This 1974 sci fi oddity has not been available in the DVD format until this year. Phase IV was directed by Saul Bass, best known as Academy Award winning title creator for such famous movies as Psycho, North By Northwest, and The Man With the Golden Arm. Unlike the big-budget movies he did titles for, Saul Bass' Phase IV is a small-budget, high-minded story of super-intelligent ants. Think 2001 meets Them.
Phase IV features lots of excellent micro-cinematography of actual ants as well as some impressively trippy set designs. The threat of ants in Phase IV concerns an unusual cosmic event that results in ants forming a sort of collective that is a threat to man. Ants begin to build monolithic nests that exhibit obvious signs of intelligence.
Much of the movie involves two scientists studying the strange ant goings-on from their properly futuristic study facility. Events quickly get out of control as the ants adapt to any and all threats, eventually turning the scientists into the subjects of THEIR study. (cue dramatic music). Anyway, by this movie's end, things become as trippy as only an early 70's movie can get. For anyone who likes their sci-fi full of scientific double-speak, cool photography, and crazy scientists.... this one's for you.
Much of the movie involves two scientists studying the strange ant goings-on from their properly futuristic study facility. Events quickly get out of control as the ants adapt to any and all threats, eventually turning the scientists into the subjects of THEIR study. (cue dramatic music). Anyway, by this movie's end, things become as trippy as only an early 70's movie can get. For anyone who likes their sci-fi full of scientific double-speak, cool photography, and crazy scientists.... this one's for you.
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