Phase IV (Phase Four) (1974)

83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(953 ratings)

Saul Bass had a fascinating career as an animator and as designer of title sequences for a number of notable films, including Psycho, Vertigo, Anatomy Of A Murder and Seconds. However, Phase IV was his only credit as director of a feature film. A visually inventive science-fiction story, Phase IV… More Saul Bass had a fascinating career as an animator and as designer of title sequences for a number of notable films, including Psycho, Vertigo, Anatomy Of A Murder and Seconds. However, Phase IV was his only credit as director of a feature film. A visually inventive science-fiction story, Phase IV concerns a group of research scientists working in the Arizona desert who find themselves confronted by an Army of super-intelligent mutant ants. The results are more intelligent than the description would lead you to believe, and Nigel Davenport and Michael Murphy turn in good performances as the embattled men of science. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Saul Bass
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Sep 1, 1974 Wide
On DVD: Jun 3, 2008

Critic Reviews

Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Should forever dispel anyone's image of ants as little black dots
David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
A killer bug flick upgraded for the downbeat 70s, a small scale B-picture reworked for the post-2001 hard sci-fi set.
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
With its amazing bug footage, and psychobabble scripting, it's The Hellstrom Chronicle (an obvious influence) taken into Twilight Zone territory

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

How did Saul Bass not direct more films? This little gem from 1974 is AWESOMELY shot. Did I mention the cinematographers name was Dick Bush? So much amazing cutaway and macro work. That combined with tight editing makes Phase IV is the 2001 of "we're being attacked… More
How did Saul Bass not direct more films? This little gem from 1974 is AWESOMELY shot. Did I mention the cinematographers name was Dick Bush? So much amazing cutaway and macro work. That combined with tight editing makes Phase IV is the 2001 of "we're being attacked ants!" movies. Now I know what your saying, "Saul Bass, the title sequence goto guy for Hitchcock and Scorsese? Made a movie about being attacked by ants? This has to be a joke. I mean Dick Bush? Yes, THAT Saul Bass made a really intelligent film about a colony of intelligent ants and it's very much worth checking out.
Christopher B

Saul Bass kicks ass! After making many memorable opening credit sequences Bass finally makes his directorial debut. Artistic, gorgeous and disturbing, I'm surprised this isn't at least considered a horror classic let alone a movie classic. Sadly this was Bass' only… More
Saul Bass kicks ass! After making many memorable opening credit sequences Bass finally makes his directorial debut. Artistic, gorgeous and disturbing, I'm surprised this isn't at least considered a horror classic let alone a movie classic. Sadly this was Bass' only directorial effort.