"When the effect came, it was almost unnoticed because it happened to such a small insignificant form of life."
Mildly creepy, absent any other context. A little digging found the source, a film called Phase IV about a takeover by ants -- but not the giant mutant radioactive kind (oh *Them*), regular-sized ants that -- for reasons never really made clear -- start acting in a distinctly un-ant-like way.
"Phase IV" is the only feature film by Saul Bass, otherwise known (or unknown) as a title designer. It was given the MST3K treatment, which I haven't seen, and -- no disrespect to Mike, Joel and the Bots I think I might just prefer to leave it that way. There's something about this film. . .
I literally* flew out the door when I heard it was playing at The Castro Theatre (cue Wurlitzer), and to my delight it's been released on DVD. I don't think I could really do the film justice, so I'll just throw links at the problem and hope that one or more of them will stick and interest you in seeking out this film for yourself:
- Not Coming To A Theater Near You (review)
- Dot Dot #11 (via Google Books)
With excerpts from screenplay - SF360 Profile on Saul Bass (director)
- GoofButton ( many stills)
First, the Bees and Wasps. And now the ants. For my next trick, I will turn into a giant centipede.
*not literally
I managed to watch it all on YouTube. The quality was low, but now was a good time for me.
ReplyDelete"Now I know how a rat feels in a maze."
"We knew then, we were being changed and made part of their world. We didn't know for what purpose, but we knew we would be told."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynne_Frederick who plays Kendra was Peter Sellers last wife and it triggered her destruction.
Fallout 3's Lesko reference, as mention on Twitter, was really quiet good. The NPC was a post-apocalyptic ant researcher in one of the first quests you do. You get his lab coat as a reward. It grants +10 science skill (very handy).
There's a "dark night of the soul" quality to much of the 70s from my point of view. In the 50s and early 60s, our culture seemed slick and confident (ala Mad Men, perhaps). Then we faltered in the late 60s (Vietnam; tune in, turn on, drop out) and entered a period of self-doubt. The period clearly ended in the 80s under Reagan. But, the 70s are filled with many gems like this. There's more of an edge to them, a "we've lost our way" quality.
Anyway, I had not heard of this movie and watching it was a nice way to spend a Saturday morning. Thanks.
I'm glad you enjoyed it; and I know what you mean (I think) about the Seventies -- I grew up during that time [only just] so it left a mark on me (duh); in a lot of ways of course but in particular in the movies and TV of the time.
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