Cast
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Tippi Hedren
as Madeleine
Melanie Griffith
as Melanie
John Marshall
as John
Jerry Marshall
as Jerry
Kyalo Mativo
as Mativo
Frank Tom
as Frank
Steve Miller
as Prentiss
Rick Glassey
as Rick
Lenord Bokwa
as Airport Personnel
Shamasi Sarumi
as Airport Personnel
Will Hutchins
as Committee
Eve Rattner
as Committee
Peter Thiongo
as Committee
Zakes Mokae
as Committee
MIchael Franz
as Committee
Crew
Director
- Noel Marshall
Writer
- Noel Marshall
Producer
- Tippi Hedren
- Noel Marshall
- Robert Gottschalk
Reviews
tmdb15214618
This is not a real movie. Possibly the most repugnant thing ever made for cinema, Roar is just a snuff film without any snuffing. Its only merit is in making the viewer despise everyone involved. I'd give it a zero if I could.
Aug 6, 2017
Thematic Analysis
This Adventure/Horror/Thriller film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Roar presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Noel Marshall brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1981, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Roar took approximately 17 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $17.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 102 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 141 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 3 weeks before filming began.
- The musical score contains over 36 unique compositions.
- The film contains approximately 878 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 1981, when this film was released:
- MTV launched, changing how music was marketed and consumed.
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Roar shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Freaks, which focuses more on action than character development, Roar subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Camp Dread explore similar territory, Roar stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: October 30, 1981
- Runtime: 1h 42m
- Budget: $17,000,000
- Revenue: $2,000,000
