Venom (1981): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Venom is a 1981 horror thriller directed by Piers Haggard, starring Klaus Kinski as Jacques Müller (Jacmel), Susan George and Katherine Wilkinson. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $5.2 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- Piers Haggard
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Morison Film Group
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Venom About?
The premise of Venom without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When international terrorists try to kidnap the child of a wealthy couple, a simple plan spirals into murder, a siege, and a deadly death‑trap. Their mistake—releasing a venomous black mamba instead of a harmless snake—turns the hostage situation into a terrifying fight for survival as the snake prowls both captors and captives.
Venom Themes & Keywords
· 42 tags- snake
- grindhouse film
- when animals attack
- psychotronic film
- kidnapping gone wrong
- killer snake
- cult film
- black mamba
- chauffeur
- criminal
- black bra and panties
- shotgun
+30 more Show fewer
- pistol
- fear
- police
- boy
- screaming
- creature feature
- limousine
- mother son relationship
- rear view mirror
- nature horror
- house
- hostage
- toxicologist
- poisonous snake
- police siege
- antidote
- belgravia london
- pet shop
- london england
- asthma
- siege
- snake bite
- death
- murder
- kidnapping
- animal attack
- mansion
- based on novel
- independent film
- one word title
Venom Cast & Characters
Klaus Kinski leads the cast as Jacques Müller (Jacmel), with Susan George as Louise Andrews and Katherine Wilkinson as Susan Stowe. Directed by Piers Haggard; 34 actors are credited in all.
- Director Piers Haggard
-
Klaus Kinski as Jacques Müller (Jacmel) - Susan George as Louise Andrews
- Katherine Wilkinson as Susan Stowe
-
Sterling Hayden as Howard Anderson
Also Starring in Venom
· 30 more- Lance Holcomb Philip Hopkins
- Oliver Reed Dave Averconnelly
- Cornelia Sharpe Ruth Hopkins
- Sarah Miles Dr. Marion Stowe
- Nicol Williamson Cmdr. William Bulloch
- Michael Gough David Ball
- Edward Hardwicke Lord Dunning
- Guy Standeven Passer-by (uncredited)
- Arnold Diamond Head Waiter
- David Sterne Driver
- Hugh Lloyd Cab Driver
- Pat Gorman Policeman (uncredited)
- Rita Webb Mrs. Loewenthal
- Alan Ford Peters
- Eric Richard Airline Clerk
- Maurice Colbourne Sampson
Show all 34 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Mike Gwilym Det. Constable Dan Spencer
- Eric Kent Workman (uncredited)
- John Forbes-Robertson Sgt. Nash
- Cyril Conway Man in 17
- Charles Cork Driver's Mate
- Ian Brimble Constable
- Sally Lahee Woman in No.17
- Michael Watkins Rogers
- Moti Makan Mr Mukerjee
- Nicholas Donnelly Superintendent
- Norman Mann Williams
- Gerard Ryder Smith
- Howard Bell Constable
- Tony Meyer Martin
More from Piers Haggard
More films directed by Piers Haggard: The Shell Seekers, Eskimo Day, The Lifeforce Experiment and Four Eyes and Six-Guns.
Venom Plot Summary
What happens in Venom from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
International criminal Jacques Müller, Klaus Kinski and his girlfriend Louise Andrews, Susan George, hatch a plot to kidnap Philip Hopkins, Lance Holcomb — the teenage grandson of Howard Anderson, Sterling Hayden, a retired hunter who owns a vast hotel empire. Louise goes undercover as a maid working for Philip’s mother Ruth Hopkins, Cornelia Sharpe, and she seduces her chauffeur Dave Averconnelly, Oliver Reed, convincing him to help pull off the kidnapping. On the day of the scheme, Müller baits Howard and Ruth into leaving the house, while Louise and Dave seize the boy.
Full summary
The whole story of Venom, scene by scene
Venom Box Office
Venom grossed $5.2 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$5.2M
- US & Canada
- $5.2M
How Well Do You Know Venom?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the international criminal Jacques Müller?
Cars in Venom
39 cars on screen, including the 1978 Austin FX4 and the 1977 Chrysler Avenger.
-
1978 Austin FX4 Important role -
1977 Chrysler Avenger Important role -
1981 Ford Cortina MkV Important role -
1976 Princess 1800 Important role
Venom Also Known As
16 alternative titles, including “Die schwarze Mamba” and “Svart mamba”.
- Also known as
-
- Die schwarze Mamba
- Svart mamba
- Чёрная мамба
- Яд и злоба
- Perigo nas Sombras
- Perigo na Sombra
- Venin
- Veneno
- Черната мамба
- Jed
- Kígyóméreg
- Jad
+4 more Show fewer
- 魔鬼访客
- Змеиный яд
- Svarta mamban
- Terror Dentro da Noite
Seen Venom?
Movies Like Venom
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Venom, Venomous and Venom.
Venom FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Venom, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Venom?
Venom runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was Venom released?
Venom was released on November 28, 1981.
Who directed Venom?
Venom was directed by Piers Haggard.
More films by Piers Haggard Who is in the cast of Venom?
Venom stars Klaus Kinski as Jacques Müller (Jacmel), Susan George as Louise Andrews and Katherine Wilkinson as Susan Stowe, among 34 credited actors.
How much did Venom make at the box office?
Venom grossed $5.2 million worldwide.
Does Venom have a post-credit scene?
No. Venom has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
