Phase IV (1974)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Saul Bass

Writer:

Mayo Simon (writer)

Release Date:

September 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Ravenous Invaders Controlled by a Terror Out in Space Commanded to Annihilate the World!

Plot:

Desert ants suddenly form a collective intelligence and begin to wage war on the desert inhabitants...

Plot Keywords:

Ant | Desert | Scientist | Evolution | Investigation

Cast

Michael Murphy	...	James R. Lesko
Nigel Davenport	...	Dr. Ernest D. Hubbs
Lynne Frederick	...	Kendra Eldridge
Alan Gifford	...	Mr. Eldridge
Robert Henderson	...	Clete
Helen Horton	...	Mildred Eldridge

Also Known As:

Phase Four (UK)

Runtime:

93 min | USA:84 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (1989) | Iceland:12 | Australia:PG | France:-12 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Alced Productions

Trivia:

Saul Bass has said in interviews that the studio tampered with film in post against his wishes.

Goofs:

Continuity: During one of the scenes inside the dome, Lynne Frederick speaks with a English accent instead of the American accent she uses during the rest of the film.

Quotes:

[last lines]
James R. Lesko: [voiceover] We knew then, that we were being changed... and made part of their world. We didn't know for what purpose... but we knew, we would be told.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Phase IV (#1.9)" (1989)

Overlooked film from the Master of film credits

Phase IV is an incredible full length feature film by Saul Bass who is most acclaimed as a graphic designer who's work can be seen as the opening credits from The Seven Year Itch, Vertigo, West Side Story to Alien, Broadcast News and Casino. Phase IV is a much overlooked film that is very much in the style of The Andromeda Strain. What it perhaps lacks in story, it gains in the photography of the millions of ants - the film's additional cast.