The Story of The Terminator (1984)

[@GregBreden]

I feel there's no need to choose between 1 & 2, they are such a perfect original/sequel combo that they should always be watched together back to back.

[@tylerironside8109]

Heavily agreed!

[@redherronrecords]

The only other 2-hit combo that lethal was Tyson's hook to the stomach/uppercut to the head.

[@tatathebutterfly]

Agreed

[@mochaamlnn]

Totally agree! I can never choose one over the other.

[@xp7575]

​@@mochaamlnn facts, absolute facts

[@stuartgreenwood6428]

Michael Biens performance as Kyle Reese was absolutely critical to this film , his execution of exposition and realistic believable acting was in the same league of Alec Guiness in Star Wars as Obi Wan Kenobi, gave the whole film an emotional resonance that set up many films - it’s the best film of whole lot

[@Facts-Over-Feelings]

FACT CHECKED....IT WAS A BLACK LADY THAT WROTE THE TERMINATOR.. IT WAS STOLEN..

[@jkephart4624]

Yep. Couldn't agree more. He's Super underrated at this point in time. Like history forgot him sadly

[@jkephart4624]

Same as In tombstone. He's so underrated . Kilmer, Russell, and Boothe get all the credit

[@hansolo631]

Yea he actually does such a good job in everything I've seen him in - IDK why he fell out of favor with Hollywood, but his legacy is secure as the male lead in some of the greatest movies of the last century.

[@tzeege]

@@hansolo631 Alcoholism and health problems.

[@GOINFINITI]

This is BY FAR the best Terminator documentary. Especially, because it gave us a true behind the scene look, casting, re-casting and ideas. Bravo!

[@topfitnessssss]

Absolutely. A real Masterpiece. Magical. 🤍

[@neil_mch]

@@topfitnessssss it truly is, lust like Predator, Alien, and The Thing.

[@Dan-di9jd]

It's from the DVD set.

[@joebloe1401]

I like Ramen noodles

[@debandmike3380]

gave us a true behind-the-scenes look at a bunch of other movies you mean. Utterly annoying documentary.

[@Eva01-jy2qu7pu9r]

Almost 40 years later, still one of the best movies ever made. I wish I could turn back the clock to see this for the first time again

[@hectorlopez1069]

Especially in the movie theaters in the 80s.

[@ultimog3739]

way ahead of its time.

[@PaulyinParis619]

I was on a business trip with my dad…went to see it with zero expectations. Had no idea it even existed. Imagine the shock. Same happened with The Matrix. Had no idea it existed. Shocked.

[@elvenkind6072]

Just smoke some pot, and it'll be like you see it with 3D-glasses 😀

[@mistermatix8241]

I'd have loved to see T1 on the cinema, I can only DREAM of the audience response at the Factory Chase sequence on the big screen first time round!

[@paulkirby2761]

The unsung hero in T1 and T2 is Brad Fiedel the soundtrack composer. He really captured the theme beautifully with his mix of artificial cyborg like creations mixed with imposing danger and that relentless unstoppable hunter killer sort of feeling whenever a T800 or T1000 entered a scene or a chase along with the theme music etc.

[@QEsposito510]

Hell yeah. Film scores are often ignored even though their score outlasts other aspects like dialect or cinematography. I don’t even remember the “Last of the Mohicans” plot, but that damn soundtrack will always play in my head.

[@crunchjohn261]

Fantastic music,played a big part in the movie

[@Dr.Meth666]

I tripped acid for the first time( and last) and listened to the T1 soundtrack and had one of the worst experiences of my life hahahahah thanks terminator !!!!

[@drenorris6980]

I still listen to it to this day...

[@randyschwaggins]

Wonder how he went from music composition to goalkeeping for Sours...🤔

[@tyrannozilla]

Not only is this my favorite of the Terminator series, it's my favorite of all of Cameron's films.

[@DontStopCornPop]

Same, and I'd go as far as to say it's in the top ten (maybe top five) greatest movies of all time. I always put this movie and T2 together because I think it works best as one long narrative. The other movies are decent and are good for fleshing out the world, but the first two are really all that matters in my mind.

[@ClintonT.Biddle]

Aliens is also awesome better than the 1st

[@edwardlee9052]

well you can see why in this video Cameron put his heart and soul intot his movie as well as blood sweat tears and even a few laws being broken this is true art

[@salvitoripopadillo4539]

"The Terminator" is The Pinnacle of Sci-fi films! No comedy relief. No extra non essential characters and just serious, cold, dark and cruel potential reality with a small hope of victory. Brilliant video of one of the most brilliant film makers of all time! Thank you! Two thumbs up 👍👍!

[@pmtoner9852]

Terminator saying f you asshole is low key hilarious

[@guntertorfs6486]

Tell that to those two hacks Siskel and Ebert. They were a joke.

[@RAGSTAluvsDA90z]

Alien was good toi

[@salvitoripopadillo4539]

@@guntertorfs6486 😂"Siskel and Ebert!" Yes that was their saying wasn't it. Absolute Muppets agreed!

[@johnbrooks9523]

@@salvitoripopadillo4539 I'm with you! The original Terminator was a whole new ball game in 1984. Most of us who saw it for the first time when it was new, were rivetted. Nothing like it had come before it & the story line was bombshell disturbing! It may look a little clunky now, since technology has marched on, but back in '84 Terminator was supremely effective. The only other concept to relentlessly seek to destroy humanity in such a determined way is based in Israel.

[@CajunReaper95]

"It Can't Be Bargained With. It Can't Be Reasoned With... And It Absolutely Will Not Stop, Ever... Until You Are Dead!"…that line sent a chill down my spine!

[@markwilson5967]

Yeah It's somewhat a horror movie in disguise.

[@Dan-di9jd]

Sounds like they're talking about you at the taco bell drive thru and finding out they're out of burritos.

[@CajunReaper95]

@@Dan-di9jd funny because I don’t even really eat Taco Bell I’m also less than 130lbs more around 122 and at 5’5 that’s well within the range for my height.

