Phase IV (film)
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Phase IV |
| Original title | Phase IV |
| Country of production | United Kingdom , United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1974 |
| length | 84 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Saul Bass |
| script | Mayo Simon |
| production | Paul B. Radin |
| music | Brian Gascoigne |
| camera |
Dick Bush , Ken Middleham |
| cut | Willy Kemplen |
| occupation | |
| |
Phase IV (alternate title Phase 4 ) is a British - American science fiction film from 1974 . It is the only feature film directed by Saul Bass , who is better known for his distinctive opening credits, as well as some short films .
action
On a remote plateau in Arizona a terrifying change is taking place in the world of ants : Due to cosmic phenomena, the individual peoples stop fighting, multiply at breakneck speed, build oversized towers and threaten human and animal life. While the farmers leave their land in a panic, the biologist Hubbs and the communication researcher Lesko set up an experimental laboratory to study the changed behavior of the ants. After a few experiments, they realize that the insects are apparently controlled by an intelligence. In addition, they adapt to the poisons spread and take tactical action against the scientists. Whatever they do, they follow the laws of logic.
When the last farming family tries to leave the area and is killed in the process, Hubbs and Lesko take care of their granddaughter Kendra, who negligently fails another attempt to get hold of the ants and sets the laboratory animals free. The ants outside the experimental station are now using a tactic that proves that they can think abstractly: They erect large mirrors that reflect the sunlight and threaten to destroy the station with concentrated heat. Lesko and Hubbs destroy the mirrors with sound waves . The ants then paralyze the station's air conditioning .
When Lesko succeeds in establishing some form of communication with the besiegers , he learns that the ants are demanding a sacrifice. Kendra is convinced that only she can be meant and secretly leaves the station. When Hubbs makes a desperate attempt to eliminate the queen ant, he falls into a pitfall and thus falls victim to the besiegers. Lesko, who then wants to finish his colleague's attempt, enters the Queen's den through an underground tunnel, where he finds Kendra again. He realizes that he and the girl are the sacrifice the ants have asked for. The insects have a plan to help them with, which may be to subdue the earth.
Alternative ending
In 2012, the film was re-released in Los Angeles with an alternate ending. This surreal four-minute sequence was cut out of the film by Paramount in 1974 after negative reactions at test screenings and shows how Lesko and Kendra try in vain to escape from the ants via pyramid-like structures.
Premieres
- United States in September 1974
- United Kingdom 17th October 1974
- Germany January 27th 1977
criticism
“ Saul Bass , who has mainly built a reputation for himself as the opening credits director for various Alfred Hitchcock films, has produced an impressive work with his only feature film. He makes the fantastic story understandable by introducing a style from the outset that filmically alienates real processes and reduces them to simple basic patterns. Bass makes use of all conceivable technical means, from extreme focal lengths and time lapses to striking creations in the trick studio. Again and again he converts everyday nature and landscape shots into apocalyptic stimulus images. "
Web links
- Phase IV in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Phase IV at Filmzentrale.com
Individual evidence
- ↑ Phase 4. In: imdb.com. Internet Movie Database , accessed February 22, 2018 .