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The Swarm (1978)

PG 116 min  -  Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller  -   14 July 1978 (USA)
4.1
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Ratings: 4.1/10 from 3,181 users  
Reviews: 93 user | 48 critic

A huge swarm of deadly African bees spreads terror over American cities by killing thousands of people.

Director:

Irwin Allen

Writers:

Arthur Herzog Jr. (novel), Stirling Silliphant (screenplay)
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Caine ...
Brad Crane
Katharine Ross ...
Helena
Richard Widmark ...
Gen. Slater
Richard Chamberlain ...
Dr. Hubbard
Olivia de Havilland ...
Maureen Schuester
Ben Johnson ...
Felix
Lee Grant ...
Anne MacGregor
José Ferrer ...
Dr. Andrews (as Jose Ferrer)
Patty Duke ...
Rita (as Patty Duke Astin)
Slim Pickens ...
Jud Hawkins
Bradford Dillman Bradford Dillman ...
Major Baker
Fred MacMurray ...
Clarence
Henry Fonda ...
Dr. Krim
Cameron Mitchell Cameron Mitchell ...
General Thompson
Christian Juttner Christian Juttner ...
Paul Durant
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Storyline

Killer bees from South America have been breeding with the gentler bees of more northern climes, slowly extending their territory northward decade after decade. Entomologist Brad Crane has discovered that something is making them come together in huge, killer swarms. He wants to keep the General Slater from using military tactics from further upsetting the balance of nature as they join to try to stop the swarms from approaching Houston. Written by Ørnås  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Swarm | Bee | Military | Killer Bee | Scientist  | See more »

Taglines:

This is more than a movie. It's a prediction! See more »

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Der tödliche Schwarm See more »

Filming Locations:

Houston, Texas, USA See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$21,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$10,000,000 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros. Pictures See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

 | USA: (extended version)

Sound Mix:

Mono (35 mm optical prints) | 4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Managing the bees was a huge challenge on this film. The production went through several bee keepers before finding one who solved the problem by hiring people to clip the stingers off of the bees. This was accomplished in a refrigerated trailer, as bees are incapacitated by freezing temperatures. This operation, which went on all summer, made the bees safer for use around the cast and crew, although a few stingers were missed. But, as it turned out, some lingering venom got into the air on the sound stages and produced some allergic reactions. In addition, everyone had little yellow dots on their clothing - bee poop, probably. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: Helena says they saw dead bee-covered soldiers outside, but no dead soldiers were in evidence earlier when the recon team enter the missile base. See more »

Quotes

Dr. Krim: They're more virulent than the Australian Brown-Box Jellyfish!
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Crazy Credits

The African killer bee portrayed in this film bears absolutely no
relationship to the industrious, hard-working, American honey bee to which
we are indebted for pollinating vital crops that feed our nation. See more »

Connections

Referenced in "Mork & Mindy: Mork's Best Friend (#1.24)" (1979) See more »