[@mohammedzulk8485]

Many people say that about their neighbour.

[@unclecreepy4324]

You forgot it doesn't feel pity or remorse.

[@sunilnijran1515]

One thing I have to say is that this has got to be one of the best Terminator documentaries I've ever seen!!👍🙂

[@BoomerElite4u]

Something I think a younger audience over-looks is the fact that we hadn't really ever seen people who looked like Arnold. At least not in a main stream audience. He seemed other worldly as a child because of his build. It was completely believable that this is what a super human being would look like. Now a days a huge muscular physique is more common.

[@katskillz]

true, except for us 10 year olds who had older brothers that were aspiring body builders, that means we had already watched Pumping Iron a couple of years earlier on home video along with our brothers ; ) So I was already used to the alien build, but it was great fun to see it put to use in this high intensity thriller. I was only 9 or 10 so I wasn't sure whether Arnold was being allowed to really kill people in those scenes with his bare hands lol. I hadn't yet wrapped my head around the whole special effects gore angle.

[@Eye_Exist]

very good point.

[@amityislandchum]

Yup, this was back when we collectively agreed that Hollywood couldn't ask normal actors to take insane amounts of steroids for roles, so they had to find existing juiceheads and try to teach them to act. I think it's fine that mainstream actors are all bulking up for superhero roles now, but it creeps me out how many of the male leads on teen shows are doing the same. I know the actors are in their 20s, but it's still such a weird body image to push on 16-year-olds.

[@meinLiebsterFeind]

Conan the Barbarian came out two years prior..

[@Iconhulk]

Lou Frerrigno is only one I can come with..

[@jimminyxmas]

The main Terminator theme has become as iconic as it was perfect for the film, inspiring both imagination and nostalgia.

[@hectorlopez1069]

Certainly

[@scodoguy5581]

i have it on my phone music library

[@redriderbbgun8018]

This makes a lot of sense now.... When I was a kid I remember there were never any ads on tv for this movie, but I would see the movie ad in the newspaper. Week after week Terminator was playing in the local theaters, I was thinking "jeeze, this must be a good movie...but how come there are no commercials on tv for it?"

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

Movies like this are what made me fall in love with practical effects. I saw a bunch of props at an exhibit a few years ago, and the detail in everything is really incredible.

[@jeremythomas5568]

Practical effects are sooo much more creative and eye grabbing than cgi.. I appreciate it soo much more.

[@ZeroOmega-vg8nq]

@@jeremythomas5568 practical and cgi can coexist. Have the practical there for physical presence then clean up with cgi to make the practical pop just alil more.

[@cubertmiso]

GCI is nearly free vs. practical effects. So they use it always too much. Thankfully mostly used in superhero movies so no harm done. Easy to skip something without any heart and just money grab from the kids parents.

[@BananaPhoPhilly]

@@ZeroOmega-vg8nq This is the way.

[@jbear83]

There are so many videos about this movie, but no one seems to want to give the movie the credit it deserves for being one of the greatest love stories ever put to film. The connection that Kyle and Sarah shared across time is so well written and portrayed. The simple fact that Kyle often wondered what Sarah was thinking when the picture was taken, and that Sarah was literally thinking of him at that moment is beyond beautiful. In complete honesty this scene tears up my eyes every time.

[@amityislandchum]

I've always considered this film primarily a love story. And while I definitely loved that love story when I was younger (mainly because Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn are both hot AF), I find it more creepy as I've gotten older. Kyle Reese's monologue about always loving Sarah comes off as weirdly serial killer-esque. I think it's because Michael Biehn delivers it with this bizarre anger and blame towards Sarah. It sort of reminds me of every angry incel rant I've ever read or heard. 😂

[@joeditski4589]

I loved that detail also.

[@mikerosoft1009]

I think Incel behaviour is also half how it's recieved. If a girl is into the guy then his behavior is romantic or she's blinded by love. Or she's not into. Him and then he's a total creep. In either scenario he's the same and she just feels different lol

[@salamander337]

@@amityislandchum Your statement is understandable in todays time but in Kyle Reeves dystopian apocalypse is a very grim future and he was staring at the only picture of a time when the world was peaceful. Plus Sarah Conner was young and very pretty. The photo given to him by non other than his son John Connor who is his much older commanding officer, for one purpose, to go back in time and find her to protect her. It is the only thing he must do. As human, when you are attach to something for very long as Kyle Reeve had with a picture of Sarah Connor, you are going to be fond of it. In this case he fell in love with her. John Connor knew what he was doing. 😉

[@FART-REPELLENT]

It doesn't come close to being one of the best love stories put into film. The movie that does is the one titled 'Star Man' which was released in cinemas in the same year as Terminator; it succeeds as a romance genre and Sci-Fi genre.

[@SolvingTheMoneyProblem]

A timeless masterpiece.

[@liberate72000]

Great retrospective. I have to agree that the first Terminator was the best of the bunch. Darker grittier , faster paced and with a great bitter sweet ending, the future scenes were the best in the entire franchise despite its small budget , money can’t overcome lack of direction and passion.

[@adrianokury]

Watching this movie in theaters in my early 20s was a life changing experience. The 1980s were a very special era with blade runner, synthpop, rampant technology advance.

[@randyschwaggins]

You were high weren't you?

[@adrianokury]

@@randyschwaggins hahahaha -- I don't remember well -- the 80s are a big blur for me...

[@rockettp9958]

who wasnt in the 80s@@randyschwaggins

[@andchat6241]

I was in shopping last week & the bill (£)19.84 ... I said to the young lady " I remember it ...unfortunately ", She replied "best year for music "..."best year for films..." I couldn't think of much to say even after being promoted by " Ghostbusters" .... Without cheating I've tried recalling 'highlights of 1984' ( not the film ' 1984 ' ) ...& there is not a lot I want to revisit .

