Phase IV

"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."

―James R. Lesko

Phase IV
Credits
Title:	Phase IV
Director:	Saul Bass
Writers:	Mayo Simon Barry N. Malzberg
Producers:	Paul B. Radin
Composer:	Brian Gascoigne
Cinematography:	Dick Bush
Editors:	Willy Kemplen
Production
Distributed by:	Paramount Pictures
Released:	September, 1974
Rating:	PG
Running time:	93 min.
Country:	USA
Language:	English
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Phase IV is an American feature film of the science fiction and horror genres. It was directed by Saul Bass with a script written by Mayo Simon. It was produced by Alced Productions and Paramount Pictures and released theatrically in the United States in September, 1974. A novelization of the movie was written by screenwriter Barry N. Malzberg in 1974. The movie stars Michael Murphy as Doctor James R. Lesko, Nigel Davenport as Doctor Ernest D. Hubbs, Lynne Frederick as Kendra Eldridge, Alan Gifford as Mister Eldridge, Robert Henderson as Clete and Helen Horton as Mildred Eldridge.

The premise of the film revolves around a horde of highly-evolved mutant ants that begin establishing large colonies throughout the desert of Arizona. A team of research scientists led by James R. Lesko and Ernest D. Hubbs pool their respective talents in an effort to survive the growing swarm of deadly insects.

Cast

Actor	Role
Michael Murphy	James R. Lesko
Nigel Davenport	Doctor Ernest D. Hubbs
Lynne Frederick	Kendra Eldridge
Alan Gifford	Mister Eldridge
Robert Henderson	Clete
Helen Horton	Mildred Eldridge

Notes & Trivia

• Alternatively known as Phase Four.

• The tagline for this film is, "When you can't scream anymore!"

• Phase IV was released to DVD by Legend Films on October 1st, 2008.

• Despite it's title, Phase IV is not part of a series.

• Filmed at Pinewood Studios in England.

• The final cut of the film was changed in post-production, against the wishes of director Saul Bass.

• Director Saul Bass also designed the title sequence for the film Alien. Phase IV actress Helen Horton provided the voice for the "Mother" computer in Alien.

• Actor Alan Gifford also had bit roles in the "The Duplicate Man" episode of The Outer Limits and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

• The Turner Classic Movies print of Phase IV trimmed nine minutes of footage from the film; total running time 84 min.

• In the French release of Phase IV, the scene where a scientist is eaten alive by a horde of ants is cut out.

• Although Saul Bass is known primarily for designing title cards and film logos, Phase IV does not have an opening title design. The title of the film is not presented until the end credits.

• Close inspection of the ant queens in this film reveals that they are actually wasps.

Recommendations

1970s Sci-Fi

Alien Battle for the Planet of the Apes Colossus: The Forbin Project Cremators, The Futureworld Genesis II

Octaman Star Trek: The Motion Picture Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Terror of Mechagodzilla Time After Time Westworld

External Links

Phase IV at AMG Phase IV at IMDB Phase IV at Wikipedia

Phase IV at Themoviedb.org Phase IV at Themoviedb.org Phase IV at Rotten Tomatoes

Keywords

1970s; Arizona; Clete; Cows; Dead animals; Doctor; Ernest D. Hubbs; Evolution; Insects; Kendra Eldridge; Mildred Eldridge; Mister Eldridge; James R. Lesko; Paradise City; Scientist; Smoking; Zoology