Phase IV
- Nigel Davenport: Ernest D. Hubbs
- Michael Murphy: James R. Lesko
- Lynne Frederick: Kendra Eldridge
- Alan Gifford: Mr. Eldridge
- Helen Horton: Mildred Eldridge
- Robert Henderson: Clete
Phase IV is an American science fiction film from 1974, a free interpretation of the short story Empire of the Ants by HG Wells.
Action
On a remote Plateau in Arizona takes place in the ant world a terrifying change: Due to astronomical phenomena represent the individual peoples of their struggle to trade, multiply rapidly, build oversized towers and threaten human and animal life. While the farmers leave their land in a panic, the biologist Hubbs and Lesko communication researchers set up a laboratory to explore the changed behavior of the ants. After some experimentation, they realize that the insects are apparently controlled by an intelligence. They also adapt to disseminated poisons and go tactically against the scientists before. Whatever they do, they follow the laws of logic.
When the last farm family wants to leave the area and thereby perish, Hubbs and Lesko take to her granddaughter Kendra, which can fail another attempt to get at the ants from negligence and laboratory animals releases. The ants outside the experimental station are now applying a tactic that proves that they can think abstractly: You build large mirrors that reflect sunlight and threaten to destroy the station with concentrated heat. Lesko and Hubbs destroy the mirror by sound waves. Then the ants paralyze the air conditioning system of the station.
When it succeeds Lesko, take a form of communication with the besiegers, he learns that the ants require a sacrifice. Kendra is convinced that only they can be meant and secretly left the station. As Hubbs desperate attempt undertakes to eliminate the ant queen, he falls into a pitfall and thus the besiegers to the victim. Lesko, who wants to then carry it out to the end of his colleague, penetrates through an underground tunnel in the construction of the Queen, where he finds Kendra. He realizes that he and the girl are the victim, after the ants have requested. The insects follow a plan in which they are to help them, and possibly it is to subdue the earth.
Criticism
" Saul Bass, who has primarily created by a reputation that he was a leader - director of various Alfred Hitchcock films, has published an impressive body of work with his only feature film. He makes the fantastic story understandable by introducing a style from the outset, the real processes cinematic alienated and reduced to simple basic pattern. Here, Bass any conceivable technical means, ranging from extreme focal lengths and time lapse to striking creations in animation studio operated. Again and again he uses everyday nature and landscape photography in apocalyptic images to appeal. "