[@cammobus]

In was in high school when this released, out on a random Tuesday night with my gf, we saw this movie, I was so blown away I was in school the next day talking the film up to my friends, and back on Friday night to watch the movie again

[@thevarietygamer1848]

Like Michael biehn stated in interviews, it was up to his character to explain the situation and he had to do so in a convincing and believable way because the plot itself was a bit silly but that just shows Michael biehns performance as an actor. He did just what was needed, telling the terminators motive and his own in a convincing way. I can’t say 100% if any other actor could’ve been as great as biehn for the role. He really helped sell the movie/plot

[@rodneyadderton1077]

I've always viewed 'The Terminator' as a horror movie. The dark forboding future, no matter what you do, you are screwed type sub theme. That was scary to nine year old me in 1984. Throw in Chernobyl and the threat of nuclear war on the evening news, the real life problems of the day, only intensified that scariness. Over time, it became one of the greatest films ever made. And it still gives me chills. Good job on this documentary.

[@tommym321]

When I was a kid I used to go to video rental stores. The Terminator was ALWAYS located in the “Horror” section.

[@rodneyadderton1077]

@@tommym321 right on

[@GregBreden]

Totally agree. When people ask me what's the best horror film it's hard for me to select a straight horror film that has the impact of other genre films with horror elements. People might argue for the Exorcist or Halloween, personally I'd pick The Omen over both of those. But within other genres I'd class these examples as horror films to a large degree and say they're great ones: Terminator, Jaws, Alien, The Thing, Silence of The lambs. The first 4 I mentioned all have the kill 'em off one by one element of slasher movies.

[@lcfflc3887]

@@tommym321 that's very odd.

[@matthewjohnson2495]

I was nine also at the time and every time the Terminator was shown in the movie when he was nothing but metal after the car crash seen it gave me the same scare as I got when watching the Incredible Hulk when he changed from Bruce Banner

[@nickadams2451]

I think what makes the first one so powerful over the second film is the love story. The dialog where Sarah asks Kyle what his life was like is really where you even as a male viewer say to yourself this guy has been thru hell and really deserves to be shown love and compassion since he never knew what that was or experienced that. The scene just before Sarah and Kyle make love I think really captured that. I think that’s what makes so many say the first film will always be the best because of the story and it’s characters rather than relying on so many action sequences.

[@stanlee-eq7lu]

Back in the 1950s, sci-fi and horror movies were all the rage with teen audiences. If you were able to send The Terminator movie back in time to that decade, I could guarantee the audiences would shit their pants watching it and having nightmares. I'd love it.

[@Vespyr_]

Why I wish they left that deleted dream sequence between Sarah and Kyle in the sequel.

[@jamesgornall5731]

​@@Vespyr_its in the directors cut though.

[@MrMctuck]

KZbin: 'How many ads do you want in your video? Layton Eversaul: 'Yes'

[@nextgen8888]

Imagine seeing this movie in 1984 without seeing any trailer, and having no context of what you were about to experience.

[@MournfulMystic]

I did.. and so loved it! I was 13 & I had no idea. Was amazing at that time.

[@amityislandchum]

This franchise is why I still avoid trailers like the plague. I went into this completely blind (owing to not being alive when it was released, lol) and it blew my mind. Saw the sequel after seeing all the trailers, and while it's obviously an *incredible* film (my fave of the franchise), I couldn't stop thinking how much better it would have been if the trailers didn't spoil the reveal that Arnold was now the good guy.

[@bazzaah]

I watched on VHS in 1987 with no idea of what I was going to watch. Blown away. Think I watched it a couple of more times before I took the tape back.

[@Caleb983]

That was my experience seeing it on TV as a kid in the 90s. For some reason, maybe due to the cultural impact of the sequel, I thought the Terminator would be a good guy

[@_skyyskater]

man that would have been an insane experience in the theaters... too bad i wasn't born yet

[@TheBeird]

Always nice to see you doing stuff. As a kid, T2 was my favourite but age has made me appreciate the first movie more. It's leaner, grittier, and knowing all the spinal fluid sweated to get it done on it's low budget makes me appreciate it all the more.

[@CephlonMayngrum]

It's an overall better film than the sequel

[@ReanimatorsMutilations]

Same I prefered 2 as a kid but I can't remember last time I watched it and watch 1 a few times a year

[@iliapopovich]

The second is an action movie, the first one was a proper hit.

[@chazgirl6186]

Same

[@adamkhabazian3249]

that's the trick. you like it because of T2. overlooking all its silly cheap production

[@derickdavis7537]

My mom was against me watching this as a kid, but my step father was like hell no you gotta see this movie. Thank you Chuck! The scene of The Terminator walking out of the flames from the tanker truck explosion scared the shit out of me as a kid!!! I loved it!!!

[@davidlean1060]

The movie has all sorts of little touches that make it special too. My favorite is when the psychologist interviewing Kyle is recounting to the cops Kyle's story about the future run by machines. The psychologist is mocking Kyle for this...but at that moment his own little machine, his pager, goes off and he attends to it straight away! He's already being ruled, in a sense, by machines, but he doesn't even realise!

[@katskillz]

Good catch. Cameron seems like a contradiction in how he acknowledges all that we might fear about our own technological creations, whether they enslave us by violence or by seduction. But he also enthusiastically adapts and promotes any upcoming tech for his work and to save the planet or whatever. The cultural technocrats are schizophrenic in that sense.

[@amityislandchum]

​@@katskillz Cameron is so obsessed with technology, he would absolutely get on his knees and blow the first Terminator he ever encountered.

[@ammagnolia]

Never caught that. Nice

[@D-Fens_1632]

I don't know if there was any intentional subtext going on there but it's easy to forget what a big deal a pager was in 1984. In the early 90s one of the first big moments on the first season of The Real World was the small town girl joking about the black chick's beeper going off and asking if she sold drugs. I got one in 94 and got the same question a few times, including from cops. Only doctors and dealers had them in the 80s. I don't think dealers even had them in 84. By the late 90s children had them. They came in handy a lot despite being so primitive, but were indeed one small step for man toward the inevitable giant leap for matrix mankind.

