International terrorists attempt to kidnap a wealthy couple's child. Their plan comes unstuck, however, when a deadly Black Mamba, sent by mistake instead of a harmless snake, escapes and terrorizes both them and their hostages.
Acting
Kinski and Reed's genuine mutual hatred electrifies every scene.
Practical Effects
Real snakes, real tension—no CGI safety net in '81.
Direction
Piers Haggard wrangles chaos into claustrophobic dread.
Director
Piers Haggard
Klaus Kinski
Jacques Müller (Jacmel)
Oliver Reed
Dave Averconnelly
Nicol Williamson
Cmdr. William Bulloch
Sarah Miles
Dr. Marion Stowe
Sterling Hayden
Howard Anderson
Cornelia Sharpe
Ruth Hopkins
Susan George
Louise Andrews
Michael Gough
David Ball
Mike Gwilym
Det. Constable Dan Spencer
Edward Hardwicke
Lord Dunning
Hugh Lloyd
Cab Driver
Rita Webb
Mrs. Loewenthal
Maurice Colbourne
Sampson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Kinski and Reed's feud was legendary; crew allegedly placed bets on who'd punch whom first.
Made during Britain's IRA anxiety era, the foreign-terrorist-in-London premise hit different in 1981.
GB
