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Them! (1954)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
19 June 1954 (USA)
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Tagline:
The Amazing New Warner Bros. Sensation! more
Plot:
The earliest atomic tests in New Mexico cause common ants to mutate into giant man-eating monsters that threaten civilization. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 1 win
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NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
‘Star Trek’ Writers Reveal Their Most Controversial Script Decisions And Why They Made Them
(From MTV Movies Blog. 14 May 2009, 9:00 AM, PDT)
James Whitmore, 'Shawshank' Librarian, Dies at 87
(From Cinematical. 7 February 2009, 8:02 AM, PST)
(From MTV Movies Blog. 14 May 2009, 9:00 AM, PDT)
James Whitmore, 'Shawshank' Librarian, Dies at 87
(From Cinematical. 7 February 2009, 8:02 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Sci-fi Classic
more (163 total)
Cast
(Complete credited cast)| James Whitmore | ... | Police Sgt. Ben Peterson | |
| Edmund Gwenn | ... | Dr. Harold Medford | |
| Joan Weldon | ... | Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford | |
| James Arness | ... | Robert Graham | |
| Onslow Stevens | ... | Brig. Gen. Robert O'Brien | |
| Sean McClory | ... | Maj. Kibbee | |
| Chris Drake | ... | Trooper Ed Blackburn | |
| Sandy Descher | ... | The Ellinson Girl | |
| Mary Alan Hokanson | ... | Mrs. Lodge (as Mary Ann Hokanson) | |
| Don Shelton | ... | Trooper Capt. Fred Edwards | |
| Fess Parker | ... | Alan Crotty | |
| Olin Howland | ... | Jensen (as Olin Howlin) | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Marshall Bradford | ... | Psychiatrist (scenes deleted) | |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Them (USA) (poster title)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
94 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.75 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
Norway:16 (1954) |
West Germany:16 (nf) |
Australia:PG |
Canada:PG |
Finland:K-12 |
Sweden:11 (1969) |
UK:PG |
USA:Approved (PCA #16752, General Audience)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
It was also supposed to be in 3-D. Some elements of the 3-D effects, such as the ants having extreme close-ups and the flame throwers shooting straight into the camera, were used in the film.
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Goofs:
Factual errors: In the opening scenes which take place in the New Mexico desert (somewhat essential to the premise of the story), there are some beautiful specimens of Joshua trees. They don't grow in New Mexico.
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Quotes:
Dr. Harold Medford:
None of the ants previously seen by man were more than an inch in length - most considerably under that size. But even the most minute of them have an instinct and talent for industry, social organization, and savagery that makes man look feeble by comparison.
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (163 total)
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If I were to write a review something along the lines of: "Them! is awesome because it depicts giant irradiated ants, and giant irradiated ants are cool", I'd probably be shot. Either way, 'Them!' is a great movie.
'Them!, to my knowledge, would be one of the earliest sci-fi movies to look at the consequences of nuclear technology. 'The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms' was released a year earlier in 1953, and 'Gojira' was released months after 'Them!', and arguably became the most successful of the three, but don't discount the impact 'Them!' had.
The film opens in New Mexico. Several people seem to bitten the desert dust when some police officers find the prototype for Newt from 'Aliens'. After an investigation, a nest of giant ants is discovered. The ants were mutated by atomic testing, and are responsible for the local deaths.
Like the 'Beast From 20,000 Fathoms' and 'Gojira', 'Them!' played on Cold War fears of the consequences of using nuclear weapons. The story may not be as relevant today as it was during the 50s, but as a student of history I find it rather interesting. And as a fan of action and sci-fi, 'Them!' has obviously had influences on 'Aliens', 'Starship Troopers', 'Terminator 2', and other movies.
'Them!' is a great sci-fi movie. It is a shame that many people my age would avoid it due to its age, it being in black and white, and not having special-effects on the level of the 'Matrix' - 9/10