[@chazgirl6186]

Ha I bet we are all watching this on a phone! Then we will sit watching more nonsense for the next 5 hours!

[@mikethinks]

My GF at the time and I went and saw it six nights in a row at the local theater while we were in college in 84. So in addition to be responsible for around 0.00035% of the opening weeks gross take...it also is one of the movies that made the biggest impression on my young adult self.

[@patrickw9706]

You deserve a medal.

[@KlausBahnhof]

Lucky! It would have been an awesome date movie with the right kind of girl.

[@patrickw9706]

What did you say after every movie? "I'll be back!" ?

[@mikethinks]

@@KlausBahnhof lets just say she was raised in a strict Catholic home, and was away from home for the first time in her freshman year in college. Life was good.

[@BethJehovah]

I've never seen a movie 6 times. I max out at 4.

[@johnpick8336]

One of the best movies of our Tech Noir era. Thanks for posting.

[@bphilipb]

This is fantastic. This movie "got" me when it came out. I was in high school and by the end of the film, I was literally speechless. Because of the many things you breakdown here, how it was shot, the score, the sort of unknown actors, the effects used in the film, and everything in between. You knew you were watching something special. Because of the groundbreaking film that it was for the time, I still prefer this movie over Terminator 2, which was excellent in its own right. Thank you for this amazing breakdown of one of my favorite sci-fi/action movies.

[@philiphudgens4726]

T2 is superior in all respects but I agree, this is my favourite of the franchise. I saw it first at 13 or 14. That "There's a storm coming" / "I know" scene really stayed with me. Although we were both at that incredibly impressionable age....which often overrides logic & other intellectual considerations. Btw, I simply can't imagine OJ playing an emotionless homicidal maniac ruthlessly hunting down a specified target...

[@derekk2708]

@@philiphudgens4726 I think 'The Storm' is here! But it's Software based .. not Hardware (as predicted in the movie!) ; )

[@amityislandchum]

I miss the days when no-name actors were given lead roles. Feels like the past 10+ years has just been the same 15 Marvel actors being cast in EVERYTHING.

[@1990758]

Same

[@bentramer682]

Some people call him an asshole and I like to take the piss a little because of the fact that Avatar became a series, but I'll always understand his ballsy attitude he basically fought for himself against Hollywood, and won. I'll say he deserves it.

[@claytonbouldin9381]

He has a vision of what he wants on the screen and gets it done by hook, or crook. It shows in the quality of his movies too.

[@brandonkrolvoiceovers1694]

Superb work on this documentary. T1 is a masterpiece as we all know. Your deep-dive about this film deserves commendation. Well done Layton. 🎉

[@Drew791]

I can’t believe you don’t have more subs and views for how long and well researched your videos are. Really hoping you grace us with a “T2” documentary in the future!

[@LaytonEversaul]

It's inevitable ...

[@Drew791]

@@LaytonEversaul haha nice! 🎉

[@jonmake9124]

@@LaytonEversaul Great, awesome videos man, I think they should have just stopped after Terminator 2, the rest of the movies were mixed to say the lease.

[@colinluckens9591]

HE'LL BE BACK with "T2"😜....

[@michaelb.42112]

Did James Cameron in 1984 ever think his movie would be one of the most relevant, prophetic movies ever made ? I don't know, so I will listen now. Just found this. I was in 9th grade when it came out and LOVED it. Still do. Stan Winston is a legend.

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

I don't know if you watched the interview where he stated that with how the world is now he would never have made it.

[@markhammar3977]

Same here.

[@Garian9]

You brought up so many things I had no idea about The Terminator that I thought I knew it so well.

[@vikker8274]

Shout out to my friend Lisa, whom I met in the early nineties. Looked exactly like a young Linda Hamilton, even the hair. So glad I was a teen in the 80’s. Got to see the best of the best in the theater, including this gem

[@edvaira6891]

Holy crap! Had NO idea this was even coming! VERY PLEASANT SURPRISE! It’s astonishing how the man’s career started under such hardscrabble circumstances…and that, while a solid hit (although only $36 million!), even after it came out, a Lot of folks STILL underestimated just HOW influential this movie (and Cameron himself) would be!!

[@jimbowlan5804]

78 million off of a 6 million dollar budget

[@robd1329]

Ill Be Bachhhh

[@amityislandchum]

Sure, but it cannot be understated what an abusive asshole James Cameron is. Dude has literally almost killed dozens of actors and crew members, and he is notoriously abusive to women... Which is extra ironic considering HE OWES HIS ENTIRE CAREER TO A WOMAN.

[@primeobjective5469]

They used to play the movie on Halloween when I was around 9 y/o in 1991 -- I was stuck between wanting to go trick-or-treating or watching this horror movie at home.

[@internziko]

I was born in 81 and watched T1 for the 1st time in 86 on VHS and it's my 1st film memory. I remember being glued to the screen. One of the greatest movies of all time

[@hectorlopez1069]

Miss 80s life, the movies, the VHS stuff and many more

[@Defender78]

12:18 i had no idea Arnold was 36-37 by the time he was selected, wow he got a late start in his movie career, but after T1, his career took off instantly: 1985 Commando, 1986 Predator, 1987 The Running Man...

[@internziko]

@@hectorlopez1069 same bro. Such a simple time

[@internziko]

@@Defender78 Arnold was and is the greatest movies star of all time imo.

[@mangos2888]

Such 80's parenting to have a 5 year old watch a violent r-rated movie 😂😂😂

[@Hammern28]

I think the reason why I love Terminator 1 more than 2 and the others, is simply cause it is frightening all the way. It has action, but a more realistic action that is not over the top. T2 is a masterpiece, but T1... man, it gives me the chills every time. Just imagine it, you have this huge man, whom is not a man, but a machine, covered in flesh, coming after you. And you shoot him, you try to blow him up, everything you can think of... but he still comes after you, not stopping, ever... until you are... dead! There is just something so terrifying about that, very few other movies can capture as well as T1.

