Watch Day of the Animals

Day of the Animals is a 1977 disaster film directed by William Girdler. The movie tells the story of a group of travelers who embark on a camping trip into the remote mountains of California. However, their peaceful excursion turns into a living nightmare when a strange environmental phenomenon triggers a fierce and deadly attack from the wild animals that inhabit the area.

The movie features an impressive cast of talented actors, including Christopher George, Leslie Nielsen, and Lynda Day George. Christopher George plays Steve Buckner, the rugged and assertive mountain guide leading the group of campers. Leslie Nielsen portrays the arrogant and self-centered ad executive, Paul Jenson. Lynda Day George plays Terry Marsh, Jenson's assistant, and Buckner's love interest.

Day of the Animals starts with an ominous scene, where a pack of wolves is seen attacking and killing a mother and a child in a remote mountain town. The movie then cuts to the city, where Paul Jenson, the arrogant ad executive, is preparing a promotional campaign for a powerful sunscreen lotion. He convinces his boss to use the mountain trip as a photo opportunity for the campaign, and the group is sent on a camping trip into the mountains.

As the group sets out on the hike through the mountains, they begin to notice strange phenomena such as a rise in temperature, a lack of communication with the outside world, and an eerie silence. Things get worse when they realize that the animals are acting aggressively towards them, starting with insects and rodents and later on to more dangerous predators like wolves, bears, and cougars. The group is devastated when one of the campers is mauled to death by a grizzly bear.

Steve Buckner realizes that the animals are being driven insane by a depletion of the ozone layer. He and his group try to get back to civilization safely, but soon they find themselves outnumbered and surrounded by ravenous carnivores. Along the way, they encounter other survivors, including a group of hikers and a crazed mountain man played by veteran actor Richard Jaeckel.

As the situation becomes more dire, tensions rise among the group due to a dwindling food supply, exhaustion, and the realization that rescue may not be coming. Paul Jenson's character becomes particularly unlikable as his self-centered behavior jeopardizes the group's chances of survival.

Despite the presence of big names like Leslie Nielsen and Christopher George, the real stars of the movie are the animals. The filmmakers used a combination of real animals and trained ones to create the attacks and the chaos, and it's impressive how much mayhem ensues. The movie's pacing keeps the viewer on edge, with each new attack and struggle increasing the tension and sense of urgency.

Day of the Animals was released in the late 70s, when environmental concerns were becoming mainstream. The movie capitalizes on the public's growing fears about pollution, climate change, and the threat to nature. While the movie's premise may seem far-fetched, its underlying message is surprisingly relevant today.

Overall, Day of the Animals is a thrilling and entertaining movie that capitalizes on its talented cast and the audience's fear of nature turning against them. While the movie may not be for everyone due to its graphic depiction of animal attacks, it's an engaging and fun watch for fans of the disaster genre.

Day of the Animals is a 1977 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.