had only seen T2 and tbh being 13 and 10 we didn't really grasp the shear brilliance of T1 until later on.

I think I prefer the idealogy behind T1, the fulfilment of roles rather than trying to change the path of time.

[hairykrishna]

Think both T1 and T2 are brilliant films but in different ways. Bit like Alien and Aliens really. Shame that the rest of the films in both franchises went so sharply downhill really.

[Halb]

The first one was about telling a story, the second was a little more about graphics and selling toys.
The Terminator was a lift from the unstoppable android in Wrstworld, with some time travel thrown in.

[Halb]

The first one was about telling a story, the second was a little more about graphics and selling toys.
The Terminator was a lift from the unstoppable android in Wrstworld, with some time travel thrown in.

I don't think the ideology behind the first two is that different.
Aliens was agenuinely great new idea.

Edited by Halb on Friday 1st August 10:28

[Matt_N]

The underlying message of T1 is that of a predestination paradox, in that although both the T-800 and Reese are sent back in time to change the course of the future, infact they both fulfill their roles as fate would have them.

T2 moves off from the predetermined path of the future, i.e. fate, instead focusing more on choice and how you can change the future.

IMO anyway.