[@stevesstuff1450]

Exacrtly! 👍 I loved T2, but the moment when a Terminator turns to a child and says "Now I understand why you cry" (or words to that effect) just ruined it for me... A Terminator is an unstoppable killing machine, not one to dispense tissues every time a kid cries.... 😞 Arnie ruled in Terminator 1. It was dark, it was violent, it was scary, and had you on the edge of your seat the whole way, and he exuded power. It was just a tense rollercoaster of unhinged power and brutality, a light and tense relationship, and then more brutal power; as a movie, it was as unstoppable as the Terminator itself! 😉

[@AvanaVana]

It really is less of a narrative and more of a fever dream, exactly as it was conceived. Dreams rarely have discernible narrative structure when recalled after the fact-they are a window into the subconscious, where past/present/future all exist at once. IMO The Terminator represents 1984 America’s (and beyond) subconscious fear of the cold, unrelenting progress of technology and its impact on their future. The Cold War/nuclear annihilation. The first electric cerebrations of real artificial intelligence. Replacement of labor by machine. Film as a medium can be used to tell a story in a traditional way, but I think in The Terminator it is used not only as a medium/vehicle for the script, but also in that way that only film can be used, to reflect our subconscious back to us as the pure unadulterated image, crystalline polychrome emotion. What the film leaves us with is like the recall of a nightmare, a raw moving image divorced from linear time, of palpable fear, the fear of unimpeded technological progress, of the brutal, cold, relentless onslaught of time itself, of the limits and vulnerability of our humanity, and mankind’s drive to exterminate itself as a species through its own cold, unbridled ambition.

[@-danR]

T2 has scope. T1 has focus; and it will not stop until you are _dead._

[@treenferno1768]

That's exactly why I love it. T1 is a horror movie, and an effective one at that.

[@hectorlopez1069]

​@@stevesstuff1450because he's a good terminator this time.

[@julialongstreth5890]

Just watched it yesterday for, literally, probably the 100th time. It is absolutely my favorite movie of all time.

[@gooner72]

The original and best Terminator film and remains one of the finest films ever made. Arnie was absolutely perfect for the role, nobody else could've played him as well as the Austrian, and the firey scene where he bows out in the film and the purely robot Terminator takes over was absolutely phenomenal....... including the limp that he picked up earlier in the film. I still go back to it now and again, almost 40 years later........ in fact, I'm off to watch it now!!!

[@xxr3c0nxusaxx]

The Tech Noir scene was really brought to life with the rock score. Tahnee Cain and the Tryanglz, I wish we could get a re release of a soundtrack with those songs on it.

[@tadpolegaming4510]

The game Terminator Resistance had a full-length, high quality version of the track in its files, so it's out there now

[@DJTomOke]

agree, there's something unbelievably chilling about that song when it dissolves into reverb and Fiedel's score takes over

[@ThemildmanneredgamerBlogspot]

the songs are on this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fomulZypZbuboM0

[@kevinwilkins3248]

This is still the best movie of the series. Not as "grand" or mainstream as T2, but definitely darker and more gritty than all the bigger budgeted sequels.

[@dankeplace]

They never needed to make any sequels, just like Blade Runner and The Thing. The reason these movies worked so well was that the left you with unanswered questions. That was the whole point of these films, and making sequels were unwarranted. Aliens works, but it could have been a Universe on itself. Not many sequels better the OGs, Star Trek 2 works, Superman 2 (but that was filmed at the same time) a few others, but all these sequels and they end up ruining a simple original film.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

It's so hard to convince my 12 year old self that is true but 44 year old me cannot deny it. There's a ton of cool shit in 2 that wouldn't exist if 1 wasn't way the fuck ahead of its time.

[@flynncaldow7927]

I have a feeling that the wait will be worth it, so I'm diving in immediately. Thanks dude! You're easily one of my favourite KZbinrs!

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thanks for the support!

[@awokennightmare4075]

One of my favorite films! I still remember how to play Burnin' In The Third Degree on guitar. That song rocks!

[@nopenallnull]

Nobody but Arnold and Linda could play those roles. Especially Linda in T2. My all time fav!

[@williamjohnson5478]

Totally defined my childhood, it should never be remade. It’s a total masterpiece. Head and shoulders above more modern films going mental with daft CGI they totally nailed it!!

[@mikedrop4421]

I always enjoy hearing the stories about casting movies like this. When trying to imagen the part of Kyle Reese being played by Christopher Reeves or Mel Gibson is just wild when the casting seems so perfect as it was.

[@SFNDMK]

Ngl, Reeves would have been amazing as Kyle Reese imo

[@scodoguy5581]

less known actors make the story more credible .

[@seanturner6708]

This was my first movie i brought on DVD, still have it. Classic

[@joe3019772008]

gave this thumbs up, brother. because who doesn't love terminator. this movie has always been my personal favorite out of all the movies.

[@aussiedrumnerd]

This was great. Even after watching so many documentaries and archival footage on T1 There still was a lot of facts I didn’t know. I can see a lot of hard work went into this. Thank you.

[@redriver6541]

Red Dawn, Terminator, and First Blood are three movies that define the 80s. Actual time travel movies for those of us that grew up on them.

[@AndrewTateTopG2025]

Red dawn? Is that the one advertised on the terminator VHS with Patrick swayze and Jennifer Jason Leigh? I always thought it was called steal dawn

[@skandababy]

define... that's a stretch, but they are great films. As for defining... Terminator, that one definitely. First Blood, definitely not... but Rambo 2 or 3, absolutely. Red Dawn was all but forgotten within a year of its release for its outright cringy Cold War propaganda. However, many of the actors in Red Dawn went on to star in some 80's defining Brat Pack movies. Not sure which 3 I'd pick... maybe Rocky 3, Die Hard, Mad Max 2 or 3. No my kind of films tho'. My 3 favorites are probably Breakfast Club, Lost Boys & Terminator. God I miss the 80's.

[@yumallah]

Red Dawn is the shittiest movie ever.

