Watch Phase IV For Free

Really Surprised!

A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

I watched this film again for the first time in many many years. I watched it with my fiancé and she told me, "That was strange..." I then referenced a Family Guy episode that talked about one of those old 70's science fiction films with the ambiguous endings and said, "This is a near perfect example of one of those and the music is just like one of those!" Yes, this film is a bit ambiguous, a bit vague and it is also very unique. Not like other ant films of the times, the ants here are no simple killers like in the movie where the ants overrun a hotel nor does this one feature giant ants like in Them or Empire of the Ants. No, here the ants are becoming more intelligent and the changes subtle at first as the first five or so minutes of the film almost play out like a nature documentary. My fiancé asked me during this stretch whether there were any human characters at all in it, which soon answered itself when a truck was shown driving along the rode.The story, basically has a planetary alignment causing problems. Not in the form of massive worldwide disasters, but in a more subtle way. Ants, seem to be communicating in ways thought impossible as they begin to communicate with every species all working together. A scientist who has been studying this phenomenon and a man who is good at cracking puzzles and codes head to a facility in Arizona where they are going to try and figure out what is happening and how much of a threat the ants may pose. Unfortunately, a family that had been ordered to evacuate remains and their staying will end up causing a lot of problems that put the men behind in their studying of the ants and the ants seem a lot more capable of survival and fighting everything the humans throw at them! I am not going to say this film is a favorite of mine. I will not even say it is my favorite killer ant movie as I like Empire of the Ants more, though it is admittedly more cheesy. This one is very unique though and interesting. I just do not like certain elements to it. It is a bit strange; though, I was able to understand it more this time than I was the first time I saw it as a kid and that scene where the scientist falls into the hole is a bit creepy. It also had creepy scenes where they showed the ants doing stuff. Strangely effective scenes. Still, just needed a bit more to bring it all together...definitely more science fiction than horror.

Famed title designer Saul Bass made his feature length directing debut with this offbeat film that offers a fresh alternative to the giant insect pictures of the atomic age. It's short on action and long on dialogue and atmosphere; it's definitely an animal attack film for the thinking person, but is fascinating in a surreal, mind bending way. The visuals are most impressive (Bass and cinematographer Dick Bush take full advantage of the isolated rural settings) and the performances quite sincere. The cast features a bare minimum of human characters and a host of ants visible through insect photography supervised by Ken Middleham. The music by Brian Gascoigne is eerie and effective.Due to a mysterious cosmic event, ant life on Planet Earth is going through radical changes. They're now more intelligent than they've ever been, and are building odd structures in the desert. Sent to study the phenomena are two scientists, James R. Lesko (a likable Michael Murphy) and Ernest Hubbs (the always solid Nigel Davenport). Adding to their problems is the appearance of local farm girl Kendra Eldridge (played by the beautiful, appealing Lynne Frederick), whose family was besieged by the ant aggressors.Bass dares to have this story take its time, but offers the viewer an interesting tale (written by Mayo Simon) with far reaching possibilities. The situation just grows more and more hopeless for our weary heroes, who try to establish communication with the ants. This leads to a very striking finale that fits right in with other resolutions in 1970s cinema. The animal action is excellent and there's one particularly great moment involving a praying mantis. One intense set piece as Kendra's family attempts to flee is riveting stuff.Film buffs take note: Helen Horton, who plays farm woman Mildred Eldridge, was the voice of Mother in "Alien" five years later.Eight out of 10.

One of the spate of "environmental" sci-fi movies that came out in the wake of 2001, SILENT RUNNING comes to mind as well as the superficially similar (to PHASE IV) THE HELLSTROM CHRONICLE, this movie has the benefit of some good macro photography of various ants (and, if I remember my days in California, a blue-black wasp with orange feelers and wings known as a "tarantula hawk"). I saw it again last night on the final day of SIFF. Included was the "long lost" alternate ending which was influenced (obviously) by 2001 and some other obscure films like THE MASK (Julian Roffman's 1961 3-D extravaganza) and William Cameron Menzie's, also a noted designer, THE MAZE.The movie is a bit dated and clearly "hooie" although I remember it as being a bit more convincing when I saw it in a theater in 1974. The alternate ending would have made it a better movie experience although it resolved nothing and is basically a montage of surreal, suggestive imagery.Will anyone ever get a chance to see this? Some have. You might. Do it if you can.

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.