The Satan Bug (1965)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

John Sturges

Writers:

Alistair MacLean (novel)
James Clavell (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

26 March 1965 (West Germany)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

The price for uncovering the secret of the satan bug comes high - YOUR LIFE!

Plot:

A germ warfare lab has had an accident. The first theory is that one of the nasty germs has gotten free and killed several scientists...

Plot Keywords:

Race Against Time | Biochemical Weapons Research | Robbery | Porton Down | Beautiful Woman

Cast

George Maharis	...	Lee Barrett
Richard Basehart	...	Dr. Gregor Hoffman
Anne Francis	...	Ann Williams
Dana Andrews	...	Gen. Williams
John Larkin	...	Dr. Leonard Michaelson
Richard Bull	...	Eric Cavanaugh
Frank Sutton	...	Donald
Edward Asner	...	Veretti
Simon Oakland	...	Tasserly
John Anderson	...	Agent Reagan
John Clarke	...	Lt. Raskin
Hari Rhodes	...	Lt. Johnson
Martin Blaine	...	Henchman Posing as Henry Martin
Henry Beckman	...	Dr. Baxter
Harry Lauter	...	Fake SDI Agent

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

West Germany:12 (f) | UK:PG | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved | Norway:16 | Spain:18

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Mirisch Corporation, The

Trivia:

In his memoirs, Charlton Heston says he was asked to play the lead.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the climax, some long shots of the helicopter show the right side's door missing before the fight between Barrett and the pilot knocks it off.

Quotes:

Lee Barrett: He's floating at the bottom of the pool.

Movie Connections:

References The Phantom Creeps (1939)

Ages Well

This is still (in the 21st Century) a pretty good thriller. Maharis and Basehart are top-notch, plus Ann and Dana are very good. The plot is still very topical (as in Weapons of Mass Destruction). Would be a good remake candidate.