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IMDbPro

The Satan Bug

  • 19651965
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
The Satan Bug (1965)
A germ that could destroy life on Earth is stolen from a biological warfare lab and the thief threatens to release it into the open, prompting a security officer to act.
Play trailer2:11
1 Video
23 Photos
  • Crime
  • Mystery
  • Sci-Fi
A germ that could destroy life on Earth is stolen from a biological warfare lab and the thief threatens to release it into the open, prompting a security officer to act.A germ that could destroy life on Earth is stolen from a biological warfare lab and the thief threatens to release it into the open, prompting a security officer to act.A germ that could destroy life on Earth is stolen from a biological warfare lab and the thief threatens to release it into the open, prompting a security officer to act.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Sturges
  • Writers
    • Alistair MacLean(novel)
    • James Clavell(screenplay)
    • Edward Anhalt(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • George Maharis
    • Richard Basehart
    • Anne Francis
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Sturges
  • Writers
    • Alistair MacLean(novel)
    • James Clavell(screenplay)
    • Edward Anhalt(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • George Maharis
    • Richard Basehart
    • Anne Francis
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 57User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:11
    Trailer

    Photos23

    The Satan Bug (1965)
    Richard Basehart and George Maharis in The Satan Bug (1965)
    George Maharis in The Satan Bug (1965)
    Dana Andrews and Anne Francis in The Satan Bug (1965)
    Dana Andrews in The Satan Bug (1965)
    George Maharis in The Satan Bug (1965)
    George Maharis in The Satan Bug (1965)
    Richard Basehart and George Maharis in The Satan Bug (1965)
    George Maharis in The Satan Bug (1965)
    Richard Basehart in The Satan Bug (1965)
    Anne Francis and George Maharis in The Satan Bug (1965)
    George Maharis in The Satan Bug (1965)

    Top cast

    Edit
    George Maharis
    George Maharis
    • Lee Barrettas Lee Barrett
    Richard Basehart
    Richard Basehart
    • Dr. Gregor Hoffmanas Dr. Gregor Hoffman
    Anne Francis
    Anne Francis
    • Ann Williamsas Ann Williams
    Dana Andrews
    Dana Andrews
    • Gen. Williamsas Gen. Williams
    John Larkin
    John Larkin
    • Dr. Leonard Michaelsonas Dr. Leonard Michaelson
    Richard Bull
    Richard Bull
    • Eric Cavanaughas Eric Cavanaugh
    Frank Sutton
    Frank Sutton
    • Donaldas Donald
    Edward Asner
    Edward Asner
    • Verettias Veretti
    • (as Ed Asner)
    Simon Oakland
    Simon Oakland
    • Tasserlyas Tasserly
    John Anderson
    John Anderson
    • Agent Reaganas Agent Reagan
    John Clarke
    John Clarke
    • Lt. Raskinas Lt. Raskin
    Hari Rhodes
    Hari Rhodes
    • Lt. Johnsonas Lt. Johnson
    Martin Blaine
    Martin Blaine
    • Martinas Martin
    Henry Beckman
    Henry Beckman
    • Dr. Baxteras Dr. Baxter
    Harry Lauter
    Harry Lauter
    • Fake SDI Agentas Fake SDI Agent
    James Hong
    James Hong
    • Dr. Yangas Dr. Yang
    Tol Avery
    Tol Avery
    • Police Captain at Dodger Stadiumas Police Captain at Dodger Stadium
    • (uncredited)
    Michael Barrier
    • Helicopter Pilotas Helicopter Pilot
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Sturges
    • Writers
      • Alistair MacLean(novel)
      • James Clavell(screenplay)
      • Edward Anhalt(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the scene in the jazz club where Lee Barrett is introduced, the waitress that tells him he has a phone call is played by Lee Remick in an uncredited cameo role.
    • Goofs
      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.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Venomous (2001)

    User reviews57

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    a favorite flawed film
    I have watched this film several times, and never find it boring. That this film was not a hit at the time of release, and was not able to make a movie star out of George Maharis, shows that either the studio did not know how to market it at the time, or that a movie, even with all the right ingredients, will not become a hit movie, if people don't go and see it.

    I do see some problems with the screenplay however, in that things see to happen in the film, that just pop up from nowhere. A mans car getting stuck that we the audience are not entirely clued in on, two agents just coming on the screen at a particular time, what where the motivations for this to happen is not explained, and a dead body, that without the use of a DVD player or DVR that we can view the movie on Turner Classic Movies, and look back on, might make us wonder who this dead body is.

    The Maharis character is the most interesting of the lot, he is a man who is at odds with his government throughout his life, and he is a character in films ahead of his time. We didn't get to see people like this in movies before. He is a man who it is emphasized at the beginning of the film to be a rebel, but knows the difference between wrong and right. When his country needs him as he shows in this film he will be there for the correct cause. His last line in this film, is a telling one, I'm paraphrasing it here, but it goes something like this "Will start over again." This film, makes one ask the question, how could any country sanction a sight that could create something so deadly, and which might, as we learn towards the end, might destroy life on earth? At the same time, while the film I think questions this, it does at least give us some comfort that our government agencies fighting terror might be able to stop it as shown by agents, beside Maharis, as being capable of stopping mad men through their hard work.

    A great supporting cast helps the film as well, Richard Basehart is outstanding, and I just realized that Frank Sutton, (Sargent Carter) of GOMER PYLE fame, is one of the villains, and what a different role it is.

    John Sturges in his direction, shows a man who knew how to direct an action film, and an entertaining one to boot. The film was also ahead of its time, in warning us that we had more to fear than just a hydrogen bomb, as that fear of the bomb I believe was coming to an end at the time. A flawed, but entertaining film, that still holds up some forty years latter.
    helpful•11
    0
    • kuciak
    • Mar 30, 2008

    FAQ10

    • What is 'The Satan Bug' about?
    • Is "The Satan Bug" based on a book?
    • What is the Satan Bug?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 26, 1965 (West Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Geheimagent Barrett greift ein
    • Filming locations
      • Dodger Stadium - 1000 Vin Scully Avenue, Chavez Ravine, Elysian Park, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • The Mirisch Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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