Lake Placid 1999
Directed by
Steve Miner
Made by
Fox 2000 Pictures
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Lake Placid (1999). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In the remote wilderness of Aroostook County, Maine, a shocking incident unfolds as Fish and Game officer Walt Lawson is scuba diving in Black Lake. Suddenly, he becomes the victim of a vicious attack, meeting a horrifying fate when he is bitten in half by an unidentified creature lurking beneath the surface.
The following day, Sheriff Hank Keough, along with fellow officer Jack Wells and paleontologist Kelly Scott, from the American Museum of Natural History, heads to the lake to investigate this bizarre occurrence. Joining them is Hector Cyr, a mythology professor and crocodile aficionado. Their investigation takes a dark turn when, after an accident capsizes their canoe, they stumble upon a severed human toe and a mutilated moose head. The tension escalates as Deputy Burke falls prey to the creature while out on a boat, meeting a gruesome end when his head is violently bitten off.
As Hank and Hector bicker amidst the growing danger, the situation intensifies when a massive 30-foot long saltwater crocodile emerges from the depths, snatching a bear right before their eyes and dragging it into the lake. Tensions rise further when the group finds Burke’s severed head, leading them to encounter Delores Bickerman, a reclusive old woman living near the lake. She reveals her shocking past: for years, she has been feeding the crocodile, which first appeared when it followed her late husband Bernie home, only to later kill him after he intervened in a frantic horse chase. Delores’s initial deception to the authorities had resulted in her house arrest.
In a reckless bid to confront the crocodile, Hector takes Deputy Sharon Gare on a helicopter venture, accidentally landing in the creature’s territory. While scuba diving, Hector encounters the beast but manages to escape with Gare, thanks to some clever distraction tactics. Meanwhile, Jack and Hank devise a plan to wait for the Florida Fish and Game team to kill the crocodile. However, Hector proposes a more risky alternative: he will lure the creature out with one of Delores’s cattle as bait for tranquilization.
As the plan unfolds, Hector struggles to keep the animal steady during the descent, ultimately crashing their helicopter into the lake. In the chaos, the crocodile pursues Jack, Kelly, and the others onto land. Despite a near-fatal encounter, Kelly manages to reach safety in the helicopter, only to find the crocodile cornering her. In a twist, Jack mistakenly shoots the creature with a tranquilizer instead of a lethal weapon. Things take a further turn when another crocodile emerges, attacking Hector, but Hank heroically intervenes with a grenade launcher, destroying the threat.
As the ordeal comes to an end, officials from Florida Fish and Game arrive to transport the subdued crocodile to Portland, Maine, intent on determining its fate. The story wraps up one week later with a shocking revelation: Delores is shown feeding breadcrumbs to numerous baby crocodiles, hinting that the two adult crocodiles were, in fact, a mating pair. The surviving adult is then seen secured to a truck, speeding down a road, leaving the audience to wonder what happens next.
Timeline
Track the key events of Lake Placid (1999) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Walt Lawson's Attack
In the remote wilderness of Aroostook County, Maine, Fish and Game officer Walt Lawson is scuba diving in Black Lake. His calm dive turns into a shocking tragedy when he is violently bitten in half by an unidentified creature lurking beneath the lake's surface.
Investigation Begins
The following day, Sheriff Hank Keough, along with officer Jack Wells and paleontologist Kelly Scott, arrives at Black Lake to investigate the bizarre attack on Walt Lawson. They are soon joined by Hector Cyr, a mythology professor, adding an unusual dynamic to the investigation.
Discovery of the Toe and Moose Head
While investigating, the team faces a tragic incident when their canoe capsizes. As they swim to safety, they stumble upon a severed human toe and a mutilated moose head, heightening the sense of danger and urgency surrounding their mission.
Deputy Burke's Fate
Things take a darker turn as Deputy Burke, while out on a boat, falls victim to the creature. In a gruesome display, he loses his head to the monstrous beast, further escalating the panic among the remaining officers.
Crocodile Observation
As tensions rise, the team witnesses an enormous 30-foot long saltwater crocodile emerge from the depths. It shocks them further when the creature snatches a bear right in front of their eyes, confirming the terrifying presence beneath the water.
Delores Bickerman's Revelation
The investigation leads the group to Delores Bickerman, a reclusive woman living near the lake. She reveals her dark past of feeding the crocodile, which once followed her late husband home before tragically killing him.