[@skandababy]

@@yumallah LOL, ya, 100% propaganda misinformation... seemingly written and directed by monkeys.

[@rleague685]

Red Dawn was utter tripe.

[@berribeans6593]

This video was insanely well made! I honestly just expected you going through all of what happens in the movie with small anecdotes here or there, but what i watched was so amazing all of your past work immediately went on my watch later list! Keep up the amazing work!

[@5kMagic]

I'm 42. I still remember when Dad brang this home on VHS rental. It was the late 80s and I'd never heard of it or seen it in the video store before. Well, it blew me away! It blew all of us away! What a memorable experience. We watched it several times and rented it again. There's nothing like it.

[@gerardusch]

I'm 43 and from Belgium. To me, Terminator 1, Aliens, Predator 1 and Conan The Barbarian are among the top-10 movies of all times. And I've seen more than 1500 films in my lifetime !

[@randyschwaggins]

'Brang'...wow that's a whole new level of wrong...😂

[@colinluckens9591]

​@@randyschwagginsIt's funny though!😅😅😅😅

[@skandababy]

brang... LOL

[@PackanackLodge]

This is truly the most outstanding documentary on the making of THE TERMINATOR out there. As in all of Layton Eversaul’s film documentaries, it’s well researched, comprehensive and extremely entertaining.

[@robertblackmore703]

This is an absolute gem and a classic. I’ve never understood the fanfare over the sequel which felt kitschy and contained forced, cringe inducing catch lines like “Hasta la vista… baby.” The dialogue in general lacked the punch of the original, while the friendly terminator dynamic felt uninspired. Not terrible for a sequel but to claim it outshines the original is crazy to me.

[@banksuvladimir]

Agreed. Not only that, the first movie is a somewhat serious horror movie, while the second is more of an action movie.

[@PaulLoh]

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It came out when I was 9, but my parents didn't bring me to see it in theaters. I first saw it when it came out on home video at a sleepover with friends. We watched it four times that night! It is my favorite of the franchise. My film career has included a movie in which I acted with Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, the wife of Michael. Subsequently, my wife and I have becomes friends of the family. Both of our families live in Arizona, and it's great to hang out every once in a while.

[@hectorlopez1069]

Michael biehn definitely is one of the greatest good guys ever in movie history.

[@tosspot1305]

Yer back then we got to see all the good stuff really young.. Like Terminator, Robocop, Rambo, Rocky etc. It's was always talking points on playgrounds. Even the games were aimed at kids. Kids nowadays are too sheltered.

[@JMoney-ne3to]

Please tell Michael he was absolutely perfect in his role. I cannot imagine any of the other considered actors being able to pull off a really likable, humble, selfless, uncertain but determined, personality. You know, human. "Can you beat it?" "I don't know....with these weapons? I don't know..." Gave me chills F*cking gold.

[@PaulLoh]

@@JMoney-ne3to I sure will. They're out of the country at the moment for some comic con, but I'll let them know. I'm sure they'll appreciate hearing it.

[@cubertmiso]

hetero but love Michael Biehn and Richard Feynman so much!

[@darthcheeseburger]

This is a phenomenal documentary. I thought I knew everything about one of my favorite films but was sorely incorrect. Thanks for making this!

[@BigBri550]

27:35 When _Terminator_ was first released, I was taken aback by the futuristic cyberwar scenes. They were far more graphic and effects-oriented that I was expecting. I had anticipated that _Terminator_ was going to be nothing more than a cheap scifi thriller, and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role didn't exactly whet my optimism for a quality cinematic experience. It was a pleasant surprise for me to say the least.

[@anthonyanderson77]

The classic scene at the club on Pico Boulevard (never been to LA, but when i finally go, I'll visit that street just to salute this movie) is simply astounding. I am in awe at all the surprises in the scene no matter how many times I've watched.

[@richardcollier1912]

I think they chose PICO and OLYMPIC because of the hard K sounds in the names. The actor really leaned into them.

[@omartistry]

I love when artists of various crafts make masterpieces. Not bound by corporate obstacles. Just drive and time crunches.

[@Journey-of-1000-Miles]

I was 14 years old, when I saw this movie in the theater. It blew my mind! I felt that it set a new standard, for watt a blockbuster is to be!

[@markhammar3977]

I was twelve, cool eh.

[@SteveMayCAFC]

Fantastic job on this! Still my favourite movie all these years later.

[@horsepower523]

So James Cameron really rose from the ashes like the Terminator himself after the disaster that was "Piranha" and went on to become one of the most legendary movie directors of all time. Very impressive. And if he really did have that fever dream about Terminator then that's even more impressive.

[@M1XEDBAG]

I grew up loving T2 because of the action and found the first one boring, but over time I have grown to LOVE the first one more than T2. It's so good.

[@trumpsextratesticle8590]

It was a slow, methodical pace, but always moving towards its end goal (climax of the movie), Just like the Terminator itself. The parallels of how the movie was shot in the slow build-up, just like the Terminator hunting Sara is what makes this movie Sci-fy Horror (what James wanted to shoot the movie as). You have to love it for what it is.

[@noahdyedotcom]

100% agree. The original is way more brutal and less corny.

[@geoffhoutman1557]

Yep, just like Alien, first ones the best

[@jonathanhockey9943]

Had that same experience with Alien and Aliens also recently myself when rewatching

[@amityislandchum]

​@@ericschwan7353 "Especially the script"? My man, have you actually listened to the dialogue in THIS movie?! James Cameron's dialogue is just barely a step above George Lucas'. 😂 To be clear, I love BOTH films, but as I've gotten older, I've found myself cringing more and more at the love story in this one. Kyle Reese's monologue where he confesses that he kept a picture of Sarah and has "always loved her" literally sounds like a serial killer.

[@saysthemanbehindthemask]

It's so nice to see that a lot of people love this film as much as I do... I always felt I was in minority since T2 is generally considered the best in the franchise! Thank you for making this video thanks to everyone who appreciates T1 as much as I do! Brings a tear to my eye damn it!

