Them! (1954)
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100% of critics liked it
(24 reviews) -
71% of users liked it
(8,204 ratings)
A little girl is found wandering in the desert, in a state of complete shock. When she finally revives, she can scream out only one word: "Them!" Any aficionado of 1950s horror films can readily tell you that "Them" are giant ants, a byproduct of the radiation attending the… More A little girl is found wandering in the desert, in a state of complete shock. When she finally revives, she can scream out only one word: "Them!" Any aficionado of 1950s horror films can readily tell you that "Them" are giant ants, a byproduct of the radiation attending the atomic bomb tests of the era. Extremely well organized, these deadly eight-to-twenty-foot mutations converge on the storm drains of Los Angeles in the finale. Forming a united front against the oncoming ant battalions are New Mexico police sergeant James Whitmore, FBI representative James Arness, and father-and-daughter entomologists Edmund Gwenn and Joan Weldon. Since the details of Them are fairly common knowledge today, the mystery-thriller structure of the film's first half tends to drag a bit. Things liven up considerably during the search-and-destroy final reels, as the audience is barraged with convincing special effects and miniature work-not to mention that eerie ant-induced sound effect, so often imitated by subsequent lesser films. Fess Parker appears in a starmaking cameo as a pilot driven to the booby hatch after witnessing the ants in action, while an uncredited Leonard Nimoy is seen pulling info out of IBM machine. Definitely the high point in the careers of director Gordon Douglas and scenarists Ted Sherdeman and George Worthing Yates, Them is also one of the handful of vintage science-fiction thrillers that holds up as well today as it did when first released. (Sidebar: Though filmed in black-and-white, Them is alleged to have been released with a Technicolor opening title, the word THEM! hurtling towards the audience in a vibrant red). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Gordon Douglas
- Genres
- Horror, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Jun 19, 1954 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Home Video
Critic Reviews
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, Variety
This science-fiction shocker has a well-plotted story [by George Worthington Yates, adapted by Russell Hughes], expertly directed and acted in a matter-of-fact style.
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A.H. Weiler, New York Times
Definitely a chiller.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
By far the best of the '50s cycle of 'creature features.'
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Decently budgeted and atmospheric, it's a sober accomplishment in a cycle that would quickly turn to self-parody.
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Rob Humanick, Suite101.com
Smart and idiosyncratic, with enough climaxes for two movies.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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James Whitmore
as Sgt. Ben Peterson
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Edmund Gwenn
as Dr. Harold Medford
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Joan Weldon
as Dr. Patricia Medford
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James Arness
as Robert Graham
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Onslow Stevens
as Brig. Gen. O'Brien
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Sean McClory
as Maj. Kibbee
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Chris Drake
as Officer Ed Blackburn
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Sandy Descher
as Little Girl
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Don Shelton
as Captain of Troopers
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Fess Parker
as Crotty
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Olin Howland
as Jensen
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John Beradino
as Ryan
- Willis B. Bouchey
- Marshall Bradford
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Alexander Campbell
as Official
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James B. Cardwell
as Officer
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Roydon E. Clark
as Jeep Driver
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Booth Colman
as Reporter
- Walter Coy
- Richard Deacon
- Eddie Dew
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Ann Doran
as Psychiatrist
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Cliff Ferre
as Lab Man
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Norman Field
as General
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Frederick J. Foote
as Dixon
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Joe Forte
as Coroner Putnam
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Russell Gaige
as Coroner
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Mary Ellen Hokanson
as Mrs. Lodge
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Gayle Kellogg
as Gunner
- Charles Meredith
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Jack Perrin
as Army Officer
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William Schallert
as Ambulance Attendant
- Ken Smith
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Douglas Spencer
as Reporter
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Victor Sutherland
as Senator
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Dub Taylor
as Watchman
- Harry Tyler
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Dick Wessel
as Cop
- Harry Wilson
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Richard Bellis
as Mike
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Lawrence Dobkin
as Engineer
- Hubie Kerns Sr.
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John Maxwell
as Dr. Grant
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Leonard Nimoy
as Sergeant
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Charles T. Perry
as Soldier
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Walden Boyle
as Doctor
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John Close
as Pilot
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Dean Cromer
as M.P. Sergeant
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Otis Garth
as Admiral
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Warren Mace
as Radio Operator
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Chad Mallory
as Loader
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Joel N. Smith
as Ben's Driver
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Janet Stewart
as WAVE
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Dorothy Green
as Matron
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Robert Berger
as Sutton
