Arte to Rebroadcast 1977 Thriller Orca as Summer Viewership Shifts
A growing appetite for suspenseful films is driving a change in television programming as French audiences prepare for summer vacations. This Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the Arte channel will rebroadcast the 1977 film Orca at 8:55 p.m., joining France 3 in offering viewers thrilling alternatives to lighter summer fare.
A Vengeful Cetacean Takes Center Stage
The film Orca diverges from the typical summer blockbuster, trading sharks for vengeful orcas. The story centers on Captain Nolan, a fisherman who profits from selling marine life to aquariums. During a sea voyage with marine biologist Rachel and her assistant Ken, the latter is nearly attacked by a shark. An orca intervenes, saving Ken by attacking the shark, sparking a dangerous fascination in the fisherman who then becomes determined to capture the intelligent creature – a decision he soon regrets.
From Novel to Screen: The Origins of Orca
While a thrilling cinematic experience, the narrative of Orca wasn’t entirely original. The film’s scenario draws heavily from the 1975 novel of the same name by American author Arthur Herzog III. Some speculate the book was developed based on an early draft of the film’s script, but Herzog consistently maintained he did not participate in the film’s creation.
Herzog’s novel portrays the orca as “One of the most intelligent creatures in the universe,” capable of seeking retribution. The story follows Jack Campbell, relentlessly hunted by the cetacean in a brutal struggle for survival.
A Nod to Jaws in the Title and Beyond
The title Orca itself is more than just the scientific name – Orcinus Orca – of the animal at the heart of the plot. It also serves as a subtle homage to Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster, The Teeth of the Sea (Jaws). In that film, the shark hunter Quint’s fishing boat was named Orca, a reference to the orca being the natural predator of the great white shark. This connection highlights a deliberate intertextuality, acknowledging the influence of Jaws while charting its own course in the marine thriller genre.
The shift towards suspenseful films on French television reflects a strategic effort to cater to viewer preferences during the summer months. While the popular Camping saga won’t be returning to screens in July 2025, films like Orca and the rebroadcast of The Teeth of the Sea are poised to capture audiences seeking a thrilling escape.
