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Action Cult Classic

A marine-turned-cop hunts backwoods criminals to avenge his family and rescue his sister.

SNAKE EATER

As dirty as Dirty Harry, as dangerous as Deliverance

1989 · 1h 31m · R · Action / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

The Snake Eaters are an elite division of the Marines especially trained for search and destroy missions. This actioner chronicles the exploits of one of them who has become a cop. Known as a tough loner, he returns to find the band of backwoods bad-guys who killed his parents and abducted his sister.

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Quick Answer

What is Snake Eater about?

Snake Eater is a 1989 Canadian action thriller film directed by George Erschbamer about a tough ex-Marine who becomes a cop and sets out to track down the backwoods criminals who killed his parents and abducted his sister.

Programmer's Pick

Lorenzo Lamas flexes both muscle and mullet as a marine-cop hybrid who'd rather go rogue than file paperwork. Snake Eater doesn't skimp on backwoods mayhem—expect traps, shirtless confrontations, and a hero who knows his way around both the jungle and a police cruiser.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Jack Kelly, a former Marine from an elite unit known as the Snake Eaters, brings his specialized search-and-destroy skills to his new role as a cop. With a reputation as a tough loner, Kelly is driven by a personal vendetta after his parents are murdered and his sister is abducted by a gang of rural criminals. Drawing on his military background and survival instincts, he operates outside the bounds of conventional police work, blending jungle tactics with urban law enforcement. Set in rugged terrain and packed with action, Snake Eater is a tale of relentless pursuit and personal justice, delivered with all the hallmarks of late '80s action cinema.

Details & Specs

Director
George Erschbamer
Writers
John Dunning, Michael Paseornek
Release
1989
Runtime
1h 31m
Country
Canada
Language
English, Spanish
Genres
Action, Thriller
Also Known As
Soldier, Snake eater – vendetta a tutti i costi, Comando Cobra

Why This Matters

This film marked Lorenzo Lamas' debut in action roles and launched the Snake Eater series, representing Cinépix's return to exploitation-style filmmaking by blending vigilante action with 'hicksploitation' elements, despite mixed critical reception.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: George Erschbamer Writers: John Dunning +1 more
Lorenzo Lamas Lorenzo Lamas Jack Kelly JB Josie Bell The Kid Ronnie Hawkins Ronnie Hawkins King BD Ben DiGregorio Santucci Ron Palillo Ron Palillo Torchy Mowava Pryor Mowava Pryor Chloe SB Sandra Brown Sissy MB Michael Ballew Dentist RC Richard Collins Uncle Joe RW Randy White Eli

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Why Cult

Marine Skills in Action

Jack Kelly puts elite military training to work as he hunts down criminals with precision and improvisation.

Revenge and Rescue Plot

The stakes are personal as Kelly seeks justice for his murdered parents and fights to save his abducted sister.

Backwoods Antagonists

The villains are a distinct breed of rural outlaws, making for gritty, unconventional action sequences.

Late '80s Action Vibes

From shirtless heroics to inventive traps, the film delivers signature genre touches of its era.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Murder of parents and abduction of sister

Threat

Backwoods gang of criminals

Effect

Family destruction and human trafficking

Countermeasure

Marine-trained cop pursues and confronts gang

Setting

Rural woods and forests

Questions from the Vault

When was Snake Eater released? +

Snake Eater was released in 1989.

Who directed Snake Eater? +

Snake Eater was directed by George Erschbamer.

How long is Snake Eater? +

Snake Eater has a runtime of 91 minutes.

What genre is Snake Eater? +

Snake Eater is an action thriller.

Trailers & Clips

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