The Deadly Bees (1966)

Trouble strikes when an exhausted pop singer, sent on a vacation to a farm, realizes that the farm's owner grows deadly bees.

Director:

Freddie Francis

Writers:

Robert Bloch (screenplay), Anthony Marriott (screenplay)

Stars:

Suzanna Leigh, Frank Finlay, Guy Doleman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Suzanna Leigh	...	Vicki Robbins
Frank Finlay	...	H.W. Manfred
Guy Doleman	...	Ralph Hargrove
Catherine Finn	...	Mary Hargrove
John Harvey	...	Thompson
Michael Ripper	...	David Hawkins
Anthony Bailey	...	Compere
Tim Barrett	...	Harcourt
James Cossins	...	Coroner
Frank Forsyth	...	Doctor
Katy Wild	...	Doris Hawkins
Greta Farrer	...	Sister
Gina Gianelli	...	Secretary
Michael Gwynn	...	Dr. George Lang
Maurice Good	...	Agent

Storyline

Pop singer Vicki Robbins collapses from exhaustion while shooting the 1960's equivalent of a music video, and her physician prescribes a respite on Seagull Island with colleague and bee-keeper, Ralph Hargrove. Vicki finds the Hargroves' bitter marital strife oddly relaxing. But when a mysterious swarm of specially bred attack bees starts killing island residents, Vicki fights for her survival, setting fire to nearly half the structures on the island in her escape.

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Plot Keywords:

singer | bee | island | dog | fire | 

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Taglines:

Hives of horror! - Excited by the smell of fear, they inflict their fatal stings!

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 April 1967 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

A Picada Mortal

Filming Locations:

Twickenham Film Studios, St Margarets, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amicus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The special effects for the bee attack sequences were quite simple. Often footage of swarming bees would be superimposed over footage of the actors and fake plastic bees would be glued to the actors. Some shots of swarming "bees" was actually footage of coffee grounds, floating and swirling in water tanks, that was superimposed over landscape footage.

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Goofs

When Doris is chased through the woods by the bees, it is a grey overcast day, yet the close up shots of the hovering swarm feature a bright blue sky without a cloud in sight

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Quotes

Mary Hargrove: The dog's meat, have you seen it?

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Connections

Referenced in Mamas Rendezvous mit einem Vampir (2000)

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Soundtracks

It's Not What I Need You For
Sung by The Birds

User Reviews

Will Cause an Allergic Reaction!

A "rock" singer has a nervous breakdown and is sent on a short vacation to regain her senses (and hopefully find some talent.) My first question is why in the world would someone go to that horrible farm for a rest cure? Not only is the place dark, damp, gray, unpleasant and lifeless, but so are the people that own it. And what is with the owner, played by Guy Dolman? He has this attitude about something but we are never sure what.....maybe it's his wife, maybe it's his farm or maybe it's because he is stuck in this film with no way out. If I were Suzanna Leigh, I would have left about 5 minutes after I got there......but of course, she seems to be about as smart as a bushel of dead birds.....and if she left, then there wouldn't be a story. But there isn't much of a story to begin with, so it's a moot point. Special effects?....get a grip. Suspense.......no way. Surprises.....not! The ending is telegraphed about halfway into the film and before we actually see the "deadly(?) bees. The only plot point that gets a reaction from the viewer is the death of the pet dog and that's just a cheap shot. In other words, avoid this film like the plague, unless it is on MST3K....then it's worth it. Frankly, it's depressing and boring and I felt sorry for the bees! And by the way, who in the hell is the man walking toward the camera as the end credits roll? Is it suggesting a sequel entitled "The Deadly Boredom"?