Films To Watch Before You Die #87 - The Terminator (1984)

D.J. Haza presents the next entry in his series of films to watch before you die…

The Terminator, 1984.

Directed by James Cameron.
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen.

The Terminator is a classic Hollywood action film about a cyborg assassin (Schwarzenegger) sent on a mission that sees him travel back in time to 1984 Los Angeles in order to kill Sarah Connor (Hamilton), the mother of the rebel leader of 2029 who poses the biggest threat to the Terminator’s leaders. Resistance fighter Kyle Reese (Biehn) is sent back by his own leader, John Connor to protect Sarah and ensure that she survives in order for John to be born and lead the future resistance movement to the verge of success.

As the cold and calculated Terminator tracks Sarah to a nightclub he comes within inches of achieving his mission before Reese saves her and the two of them flee. As the pair of them run from the Terminator they find themselves getting arrested and despite Reese’s attempts to explain himself, the police doctor insists he is crazy. Before they can take any action the Terminator blows his way into the police station and begins massacring all in his search for Sarah.

Sarah and Reese make a break for it again and hide in a motel. Reese admits his love for Sarah and the pair make love before being found again by the Terminator. In their final attempt to escape they end up in a factory that sees Reese sacrifice himself in order to stop the relentless machine and save Sarah.

The film is hailed as cinematic milestone and praised for its high octane action, but also its quality storytelling and the relationship between Sarah and Reese. It has influenced many films and filmmakers since its release and is one the most quoted movies ever with the Terminator’s very few lines of dialogue being world renowned quips.

The Terminator is a film you must see before you die as it is a fantastic piece of visionary cinema with Cameron’s concept being so original, ground breaking and well thought-out from start to finish, as well as being so well written.