Phase IV (1974)

Fantastic!

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

By far the creepiest aspect of this film was the American scientist's attraction to what was supposed to be a child. Yes, I know the actress playing her was aged 19 - 20 at the time of filming but her character wasn't, as evidenced by the bit of trivia stating she had to wear a special corset to hide her maturity. The way she's presented to Lesko towards the end of the film, like Adam being presented with Eve, and indeed his own commentary, in which he states it was 'clear' what was expected of them, confirms how he views her and her role, at least in his mind. Still, I suppose 40+ years on, he could claim it wasn't him, the ants made him do it.

By the Late Sixties and Early Seventies Sci-Fi took on a more Intellectual, Serious Concern about Our place in the Universe and Our place right here on Terra-Firma. This is one of those and one of the best. An underrated, little-seen Thriller with its Elegant Cinematography and Great Insect Footage remains a Thought-Provoking and wholly engaging Film.Directed by Famous and Award Winning Graphic Title Designer Saul Bass, combining stunning scenery and SFX with an Ominous Musical Score, the Movie is an Unnerving Unraveling of an event puzzling Scientists and could be a Foreboding of Things to Come.It's well Acted, save the Girl, and the Tension at times is unbearable. Some have said the the Ending is Ambiguous, but not really. The Voice-Over tells what happened and what is most likely going to happen. It's a bit Mysterious but a Solid wrap-up and is very disturbing.A tight little Thriller in the "Bug" Genre as the Little Creatures provide Unending Story lines and Fascination. A Cult Classic.

I watched Phase IV in the 1970s when I was probably too young to understand it but I was hooked on it anyway... It's the ants.This film has a lot to offer and is deeply rewarding when watched again and again over the years. I only recently realised that this is one of the very few films directed by Saul Bass, whose production, titles and graphic designs defined the coolness, and the cool, of the 1950s, 60s and 70's American cinema. Mad Men? Not without Saul Bass.And Phase IV is very much a design cinema, the kind that Don Draper would watch several times over. It's Sci-Fi for sure. It could be an extended episode of a never-realised 1970s visit to the Twilight Zone. It's a type of American film that makes you think of the low-budget Americana of Easy Rider, Corman, and early Coppola. It's very cool. If you can imagine an American SF film reconfigured as world cinema nature documentary with aspects of Cronenberg horror, then you have only just begun to embrace this film.A few years ago I listened to a Blue States album and the cover reminded me of this film so I watched it again. And I keep watching it. It's haunting, worrying, apocalyptic, cool, beautifully photographed and minimalist in its attitude to conventional drama and character. The actors are amazing, though. Michael Murphy. Understated and subtle. Nigel Davenport. A Don!Finally, If you are afraid of ants, DO NOT watch this film. The idea that they could truly harm humankind is outlandish and beautiful. I love ants, so it's OK.

There seems to be a problem with some ants in the desert. One scientist is called upon by a man who is already on the scene for his appraisal of the situation. The senior scientist is focused on his study of these creatures and seemingly has no real interest in the impact to humanity. His young consultant sees the storm coming and his warnings are ignored. The film on it's merits: Well photographed and fairly well acted. The science is plausible and the writing is thoughtful and succinct. The dated technology adds to the charm of a film that was released in 1974. Summary: A very thoughtful film about man and his place on Earth but maybe not in his world. This is science fiction at it's very best. Do we corrupt nature, are we part of it, do we control it or does it control us?I highly recommend this film to hardcore no fluff science fiction fans.