Shocking Dark (also known as Terminator II, Terminator 2, Aliens 2, Aliennators, and Contaminator) is a 1989 Italian science-fiction film written by Claudio Fragasso, produced by Franco Gaudenzi and directed by Bruno Mattei.
Although the film was promoted as a rip-off of James Cameron's The Terminator (1984), it is primarily a rip-off of Cameron's subsequent film Aliens (1986). It was released in some countries as Terminator II, as it had been made two years before Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).
Background
Despite the film's original title and artwork presenting it as a sequel to The Terminator, it is not officially associated with that film. The plot has more in common with Aliens. Two years after Mattei's film came out, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (the official Terminator sequel) was released. Mattei's film was not released in the United States, especially under its original title due to licensing problems.
Cast
Cristopher Ahrens as Samuel Fuller
Haven Tyler as Sara
Geretta Giancarlo Field as Koster
Fausto Lombardi (as Tony Lombardo) as Lieutenant Franzini
Mark Steinborn as Commander Dalton Bond
Dominica Coulson as Samantha
Mark Zielinski as Stephano
Clive Ricke as Drake
Paul Norman Allen as Kowalsky
Cortland Reilly as Caine
Richard Ross as Price
Bruce McFarland as Parson
Al McFarland as Raphelson
Release
Up until 2018, the film had never been released on video in the United States for legal reasons. It was released in countries such as Japan, Brazil, and the film's native country Italy.
Severin Films released the film (under its Shocking Dark title) on Blu-ray on 29 May 2018.
References
External links
Terminator II at Variety Distribution
Terminator (franchise) 1989 films Italian science fiction films 1980s science fiction films Films directed by Bruno Mattei Films scored by Carlo Maria Cordio Films set in Venice 1980s Italian-language films Unofficial sequel films 1990s Italian films 1980s Italian films Films involved in plagiarism controversies