The native Americans of New Mexico are in an uproar thanks to nightly raids by swarms of vampire bats that leave their cattle dead and their people horribly mutilated. Time to call in bat biologist David Warner, who's had it in for the migratory beasts ever since they ate his father. The initial promise of a penetrating look at the plight of American Indians as they struggle to be recognised by their white political representatives is soon dropped in favour of one unconvincing bat attack after another. Arthur Hiller's uninspired direction, the absurd fake bats (built by Carlo Rambaldi of ET fame) and tepid thrills doom this laughable version of Martin Cruz Smith's bestseller.

Killer bats plague an Indian reservation in Arizona.