Phase IV (1974)
April 11, 2025 1:31 PM - Subscribe
[TRAILER] Acclaimed graphic designer Saul Bass (known for, among other things designing the logos for AT&T, Quaker Oats, and United Airlines and creating the title sequences for several Alfred Hitchcock films) directed this sci-fi yarn about a cosmic event that speeds up the evolution of ants, putting ants and mankind on a collision course.
Starring Nigel Davenport, Michael Murphy, Lynne Frederick, Alan Gifford, Robert Henderson, Helen Horton, David Healy.
Directed by Saul Bass. Written by Mayo Simon. Produced by Paul Radin. Cinematography by (and hand to god this is his real name) Dick Bush. Edited by Willy Kemplen. Music by Brian Gascoigne.
50% fresh on rRotten Tomatoes. Holds a much stronger 3.5.5 on Letterboxd.
Currently streaming free in the US on Kanopy. Find streaming options for your locale/services on the film's JustWatch listing.
Starring Nigel Davenport, Michael Murphy, Lynne Frederick, Alan Gifford, Robert Henderson, Helen Horton, David Healy.
Directed by Saul Bass. Written by Mayo Simon. Produced by Paul Radin. Cinematography by (and hand to god this is his real name) Dick Bush. Edited by Willy Kemplen. Music by Brian Gascoigne.
50% fresh on rRotten Tomatoes. Holds a much stronger 3.5.5 on Letterboxd.
Currently streaming free in the US on Kanopy. Find streaming options for your locale/services on the film's JustWatch listing.
I remember it being sterile and sinister. Peak 70s hard science fiction.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 7:53 PM on April 11 [2 favorites]
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 7:53 PM on April 11 [2 favorites]
This was a great "cheesy summer afternoon movie on TV" watch. I too am ready to join the colony.
posted by rikschell at 4:38 AM on April 12
posted by rikschell at 4:38 AM on April 12
The extended ending is almost worth a stand alone watch in itself. I haven't been able to find a full intact copy of the movie with it included, but it can be viewed here.
I consider it one of the best scifi movies of the 70s. Bass was out there, and the production was pretty adventurous. Seems to have been pretty influential on Panos Cosmatos
posted by 2N2222 at 8:06 AM on April 12 [3 favorites]
I consider it one of the best scifi movies of the 70s. Bass was out there, and the production was pretty adventurous. Seems to have been pretty influential on Panos Cosmatos
posted by 2N2222 at 8:06 AM on April 12 [3 favorites]
This was a great "cheesy summer afternoon movie on TV" watch.
It sounded like this on May 12th 1979 when I saw it. (There's an obsessive fan page for the Saturday morning horror flicks that KPHO ran for decades.) Anyway this film really freaked me out back then.
posted by Catblack at 6:00 AM on April 13 [1 favorite]
It sounded like this on May 12th 1979 when I saw it. (There's an obsessive fan page for the Saturday morning horror flicks that KPHO ran for decades.) Anyway this film really freaked me out back then.
posted by Catblack at 6:00 AM on April 13 [1 favorite]
I for one welcome our new insect overlords. I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground sugar caves.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:12 AM on April 15 [1 favorite]
posted by kirkaracha at 11:12 AM on April 15 [1 favorite]
This movie is a great example of why I don't really vibe with MST3K. They watch this and think, Lol, weird and outside of my frame of reference. Bury it in jokes!
I really feel sometimes like that while franchise/subculture is--whether they intend it to be or not--an exercise in enforcing conformity. Mock the outliers!
No, this isn't like any other movie. I consider that a positive thing. I wish Bass had made more films.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:49 AM on April 20
I really feel sometimes like that while franchise/subculture is--whether they intend it to be or not--an exercise in enforcing conformity. Mock the outliers!
No, this isn't like any other movie. I consider that a positive thing. I wish Bass had made more films.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:49 AM on April 20
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Spoiler
Nice twist at the end, when the last two survivors give up and become part of the colony.
posted by KaizenSoze at 5:16 PM on April 11 [1 favorite]