Helicopter Adventure
In a reckless move to confront the crocodile, Hector takes Deputy Sharon Gare on a helicopter trip over the lake. Their descent turns perilous as they accidently land in the creature's territory, provoking a tense encounter.
Scuba Diving Encounter
During a scuba dive to locate the crocodile, Hector encounters the beast directly. Utilizing cunning distraction tactics, he successfully escapes with Sharon, revealing the impressive yet terrifying intelligence of the creature.
Baiting the Crocodile
As the group waits for backup from the Florida Fish and Game team, Hector proposes a risky plan. He suggests using one of Delores's cattle as bait to lure out the crocodile for tranquilization, which intensifies the group's efforts.
Helicopter Crash
The plan takes a turn for the worse when Hector struggles with the descent, resulting in a crash into the lake. The chaos brings the crocodile's attention onto the survivors, as they desperately try to escape its deadly pursuit.
Kelly's Near-Fatal Encounter
Even after the chaos, danger looms as Jack, Kelly, and the others are pursued on land by the crocodile. In a nail-biting moment, Kelly narrowly escapes its clutches and finds refuge in the helicopter.
Unfortunate Fatal Mistake
As the situation escalates, Jack mistakenly shoots the crocodile with a tranquilizer instead of a lethal weapon. This blunder exposes the team to further risk as they attempt to deal with the raging beast.
Hank's Heroic Action
Just when all seems lost, Hank intervenes heroically using a grenade launcher to destroy another emerging crocodile. His bravery brings a momentary sigh of relief amidst the ongoing chaos.
Arrival of Florida Fish and Game
As the madness begins to settle, officials from Florida Fish and Game arrive to transport the subdued crocodile. They prepare to take the creature to Portland, Maine, with the intention of studying its fate.
Surprising Revelation
A week later, the story concludes with a shocking twist: Delores is seen feeding breadcrumbs to numerous baby crocodiles. This revelation implies that the two adult crocodiles were a mating pair, leaving the audience questioning the ongoing threat.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Lake Placid (1999) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Walt Lawson
Walt Lawson is a dedicated Fish and Game officer who tragically becomes the first victim of the crocodile. His commitment to duty underscores the dangers associated with wildlife protection in remote areas. His brutal fate sets off the chain of events that follow, raising stakes for the other characters.
Hank Keough
Sheriff Hank Keough embodies the determination and leadership necessary to confront the strange occurrences at Black Lake. His interactions with Hector reveal a mix of skepticism and camaraderie as they navigate the unfolding horrors. Hank's protective instincts drive him to take significant risks to save others.
Kelly Scott
Kelly Scott is a paleontologist whose expertise is vital to understanding the threat posed by the crocodile. She is resourceful and brave, showing both intellect and courage in perilous situations. As one of the few women in the group, her character adds depth to the dynamic among the investigators.
Hector Cyr
Hector Cyr, a mythology professor, brings a unique perspective to the group as a crocodile enthusiast. His fascination with the creature drives him to take risks that often put him and others in jeopardy. Hector’s character arc is central to the story, as he learns about the realities of nature versus myth.
Delores Bickerman
Delores Bickerman is a mysterious figure whose connection to the crocodile creates tension within the narrative. Her hidden motivations and questionable past provide complexity to her character as she grapples with the consequences of her actions. She encodes a sense of danger and unpredictability.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Lake Placid (1999), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Location
Aroostook County, Maine, Black Lake
Aroostook County is known for its vast wilderness and remote landscapes, making it a prime setting for outdoor adventure and horror alike. Black Lake, a central location in the film, contrasts serene beauty with lurking danger beneath the water’s surface, serving as the stage for the terrifying incidents involving a monstrous creature.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Lake Placid (1999). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Survival
The theme of survival is ever-present as characters confront a deadly crocodile that threatens their lives. The struggle to outsmart and escape the creature reveals the lengths humans will go to protect themselves and others. The ordeal showcases both physical and psychological challenges in the face of nature's fury.
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Secrets
Secrets play a crucial role in the narrative, particularly Delores's hidden past with the crocodile. Her deception about the creature’s existence highlights themes of guilt and responsibility. The revelation of her feeding the crocodile adds layers to her character and demonstrates the consequences of keeping secrets.
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