Phase IV (1974)

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

Directed by
Saul Bass

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Mayo Simon		writer

Produced by
Paul B. Radin	....	producer

Original Music by
Brian Gascoigne

Cinematography by
Dick Bush

Film Editing by
Willy Kemplen

Art Direction by
John Barry

Costume Design by
Verena Coleman

Makeup Department
Betty Glasow	....	hair stylist
Freddie Williamson	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Eva Monley	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
William P. Cartlidge	....	assistant director

Art Department
Norman Reynolds	....	assistant art director
Bill Welch	....	construction manager

Sound Department
Norman Bolland	....	sound recordist
Bob Jones	....	dubbing mixer
John Poyner	....	dubbing editor

Special Effects by
John Richardson	....	special effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Keith Hamshere	....	still photographer
Dennis C. Lewiston	....	camera operator
Jack Mills	....	camera operator: second unit

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Rosemary Burrows	....	wardrobe supervisor

Music Department
Desmond Briscoe	....	composer: additional electronic music
Brian Gascoigne	....	electronic music realisation
David Vorhaus	....	electronic music realisation

Other crew
Alan Arnold	....	publicist
Saul Bass	....	title designer
Pamela Carlton	....	continuity
Ken Middleham	....	insect sequences
Ivo Nightingale	....	location manager
Ron Phipps	....	production accountant
Iris Rose	....	production secretary

Production Companies

• Alced Productions
• Paramount Pictures

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1974) (USA) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1978) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Legend Films (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Paramount Gateway Video (1982) (USA) (VHS)

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:

Edited into 42nd Street Forever, Volume 3: Exploitation Explosion (2008) (V)

Genuinely un-nerving and surreal

An overlooked gem of 70's Sci-fi. Uses its desert location to generate an atmosphere of isolation and paranoia. Fabulous photography of real ants add to the chilling atmosphere. Ending was a bit of a cop out but i'd still recommend this to any sci-fi fan