The Satan Bug (1965)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

John Sturges

Writers:

Alistair MacLean (novel)
James Clavell (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

26 March 1965 (West Germany)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

The price for uncovering the secret of the satan bug comes high - YOUR LIFE!

Plot:

A germ warfare lab has had an accident. The first theory is that one of the nasty germs has gotten free and killed several scientists...

Plot Keywords:

Race Against Time | Biochemical Weapons Research | Robbery | Porton Down | Beautiful Woman

Cast

George Maharis	...	Lee Barrett
Richard Basehart	...	Dr. Gregor Hoffman
Anne Francis	...	Ann Williams
Dana Andrews	...	Gen. Williams
John Larkin	...	Dr. Leonard Michaelson
Richard Bull	...	Eric Cavanaugh
Frank Sutton	...	Donald
Edward Asner	...	Veretti
Simon Oakland	...	Tasserly
John Anderson	...	Agent Reagan
John Clarke	...	Lt. Raskin
Hari Rhodes	...	Lt. Johnson
Martin Blaine	...	Henchman Posing as Henry Martin
Henry Beckman	...	Dr. Baxter
Harry Lauter	...	Fake SDI Agent

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:12 (f) | UK:PG | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved | Norway:16 | Spain:18

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Mirisch Corporation, The

Trivia:

In his memoirs, Charlton Heston says he was asked to play the lead.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the climax, some long shots of the helicopter show the right side's door missing before the fight between Barrett and the pilot knocks it off.

Quotes:

Lee Barrett: He's floating at the bottom of the pool.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Venomous (2001) (V)

A manhunt for the invisible.

In 1965 the world was worried about the danger of nuclear war. When "The Satan Bug" was released a new and even more terrifying prospect was revealed, biological warfare. Chemical warfare was known from World War I but the idea of a biological weapon was relatively unknown until this film was released. The film is basically a manhunt for two things. A scientist who has disappeared from a biological warfare station and for something invisible, the biological weapon he has developed called the Satan Bug. With crisp no nonsense direction and a script to match the film moves along at a good clip as various persons hunt down the visible man and invisible germ before it can be released in Los Angeles. A pretty good cast of well known actors of the 1960's as well as a few good character actors all turn in good performances.Sturgess' direction is often edge of your seat but it is worth the ride. Very fine score from Jerry Goldsmith (especially over the opening credits) that gives a hint at his later work for "Planet of the Apes"adds to that edgy feeling.