Killdozer

"Killdozer" is a very entertaining TV movie from 1974, telling the story of a construction crew on a remote island (that looks a lot like southern California). The men must fight for their lives against a huge bulldozer controlled by a murderous alien force. The silly premise is made watchable by a good cast, lots and lots of action, an intelligent screenplay, and fine (if TV-style) direction.

A D9 bulldozer strikes a strange-looking rock, whereupon a mysterious alien force (shown as a blue light) is transferred to the 'dozer. The big machine soon has a mind of its own, destroying the construction workers' camp and proceeding on an orgy of killing and destruction. Good acting work by Clint Walker, Carl Betz, and Neville Brand help uplift the proceedings. Watch for a very young (and skinny) Robert Urich, who only survives the first few minutes of the movie before being scorched by alien radiation. The other workers are methodically wiped out until only two are left.

The Killdozer does its homicidal work with much enthusiasm, revving its engine, emitting black diesel fumes, waving its huge blade, frantically moving its control levers, and flashing its lights. The climactic "Killdozer death scene" is pretty good, as Walker lures the violent 'dozer to its death—or at least the death of the alien force.

In summary, I think this film is very good but I have a few other items to discuss. I saw this movie 31 years ago, and I'm still wondering how a 50-ton machine with a roaring diesel engine which belches huge clouds of black smoke could possibly sneak up on and surprise anyone. But the Killdozer manages to do just that, much to the detriment of the workers. Another issue is the one lesson I learned from this movie: If a maniacal bulldozer controlled by an alien force is lurking about—don't get drunk.

I remember seeing this as a kid nearly 40 years ago. Other boys and I were captivated by it, we discussed it at school for a week! Recently I saw it on YouTube and I felt compelled to comment. The story centers around six construction workers on some digging project on "an island 200 miles off the coast of Africa". They hit a strange meteorite which is possessed by an electromagnetic alien lifeform (?) which transfers its energy lifeforce to the D9 bulldozer which struck it. Now possessed, the D9 emits a faint hum as it storms around the island killing off the men one by one.

The story is a decent one for the sci-fi/horror genre. There are a few silly moments, like when one man sits stoically in the jeep as the D9 trundles toward him to flatten him. Why not jump out and run away? Sure he was drunk but even inebriated I think he could have outrun a bulldozer whose top speed is 4 miles an hour.

The special effects are minimal so instead the movie focuses on its story, something which I wish more movies did so these days, rather than relaying on special effects exclusively. it's worth watching if you stumble across it.

I hunted this one for years, based on memories of terror in childhood. To finally see it again, for the first time since original airing, it was a treat. Hadn't realized how much the more recent "Virus" was borrowing from this. Clint Walker, still about 7 axe-handles wide, does his damnedest to complete an important job. It's no "Duel", but I'd take this over "The Car" (hate that crap, can't understand all the affection), "Virus" (like this, but with various "Hardware" steals), "Race With The Devil", and especially "Maximum Overdrive" (notice that they haven't let King direct again). It's simple, somewhat ludicrous, but quite effective little thriller. It's true that the story is immensely simplified from the original, but Theodore Sturgeon did the rewrite himself. Lovely parade of classic character actors, just adds to the fun. Proud to have it in my collection at last.

My favourite film by a mile as a small child. I remember watching this with my sister when I was about 6 and she was 2 and it scared the pants off us!!.

Its a great tale of a group of construction workers on a remote island who accidentally drive a bulldozer into a very strange rock - having very strange effects, giving the bulldozer a killer streak!! - Sound naff?, well maybe - enjoyable and still a little scary? - you bet!! I haven't seen the film for about 10 years and I don't think its on video but I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who likes such better known films as "Duel" and "The Car"

OK. This is a fun film. Caterpillar D9 gets possessed, starts killing workers. But, what the hey, wasn't it great to see Clint Walker, Carl Betz and Neville Brand again? Eerie? Yeah, kinda. Spooky? Not unless you bought into it a lot more than I did. Liked the scene where Betz holds the D niner (glad to hear some construction worker ex-militaris speak here) at bay with a steam(?) shovel. Scary? Not really. But, fun...and it was great to see Carl, Clint and Neville again. BTW, this non-videoed TVdrama became a kind of campus cult classic for a while. Check it out.