Such a frustrating disappointment

One of my all time favorites.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Here we have a so-so entry into the popular "nature strikes back" genre of the 1970s, in which general ineptitude, substandard attack scenes, some unintentional hilarity, sincere but bland acting, and canine aggressors that never come across as *that* scary combine to make a passable B level thriller. TV veteran Burt Brinckerhoff fails to ever generate very much tension, but it's still basically amusing to see the damage that these dogs do. They sure create a fair amount of gore before this is over. There's some very mild titillation: a pre- 'Dallas' Linda Gray gets into the shower, and is attacked, in yet another nod to "Psycho". The music, by Alan Oldfield, has that very 70s feel to it, and isn't always effective.In addition to Ms. Gray, a couple of familiar faces turn up in this tale of ordinary domesticated dogs forming a pack and turning savage in a sleepy college community. Could it have something to do with secret government experiments involving an accelerator? Who knows. What it amounts to is a big problem for people such as beer guzzling biology professor Harlan Thompson (played by David McCallum of 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' fame) and his new associate Michael Fitzgerald (George Wyner of "Spaceballs"). In an obvious nod to "Jaws", they have a tough time convincing their boss of the danger until it's too late.If one really wants to see mans' best friend kick some human ass, the movie "The Pack" from the following year is technically the better effort. But "Dogs" isn't without its delights, such as the aforementioned shower attack scene and the climactic action on the campus when the dogs crash through glass. There are more laughs than thrills to be had here, but that should count for something. McCallum is an underwhelming hero; you're not likely to care whether or not he makes it. And Wyner doesn't fare much better. Also among the cast are Eric Server ('B.J. and the Bear'), Sterling Swanson ('Don't Be Afraid of the Dark'), Russ Grieve (Big Bob Carter in Wes Cravens' "The Hills Have Eyes"), and future producer Lance Hool ("10 to Midnight").When all is said and done, "Dogs" doesn't add up to much, but it's worth it just for that priceless final shot that sets up a sequel that never got made.Five out of 10.

a true story.at 13 & 10, my younger brother and i, who had a large 2 yr old neighborhood Shepperd (turk), went to see this movie and were unaware of the terror this film evoked until coming home from the theater that night. being a neighborhood dog, turk was roaming in the night alley as we walked by.recognizing us, of course, with his reflective eyes, the dog advanced toward us. if you can imagine two boys being chased by their own dog down the street screaming murder, in sheer terror. we were banging on the door for help. the dog thought we were playing and joined in and further excited our fears.over 20 yrs later my brother and i tell that story with fond memories of the era the dog and the movie.having grown up in the horror hay-day of the 70s and having, arguably, seen the best and worst that Hollywood has to offer. psychologically, this film teems with possibilities for a remake. without all that computer generated junk.

What if one day, your cute puppy dog starts taking a run at you and biting your hand or feet? You'd probably think "it's time I get it to its veterinary". But what if a pack of dogs starts assaulting people with wild abandon in a little town in California? DOGS tries to teach us how it could be. After having repeatedly witnessed to all kind of animals attacking humanity between '60s and '70s flicks, here it comes this movie. I pretty like it and it was given to me by chance while I was purchasing a video recorder, about twenty years ago. Very hard to catch I'm afraid, not even on DVD 'till now. From the beginning, I was intrigued by David McCallum and Linda Gray, this one starring as Mrs. Engle before jumping into the Sue Ellen's odyssey on the TV drama DALLAS. And I found interesting the movie was mostly shot closing to the floor at the characters' foot, while they're stroking the pets. Just there, I spotted a reference to a fortunate dog movie series in the '70s: BENJI. But Hitchcock's devices, you know, insinuate all over this era. So what if THE BIRDS over cross the set, taking a little trip from Bodega Bay to Chula Vista, San Diego? Therefore a dogs' parade could become a children and ladies' flight with dogs acting in the way Hitchcock would have directed them and angrily barking and running after innocent, unarmed children and populace. Therefore a man could try to protect his refuge and loves from attacks by covering doors with boards and planks. And differently from the other ones, a dog could resemble the pacific couple of Melania Daniels' caged lovebirds. But what about PSYCHO and its unforgettable scene under the shower? Guess! Anyway, I really appreciate the way the director devised his inspirer sources: he surely set up an original tale with a good location in Southwestern University. Not to mention other influences on it - as SQUIRM on the same year or BUG one year before - this movie really charms due to its scientific and biological explanation: an high energy accelerator near campus maybe drives the dogs crazy. It makes all more realistic than ever, even if political reasons and hidden researches spoil the plot as those in Joe Dante's PIRANHA do. ***Possible SPOILER ahead***Considering also THE STRAWBERRY STATEMENT movie (1970), You could compare its ending to the one in DOGS. Centering the attention on campus, both of the films turn fatefully to a final massacre between young students living there. The canine mass acts as the police does in the other movie, making us believe society must pay an heavy price because of its political and scientific strategies. This last and the scene about the pets' exposition are my favorite ones. 6/10

I and several friends were students at Southwestern Community College and extras in film Dogs. I was pleased to be an extra and found the filming intriguing. We appeared several times on the campus shots. Some of the scenes were shot on my street. I have been unable to find a copy of the video.