The Beast (1996 film)

The Beast
Based onBeast
by Peter Benchley
Screenplay byJ. B. White
Directed byJeff Bleckner
Starring
  • William Petersen
  • Karen Sillas
  • Charles Martin Smith
  • Larry Drake
  • Ronald Guttman
Music byDon Davis
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerPeter Benchley
Dan Wigutow
ProducerTana Nugent Jamieson
Production locationsPatonga, New South Wales, Australia
Sydney
CinematographyGeoff Burton
EditorTod Feuerman
Running time176 minutes
Production companiesMCA Television Entertainment
Dan Wigutow Productions
Michael R. Joyce Productions
Budget$12,000,000
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseApril 28 (1996-04-28) 
April 29, 1996 (1996-04-29)

The Beast is a 1996 television movie starring William Petersen, Karen Sillas and Charles Martin Smith. Aired in two parts as a miniseries, the movie is based on the 1991 novel Beast by Jaws author Peter Benchley. The film is about a giant squid that attacks and kills several people when its food supply becomes scarce and its offspring is killed.

It was filmed primarily in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.