[@bb-gc2tx]

T2 had more hype surronding its release but T1 is the better film

[@BigtimeJuicer]

I'm with you... T2 was a great sequel. But the original is a better and more iconic movie IMHO.

[@charlie.ridgway86]

I think there are two different types of films, the first is a more gritty, raw movie, whereas the second one is more polished and "blockbuster" in my opinion.

[@saysthemanbehindthemask]

@@charlie.ridgway86 it is that! But how many sequels outperform the original? It's a bit more common nowadays but in general sequel being better than original is an exception. The only other film that comes to mind is Aliens which was a blockbuster but I still prefer the original Alien. Alien franchise is probably the closest analogy to the Terminator franchise. But I get your point

[@bpdmf2798]

T2 is the better action movie, T1 is the better horror movie, or should I say tech noir movie.

[@MISTER__OWL]

I really miss the passion put into these older movies. I grew up on it and the new stuff just isn't the same.

[@symmetry08]

What I noticed is that I and people that re-watched it again, never get tired of it. May be due to it's being seen as pure action or for it being perfectly fused analog-like straight forward - no nonsense - pure perfectly made 80's movie. Yes, it's full of raw action, but perfectly suited, still, to this day best untiring immersive art cinematography.

[@StevenAbney]

Absolutely love your Story Of’s, Layton, and you knocked this one out of the park. Thank you!

[@retroruben2672]

I'm amazed by the research and quality put into this video. I often think that The Terminator isn't talked about very often and I am eternally grateful for your work in sharing the production and story behind the creation to the film that singlehandedly saved James Cameron's career. Thank you so much for making this video

[@krishanuA]

Eternally grateful guy here too! Respect for the channel owner.

[@VIRGOLEGACY]

Definitely one of the best retrospectives of the original Terminator out here and thanks for clearing up the t-101/t-800 confusion lol 💯

[@amityislandchum]

Slight correction on that point, though: it's never referred to as the T-101. Kyle Reese calls it "Cyberdyne Systems Model 101" in this movie, which is reflected in Arnold's sunglasses on the movie poster saying "CSM-101." The T-series naming convention was first introduced in T2.

[@bobcharlotte8724]

Well done Sir! Great work! What a wonderful doco. The Terminator is my favorite Terminator film, since there's only two to choose from lol. I prefer the gritty and dark original that has a pace that never lets up. While T2 is epic and has more heart, it also has a very slow middle portion. So I prefer this masterpiece.

[@Alphahydro]

The Terminator is my best entry of the series and one of my all-time best scifi movies. The overall darkness heightens the dramatic aspect.

[@paullangton-rogers2390]

Cameron's experience was almost like a gift from God that saved him. A futuristic conceptual nightmarish dream that inspired him to write the Terminator, at a time when his career and health had hit rock bottom and many would have quit film directing, or worse. Instead, he picked himself up and takes on an even more ambitious project which says a lot about him. Imagine if he hadn't done anything with that dream and idea, none of the Terminator franchise would exist and he'd probably be an unknown director.

[@danielhathaway43]

Or he "borrowed" the sci-fi idea from another great writer Harlan Ellison... Look it up.

[@dankeplace]

@@danielhathaway43 exactly this, he plagiarized Harlan's work then had to credit him on the film.

[@haroldcjennettiii]

I saw T2 in theatres and never saw the trailer, so as I watched, I assumed both terminators were bad guys until Schwarzenegger said "Get down" and shot T2000. My jaw dropped. It's made me avoid trailers and spoilers to this day because of the experience I got. My wife had a similar experience having no idea Han Solo was going to be in Force Awakens.

[@NorthernThaiGardenGuy]

Hard to believe that thing is nearly 40 years old, but as they say - time flies.

[@RNemy509]

I was 9 and my dad took my brothers and i to see this in theater. I didnt know who Arnold Schwarzenegger was, but the Terminator was a helluva intro. I was immediately blown away by this movie and him!

[@ehrenloudermilk1053]

Dude, this is some top shelf documentary action on a movie i absolutely love. I was too young at release to be very knowledgeable. It was always a bit mysterious to me. Thank you for this

[@ericmcmanus5179]

Ive always considered the first terminator movie to be more of a horror film than an action film.

[@johnstuartkeller5244]

This, Alien, and Predator. Each sci-fi in setting and tools, but horror at their core.

[@Machete87]

agreed a humanoid cyborg goin round killing everybody jus to find 1 target. he was downright brutal in the 1st movie n back then Arnold literally scared the shit out of me. he might be the main reason i had a phobia of robots.

[@harryparsons2750]

It definitely is

[@earlthepearl6414]

This was a really well made video. You have a talent for this.

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thanks! I hope I'm not wasting my time haha

[@HalfWarrior]

Thank God James Cameron didn’t give up and followed through on his dream! I was 1 year from getting out of high school when this awesome movie came out. Loved it! Great video Layton!

[@detroitdjrush7231]

I can't understand how can you dream about a story that was already written!!

[@Guovssohas]

One of the finest movies of all time! So many fantastic scenes from beginning to end. I'm so glad the ending sequence with the terminator skeleton didn't get scrapped, it's some of my favourite parts of the movie, just perfectly made and scary asf. A timeless classic in every way, both this and Terminator 2.

[@SlasherTrash]

Once again, you've completely knocked it out of the park. I was just thinking to myself last night, "I wonder if Layton has uploaded a new retrospective" and found myself staring at an absolute gift. What are the odds that you'd only uploaded it 17 hours prior?! It was meant to be. The Terminator is one of my all-time favourites and, as far as I'm concerned, one of the greatest motion pictures ever made. This retrospective was a blast from start to finish. As I've said before, the format and structure with regards to all the elements you cover - and how much time you spend on each - is perfection. I don't have the patience or enthusiasm to watch any other 'documentary' style KZbin videos for long. They either bore me outright or don't engage my intrigue. I've watched all of your horror/action/blockbuster retrospectives and could watch a million more. You're the best in the biz. Keep up the amazing work.

