Orca is man-vs-beast nonsense. Some fine special effects and underwater camera work are plowed under in dumb story-telling.

Richard Harris is a shark-hunting seafarer who incurs the enmity of a superintelligent whale after harpooning the whale’s pregnant mate.

We learn all about the whales from Charlotte Rampling, ever at the ready with scientific exposition, occasional voiceover and arch posing.

Assorted supporting players include Will Sampson, who complements Rampling’s pedantic dialog with ancient tribal lore; Peter Hooten, Bo Derek and Keenan Wynn, a part of the Harris boat crew; Scott Walker as menacing leader of village fishermen who wish Harris would just leave their whale-harassed town.