Complete credited cast: | |||
James Whitmore | ... | Sgt. Ben Peterson | |
Edmund Gwenn | ... | Dr. Harold Medford | |
Joan Weldon | ... | Dr. Patricia Medford | |
James Arness | ... | Robert Graham | |
Onslow Stevens | ... | Brig. Gen. Robert O'Brien | |
Sean McClory | ... | Maj. Kibbee | |
Christian Drake | ... | Trooper Ed Blackburn (as Chris Drake) | |
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) |
In the New Mexico desert, Police Sgt. Ben Peterson and his partner find a child wandering in the desert and sooner they discover that giant ants are attacking the locals. FBI agent Robert Graham teams up with Ben and with the support of Dr. Harold Medford and his daughter Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford, they destroy the colony of ants in the middle of the desert. Dr. Harold Medford explains that the atomic testing in 1945 developed the dangerous mutant ants. But they also discover that two queen ants have flown away to Los Angeles and they are starting a huge colony in the underground of the city. When a mother reports that her two children are missing, the team and the army have a lead to follow. Will they arrive in time to save the children and destroy the colony? Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Probably the best of the 50's mutated insects/animals/humans films. One of the reasons is that the acting is superb. In this film, the entire cast is absolutely top notch, led by James Whitmore as the policeman with a BIG problem. Of course, Edmund Gwenn is terrific as the lead scientist......always delightful in any part, he handles his role with a bit of humor in the midst of death and destruction. Even the smaller parts are handled well. Sandy Descher as the traumatized child is very affecting and is the first to say "Them" in reference to the giant ants. The special effects are not bad for a 50's film....... in fact pretty good for a 50's film. The script is literate and you can almost believe the premise of radiated mutated ants. Regardless of whether you believe it or not, this is a film that everybody who loves 50's sci fi movies should see. You might develop a fear of ants after this one!!!