[@LaytonEversaul]

It was fate, you might say ...

[@666kingjim]

Awesome video - great work! Heads up though - 19:56 Bill Paxton was in 4 Cameron movies, not 3. He was in The Terminator, Aliens, True Lies and Titanic. Always a treat when one of your videos pops up on my feed!

[@prosperity4444]

I love the flashing tech noir sign

[@feudist]

The original is by far my favorite. I saw it in the theater and was blown away. T2 was great of course but after that there is only the TV show, "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles." It recaptured the dark haunted future, the inhuman nature of an ever more dangerous iterative Skynet, and the sheer desperation of the original. Lena Headey as the hardened, lonely Sarah, Summer Glau as the Terminator sent by the enigmatic "Future" John and Thomas Dekker as the young John maturing into his awful destiny are excellent. Two future resistance fighters, Derek Reese and the savage Jesse Flores, expand the future war enormously. Eerily haunting, brutal and not to be missed. Skynet should send a Terminator back for the Fox execs that canceled it and Firefly.

[@vareast]

Cutting the 'Sarah Connor Chronicles' was a crime!

[@LiNKfreeK]

I'll never forgive the cancellation of this show.

[@sheldondrake8935]

Sarah Connor was a great show, and went out with a big flame, one of the wildest endings ever

[@feudist]

@@sheldondrake8935 Absolutely. A season ending huge cliffhanger that potentially changed everything. It was maddening that they let it end there, but after watching the series several times, I reconciled with it. The grimdark future after T2 might as well have been the Twilight Zone as Skynet and Future John essentially fought a Time War. So I view it as a TZ style shock ending that showed that there was NO end to a war of Time Loops.

[@colinburroughs9871]

@@feudist one of the brilliant things the first movie did, was acknowledge that Time Travel plots will "drive you nuts" and left it there, they're also a convenient out when stuff is getting canceled too lol

[@baddudecornpop7328]

Terminator on the SEGA, with the robots tearing up my red truck. I could never beat it lol

[@ibarzabal]

I was 12 years old when it was released in the cinema. As a kid, I remember my anxiety watching the terminator, it was like a nightmare indeed, something that could not be stopped. And yes I was not supposed to be there, but also remember in the 80s, people managing cinemas didnt really give a crap if you brought your small kid to watch such a movie... Man I loved the 80s for that

[@madiantin]

Favourite memory: there was a pizza place in Provo Utah that also rented movies: Sounds Easy. Pizza and movie rental: $5. Back in the day it was a real stretch for us to come up with that $5. But one Valentine's Day, while the rest of Provo checked out all the romance films, the husband and I got a pizza and rented Terminator 1 and 2 and watched them back to back. Best Valentine's Day ever. Happy Happy memories.

[@skandababy]

Utah. LOL

[@chucklos391]

So cute!! Good for you guys! Binge the best Terminator films.

[@paulpsycho78]

Lovely story. Slice of Americana

[@kotogray8335]

It just goes to show it takes many people working together to create this type of masterpiece. I like James Cameron's abilities, but the movie never would have made the impact it has without Arnold. He IS the terminator

[@KAlpha09]

The Terminator 2 was the first movie ever narrated to me way back in 1991. I was 6 and had a hard time understanding it. I was able to watch it only in the year 1997 and was blown away on how accurately he had described it.

[@wazza33racer]

A guy in Newcastle Australia built a full sized T-800 and had a real struggle to get actual dimensions from any props left over from the films. When he finished, it was actually very heavy and had to be mounted on a frame to keep it upright.

[@ottoburgess1555]

This is one of my favorite movies. I went to see it at least half a dozen times when it was released. I have seen and read a lot of related material on the film. Your retrospective is the best I have seen! Well done!

[@mistermatix8241]

What a brilliant, well researched retrospective on this classic film! This DESERVES to be added to any future disc release of The Terminator. I'd love to see a feature length documentary and more importantly a COMMENTARY. This is the next best thing, great work. The original docs featured on the dvd were great, but this feels more comprehensive somehow. Next Layton, a feature on Alien please

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thanks! I'll definitely be covering the Alien films. I'm a huge fan.

[@mrtheo7680]

​@@LaytonEversaulcan't wait

[@tronam]

What a fantastically detailed mini documentary. Along with everything else it really helped illustrate how insanely difficult it is to get your foot in the door as a new director in the industry without a proven resume.

[@markhammar3977]

"We want someone with experience", but how do you get experience without a foot in the door.

[@chriszajac8818]

Extremely well done documentary! Excellent. Watched it a few times already

[@paulwilliamsoniii7224]

These are my go to retrospectives for movies. Well researched, well written and well presented. Better than anything any mainstream TV or subscription service can make. Well done sir. An avid movie fan salutes your excellent contribution for movie lovers.

[@LaytonEversaul]

Thank you!

[@ajayb100]

The impact of this movie and the kind of scare it was able to push in our teenage brain those days cannot be matched by it’s other sequels 👍

[@vektacular]

Brad Feidel played a major part in making the movie successful as well…his music nailed the feeling or perhaps created the feeling that we all never had before it.

[@Weazel1]

This, for me, is easily my favorite Terminator and James Cameron film. Aliens is a close second, director wise. While I appreciate what T2 brought to the table, I was always somewhat disappointed by making the T800 “the good guy” instead of keeping him the terrifying, unstoppable villain. Robert Patrick, however, was brilliant. The first has a straightforward story that isn’t overshadowed by overblown action sequences like it’s many inferior sequels (post T2). It represents something you don’t see much in movies anymore, especially in a James Cameron flick. High concept with a modest budget. While we will never see it again, I would love for him to make something with massive constraints and show us once more “art from adversity” instead of another bloated budget film.

[@i3uster7]

T1 is one of the best movies ever made for sure, it really is a timeless movie that people from anywhere in the world could find something to enjoy. I recently watched this movie with a bunch of people from Japan that never saw it before, and they had a blast watching. Truly timeless.