The Swarm (1978)

14% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
21% of users liked it
(3,880 ratings)

Killer bees migrate to the United States from Africa via South America in this disaster film produced and directed by the genre's chief architect, Irwin Allen, and written by Stirling Silliphant, scribe of The Poseidon Adventure. Haughty entomologist Brad Crane (Michael Caine) shows up at a secret… More Killer bees migrate to the United States from Africa via South America in this disaster film produced and directed by the genre's chief architect, Irwin Allen, and written by Stirling Silliphant, scribe of The Poseidon Adventure. Haughty entomologist Brad Crane (Michael Caine) shows up at a secret military base full of dead soldiers, shocking the attendant General Slater (Richard Widmark). Crane announces that the soldiers are the victims of killer bees with amazingly potent venom; he's been tracking huge swarms of the things and fears they'll kill millions before they're through. Eventually, the president asks Crane to lead the battle against the killer insects and he assembles a team of crack scientists. Meanwhile, the bees overpower a family picnic in nearby Marysville; only the son, Paul (Christian Juttner), escapes with his life. Crane and military physician Helena Anderson (Katherine Ross) head to Marysville to warn the populace about the impending danger. Among the citizens in the direct path of the bees are schoolmarm Maureen Schuster (Olivia de Havilland) and her competing suitors, Felix (Ben Johnson) and Clarence (Fred MacMurray). Eventually, the bees stage a massacre in Marysville and then set their sights on Houston. Neither pesticides, firebombing, nor the heroic sacrifice of scientist Dr. Krim (Henry Fonda) seems to offer a solution for the impending disaster. Universally reviled by critics, The Swarm failed to continue Allen's winning streak at the box office. Caine would re-team with his director the following year for Beyond the Poseidon Adventure. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 56 min.
Directed By: Irwin Allen
Genres: Action & Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jul 14, 1978 Wide
On DVD: Aug 6, 2002
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Why do the killer bees sting everyone except leading players Michael Caine and Katherine Ross?
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Big stars, big budget, big bore.
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times
Almost as good as The Hand.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
É constrangedor assistir a talentos como Caine, Fonda e Widmark (para citar apenas três) recitando diálogos horrendos em um filme repleto de absurdos. Ao mesmo tempo, não deixa de ser moderadamente divertido.

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

Melvin W

Dr. Krim: They're more virulent than the Australian Brown-Box Jellyfish! "It's more than speculation- it's a prediction!" There are so many of these shitty B-Disaster/Animals Gone Wild films. The Swarm populates a genre that hasn't seen too many… More
Dr. Krim: They're more virulent than the Australian Brown-Box Jellyfish! "It's more than speculation- it's a prediction!" There are so many of these shitty B-Disaster/Animals Gone Wild films. The Swarm populates a genre that hasn't seen too many successes. What the genre does do is make me laugh... most of the time. The Swarm didn't. It actually seemed to be taking itself somewhat seriously, which is a big fucking no-no when it comes to B-Movies. I'll admit that the only real reason I turned this movie on in the first place is that Michael Caine and Katherine Ross are in it. They don't really help the movie go down any smoother though. Seeing as they still have to act in a movie as absurd as this, you know their performances aren't going to be good. And they aren't. They are as bad as I've seen them. While their the only reason I turned it on, there are many reasons I turned it off half way through. First, the movie is 2 hours and 35 minutes. At the hour mark, I said to myself, "Am I really going to sit through another hour and a half of this shit?" Answer: "Fuck no!"
jay n

Just awful movie with inept "special" effects and a host of usually fine actors giving atrocious performances. Katharine Ross in particular is terrible, beyond wooden to postiively inert but Caine is hardly better. The only one who is seemingly trying to earn his paycheck is… More
Just awful movie with inept "special" effects and a host of usually fine actors giving atrocious performances. Katharine Ross in particular is terrible, beyond wooden to postiively inert but Caine is hardly better. The only one who is seemingly trying to earn his paycheck is Richard Widmark who gives his all while surrounded by bored costars. Although who can blame them with a script that stinks like year old cheese. Let's hope they were well paid. Do yourself a favor and don't watch. If you have to see a bee disaster movie seek out "Killer Bees" a TV movie with Gloria Swanson and Kate Jackson which at least is entertaining.
xGary X

The commercial success of the likes of The Towering Inferno and The Poseidon Adventure inspired a slew of increasingly absurd disaster movies, and this is one of the most ridiculous. One of those films that's so bad it's funny.
Dean M

A long mild horror film of the killer bees and great appearances of famous Hollywood stars.
Sarah G

This really is a bad movie
Barry L

Frightened the life out of ma as a kid. Bit dated now though.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Michael Caine as Brad Crane

            Katharine Ross as Helena

            Richard Widmark as Gen. Slater

            Richard Chamberlain as Dr. Hubbard

            Olivia de Havilland as Maureen Schuster

            Ben Johnson as Felix

            Lee Grant as Anne MacGregor

            José Ferrer as Dr. Andrews

            Slim Pickens as Jud Hawkins

            Bradford Dillman as Maj. Baker

            Fred MacMurray as Clarence

            Henry Fonda as Dr. Krim

            Cameron Mitchell as Gen. Thompson

            Christian Juttner as Paul Durant

            Morgan Paull as Dr. Newman

            Alejandro Rey as Dr. Martinez

            Don 'Red' Barry as Pete Harris

            Patty Duke as Rita Bard

            Frank Blair as Himself

            Arell Blanton as Sergeant

            Doria Cook as Mrs. Durant

            Pat Culliton as Sheriff Morrison

            Howard Culver as Airman #2

            Trent Dolan as Radio Sergeant

            John Furlong as Cameraman

            Chuck Hayward as Standby Engineer

            Steven Marlo as 1st Pilot

            Chris Petersen as Hal

            Steve Powers as Radarmen

            Elizabeth Rogers as Woman Scientist

            Michael Sheehan as Airman #1

            Arthur Space as Engineer

            Ernie F. Orsatti as Duty Officer

            Bill Snider as Radarman #2

            Robert Varney as Mr. Durant

            John Williams as Launching Officer

            Marcia Nicholson as Captain

            George Simmons as Nurse
See full cast

The Swarm (1978)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Melvin W

jay n

xGary X

Dean M

Sarah G

Barry L

Cast

Trailers & Clips