MovieChat Forums > Alligator (1980) Discussion > Just noticed the creepiest thing!

Just noticed the creepiest thing!

posted 17 years ago by VENOMOUS1375
25 replies | jump to latest

I was just looking through certain parts of my new DVD, and came across a scene involving Madison and Kelly. Here's some spoiler stuff, so becareful:

After the part where Kelly sneaks up on Madison, they stop and look at the map, trying to find their way out. When Madison points the flashlight at the map, look at the upper middle-to right side of your screen! I've watched this movie a lot over the last 27 years, and never noticed this! Creepy. For God's sake, don't let the guy who said this movie freaked him out, read this. Haha.

[–] mborick 17 years ago

I think I know what you're referring to, and like you, I just noticed this while watching the DVD a few days ago. I never noticed it in my many prior viewings!

[–] VENOMOUS1375 17 years ago

When Madison puts the flashlight on the map, you can see the snout, teeth and glowing red eye(Male alligator's eyes shine red when reflecting light) of the alligator as it turns its head to look at Madison and Kelly.

I thought this was a great use of lighting in this movie. I have the movie on tape somewhere, from when it came on tv in 1988. I need to see if the gator is visible. If not, I'll have a new appreciation for remastered movies.

[–] janus-20 17 years ago

Yeah, i noticed that quick glimpse of the alligator behind them when i saw it in the cinema in 1980. You've got to be quick, its when they stop to read the map of the sewers. Its weird because on the dvd commentary both Robert Forster and Lewis Teague werent aware if the film was released theatrically in Europe, i live in the UK and went to see it with a couple of friends.

[–] Megavader 17 years ago

Well it is wide screen and that was cropped off for the TV version (still have a vhs copy from'87 when channel 19 here in Cleve,OH used to show movies uncut,blood, missing limbs n' all) you don't really see it at all, as i checked.

[–] VENOMOUS1375 17 years ago

Thanks for checking. I can't remember where my tv copy is at the moment. It's a wonderful touch , really, to a great movie. They just don't make animal flicks like JAWS or Alligator anymore.

[–] hocfocprod 16 years ago

I don't think I've ever seen it widescreen. I'll have to get my hands on a copy now. I feel cheated.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] phelpssue 16 years ago

I didn't notice it until I saw it again years later.

[–] Doc110894 16 years ago

I think this scene is a tad creepier on VHS, because it's darker.

[–] porosus 16 years ago

I am in Australia which means that unless you have a 29 year old VHS copy, you cant see it. I watched this so many times over and over until my copy fell apart 15 years ago. We are still waiting for a dvd release here so I bought the Anchor bay double pack and happened to read this thread before watching it after all of these years. I cant believe that I never saw this before! The vhs copy was pretty bad, I guess,so thats probably why I never saw it then but I have to admit that this new revelation is pretty creepy. Like most others though, the pool scene has stuck with me to this day. Bring this out on R4 already!

[–] barrybuttery 15 years ago

just download it and then buy the dvd when it comes out.

[–] openstorage 15 years ago

The glimpse of the Gator is emphasised by a creepy sound/music. It's nicely done all the same, no doubt 'inspired' by the scene in Alien where Dallas is searching the ships maintainence tunnels for the Alien and you get a quick flash of it behind him waiting (if you watch closely) before it strikes!

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[–] noob5000000 15 years ago

http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd320/noob5000000/?action=view&current=omgalligator.jpg

[–] sillyspaghetti 15 years ago

Eek! That would scare me to death! I remember seeing an old VHS copy in the late 80s/early 90s. Been scared of crocs/gators for years now, thanks to this and Live And Let Die!

"Hey! Ladies! That was fun!"

[–] BrainGremlin 13 years ago

Saw it for the first time yesterday. That was possibly my favorite moment of the entire movie. Such powerful subtlety is the mark of a brilliant filmmaker.

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I hear his theme music, he's around here somewhere...

[–] Hey_Sweden 13 years ago

I love that scene! Very effective stuff.

What do you think this is, a signature? It's a way of life!

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] BrotherZed 11 years ago

I just finished rewatching this movie for the first time since 84 or so. That scene was kind of cool lol. There was no trace of red eye though, it was just the jaws that was visible.

[–] Verdugo85 11 years ago

Yup, I know what brief moment you're talking about..