Phase IV

Phase IV is an American science fiction film, made in 1974. It is the only feature-length film directed by the noted title designer Saul Bass. It starred Nigel Davenport, Michael Murphy, Lynne Frederick and Helen Horton (who would later provide the voice of "Mother" in Alien). The film bears some similarity to an earlier film, The Hellstrom Chronicle. Both feature extensive use of close-up photography of actual insects. Due to some unknown cosmic... more

Phase IV is an American science fiction film, made in 1974. It is the only feature-length film directed by the noted title designer Saul Bass. It starred Nigel Davenport, Michael Murphy, Lynne Frederick and Helen Horton (who would later provide the voice of "Mother" in Alien). The film bears some similarity to an earlier film, The Hellstrom Chronicle. Both feature extensive use of close-up photography of actual insects. Due to some unknown cosmic event, listed in "phases," ants have undergone rapid evolution and developed a hive mind. A scientific team then begins investigating strange towers and geometrically perfect designs which the ants have started building in the desert. The ant colony and the scientific team, along with a rural family, make war with each other, with the ants making the more effective aggressors. The narrative uses the scientific team as the main protagonists, but also an ant "heroine" going about her duties in the colony. The film concludes with the last of the... less