Night of the Lepus Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Scientists try to fix a rabbit problem but accidentally make giant, killer bunnies, proving once again that nature should just be left alone… unless you’re trying to make a hilariously bad movie.

🍿 Night of the Lepus: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Rabbit Overpopulation

The film opens with newsreel footage depicting rabbit plagues, setting the stage for a similar crisis in Arizona. Rancher Cole Hillman faces a massive rabbit infestation on his land, leading to significant crop damage and economic hardship. Determined to find a humane solution, he seeks assistance from university president Elgin Clark, who connects him with research scientists Roy and Gerry Bennett.

Experimental Research

Roy and Gerry Bennett, a husband-and-wife team specializing in biological pest control, propose an experimental solution: hormone injections to disrupt the rabbits’ reproductive cycle. They capture several rabbits for testing, but their young daughter, Amanda, grows attached to one of the test subjects. In a misguided attempt to protect the rabbit, Amanda switches it with a control group animal.

Mutation and Mayhem

The injected rabbit escapes into the wild and begins to reproduce, but the experimental serum causes an unforeseen mutation. The rabbits grow to enormous sizes and develop a taste for flesh, becoming bloodthirsty predators. The once-harmless creatures begin to terrorize the countryside, attacking livestock and humans alike.

Escalating Crisis

As the body count rises, authorities struggle to understand the nature of the threat. Bizarre reports of animal attacks lead to confusion and fear. Roy and Gerry, realizing the disastrous consequences of their experiment, team up with Cole and local law enforcement to contain the giant rabbits. The situation quickly escalates, requiring desperate measures to protect the community.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Roy Bennett (Stuart Whitman): A zoologist who attempts to solve the rabbit overpopulation issue but inadvertently creates giant killer rabbits.
• Gerry Bennett (Janet Leigh): Roy’s wife and fellow researcher who supports his efforts to control the rabbit population.
• Cole Hillman (Rory Calhoun): An Arizona rancher whose property is overrun by rabbits and seeks an ecologically sound solution.
• Elgin Clark (DeForest Kelley): The college president who connects Roy Bennett with Cole Hillman to address the rabbit problem.
• Amanda Bennett (Melanie Fullerton): The Bennetts’ daughter whose actions lead to the escape of an experimental rabbit, causing the mutation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Officer Lopez: “Attention! Attention! Ladies and gentlemen, attention! There is a herd of killer rabbits headed this way and we desperately need your help!” – Spoken to rally people at a drive-in movie to use their cars to help herd the rabbits.
• Roy Bennett: “We’re dealing with a mutation we don’t understand.” – Expressing concern about the unpredictable consequences of their experiments.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $900,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Night of the Lepus Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Night of the Lepus’ is objectively terrible, but I can’t help but love it. The premise is so ridiculous, it’s genius! Seeing the bunnies ‘attack’ the miniature sets is hilarious, and the over-the-top reactions from the cast make it even better. It’s a perfect movie for a bad-movie night with friends – just be prepared for lots of laughs and maybe a few unintentional nightmares about fluffy, bloodthirsty creatures.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of B-movies and cult classics”
  • “Viewers who enjoy unintentionally funny horror films”
  • “Those interested in creature features and animal attack movies”
  • “People looking for a campy and nostalgic cinematic experience”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild gore and violence”
  • “Animal attacks”
  • “Some scenes may be disturbing to sensitive viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Film Monthly: “While ambitious in its premise, the execution falls flat. The ‘horror’ is more laughable than frightening, but it’s a film that is so bad it might be good. Janet Leigh and DeForest Kelley add some much-needed talent.
• Sci-Fi Today: “Night of the Lepus fails spectacularly as a sci-fi thriller. The special effects are laughable, and the killer rabbits are anything but scary. A true cult classic for all the wrong reasons.

Audience Reactions

I couldn’t stop laughing at the ‘scary’ rabbit attack scenes!: Unintentionally hilarious and a fun watch for those who enjoy bad movies.

Overall Consensus: A campy and unintentionally hilarious horror film with terrible special effects, making it a cult classic for fans of bad movies.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The filmmakers used a combination of forced perspective, miniature sets, and slow-motion footage of real rabbits to create the illusion of giant rabbits.”
• “Janet Leigh later admitted that she regretted making the film, but needed the money.”
• “The film’s premise was inspired by the real-life rabbit plagues that have occurred in Australia.”

🖥️ How to Watch Night of the Lepus?

As a cult classic, “Night of the Lepus” is available for purchase on physical media such as DVD and Blu-ray. However, as of now, it is not readily available on major streaming platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, or Hulu. Check your preferred digital retailers like Apple TV or Vudu for potential purchase or rental options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Night of the Lepus, you might like these similar films:

• The Food of the Gods (1976): Another ‘nature strikes back’ film where animals grow to giant size and terrorize humans.
• Kingdom of the Spiders (1977): A rural community is threatened by a mass of venomous spiders.
• Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (1978): A comedic take on the killer animal genre, offering a similar level of absurdity.
• Arachnophobia (1990): A more modern and well-produced take on the killer animal theme with a focus on spiders.

🛒 Night of the Lepus Related Products

• Killer Bunny Mask: Bring the movie to life with this over-the-top killer bunny mask. A great gag gift or costume piece for horror fans with a sense of humor.
• Watership Down [Blu-ray]: For those seeking a rabbit-centric film with a bit more depth, Watership Down offers an animated classic. Compare and contrast this movie with Night of the Lepus to see bunnies portrayed in a different and darker light.
• Giant Rabbit Plush: A huge, soft rabbit plush – perfect for cuddling… or staging your own mini ‘Night of the Lepus’ scenes. Just add a little red paint! (Not recommended).

🎧 Soundtrack

Night of the Lepus features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Jimmie Haskell
• “Rabbit Rampage” – performed by Jimmie Haskell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How BAD is Night of the Lepus?

Ever wondered just *how* bad ‘Night of the Lepus’ really is? This review dives deep into the film’s flaws and hilariously analyzes why it’s become such a cult classic…for all the wrong reasons. You gotta see this!

Night of the Lepus (1972) Carnage Count

Curious about the body count in ‘Night of the Lepus’? This video meticulously counts every on-screen demise, offering a surprisingly entertaining (and slightly morbid) look at the movie’s…intensity. Prepare for some surprisingly low numbers!

The Best of Rifftrax – Night Of The Lepus

Let’s be honest, ‘Night of the Lepus’ is unintentionally hilarious, and RiffTrax makes it even better. This compilation of their best jokes will have you in stitches—it’s the perfect way to appreciate the movie’s campy charm!

✨ Rate