If You Loved Robert Shaw In Jaws, Then You MUST Watch This ’70s Thriller About A Homicidal Blimp Pilot

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I really love the movie Jaws, and what I enjoy most is the characters. While the shark, Bruce, is impressive, my favorite character is definitely Quint, brilliantly portrayed by Robert Shaw.

Although Quint is likely what George Shaw is best known for, he was a versatile actor who worked in theater, television, and as a writer. I didn’t fully appreciate his talent, though, until I saw him in the 1977 action movie, Black Sunday – a film about a terrorist plot to attack the Super Bowl and the man trying to prevent it.

I enjoy a thrilling story, and there have been some excellent ones recently. However, this thriller from the 1970s stands out – here’s what makes it different.

The Story Comes From A Thomas Harris Novel. Yes, The Author Of The Silence Of The Lambs

I was surprised to see that this movie was based on a novel by Thomas Harris. I actually didn’t realize he’d written anything besides the Hannibal Lecter stories – like Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, and Hannibal. My first reaction was genuine shock!

I was surprised to discover that Thomas Harris actually wrote books outside of the horror genre – though some people don’t even classify The Silence of the Lambs as horror. I had no idea he’d published a novel around six years before Red Dragon (1981)!

I haven’t read the book Black Sunday, so I can’t compare it to the movie. However, after reading a summary of the book’s plot, it seems the film follows the story closely, except for the ending, which appears to be quite different.

I find it really interesting to discover the hidden depths behind the people we think we know. It’s like realizing an author has a life and experiences you weren’t aware of. It reminds me of when I found out the band 311 actually released two albums before their big breakthrough record – but I’m getting sidetracked! Let’s get back to talking about the film.

The Plot Concerns A Terrorist Who Wants To Kill People At The Super Bowl

Let’s talk about the story, which is what initially drew me to this film. Just a heads-up: if you’re planning to watch it, be sure to choose the version with Robert Shaw – not the 1960 horror movie that shares the same title. I accidentally watched the wrong one myself when I used to get DVDs in the mail from Netflix!

Bruce Dern plays a Vietnam War veteran and former prisoner of war who now pilots a blimp during Sunday football games. Though he appears stable, he’s secretly suicidal due to his experiences in Vietnam. He becomes involved with Dahlia Iyad (Marthe Keller), a terrorist who manipulates him into planning a large-scale attack. Disillusioned with America, he’s willing to sacrifice himself and many others in a dramatic act of destruction.

The group’s scheme involves filling a blimp with tiny darts that will scatter when it’s detonated. Dern is carrying out this plan because he’s in love with Dahlia, but she’s manipulating him. Her real loyalty lies with the terrorist organization Black September, which intends to make a dramatic statement to the United States.

The plan would probably succeed without any problems, except for one person: Major David Kabakov, played by Robert Shaw, who I’ll be discussing next.

Robert Shaw Plays An Israeli Counter-Terrorist Agent

Robert Shaw was a versatile actor with a strong career even before he starred in Jaws. Many will remember him from films like The Sting and A Man for All Seasons, both of which won Best Picture. James Bond fans might recognize him as the villain Donald Grant in From Russia with Love. Shaw had a remarkable ability to convincingly play both heroes and villains with effortless skill, a talent that’s clearly on display in Black Sunday.

In the John Frankenheimer film, actor Robert Shaw portrays David Kabakov, an Israeli Mossad agent who specializes in counterterrorism. The movie introduces him during a raid on a terrorist hideout, where he moves with quiet skill and accuracy. He unexpectedly finds Dahlia Iyad showering and, though he has the chance to kill her, he chooses not to – a decision he later comes to regret.

She becomes a major source of frustration for him as the movie progresses. In fact, her actions are so impactful that when he starts to lose his edge, one of her crimes motivates him to act again. There’s a particularly intense scene where he uses intimidation – he holds a gun to someone’s mouth and demands a signal if they’ll talk, threatening deadly consequences if they remain silent.

I really like this character – honestly, I like him even more than Quint from Jaws, which I never thought would happen. But a movie like this needs a strong villain, and thankfully, this one delivers. I’ll explain more about that next.

Bruce Dern Is Riveting As A Disturbed Former Veteran

It’s funny – I often don’t realize it’s Bruce Dern when I see him in older roles. I’ve seen him in films like They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? and Hitchcock’s Family Plot, but I’m so accustomed to his later work, like in The Hateful Eight, that it’s surprising to see him looking younger and more energetic.

He appears youthful and lively on screen, despite portraying a genuinely threatening character. However, his menace differs from someone like Robert Shaw’s character; he’s more like a wild animal, and at his core, deeply sociopathic.

He was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and since coming home, he believes he’s been unfairly treated and taken advantage of. His wife has left him, taking their children, and he’s deeply paranoid – he struggles to stay calm if he remains in one location for very long.

What’s truly frightening is that he seems perfectly normal – no one would guess he’s capable of harming so many people. Dahlia is scary, yes, but we understand why she does what she does. This other character is unpredictable, a total unknown, and that’s what makes him so terrifying!

The Climax Is Incredible

The film’s ending is truly incredible—it’s genuinely shocking and hard to believe! I won’t give away any specifics, but it’s something you really need to witness for yourself to understand how wild it is.

In the movie’s climax, Dern’s character follows through with the blimp-related plan – which isn’t much of a surprise, given it’s featured on the poster. However, Shaw’s character intervenes, and the resulting confrontation was completely unexpected and shocking.

Right after the movie finished, I looked up the book’s plot summary, and it turns out the ending isn’t exactly the same. It’s not a huge change, but there are differences. Still, I really enjoyed the movie’s ending – it was just as thrilling as everything else. I definitely give it a thumbs up!

So, what do you think? Have you ever watched Black Sunday? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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2025-10-28 19:30