Squirm

"This was the night of the CRAWLING TERROR!"

1976 1h 32m EN

💀

4.9

SKIP

🥫

31%

ROTTEN

⭐

4.9

IMDB

★4.9TMDB · 132🥫31%Rotten Tomatoes★4.9IMDB · 7,123

Horror

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A violent electrical storm topples power lines into the rain soaked earth that is home for an aggressive breed of worms. The high voltage causes the worms to mutate into larger, hostile hordes of man-eating worms that lie in wait for the residents of Fly Creek.

“This was the night of the CRAWLING TERROR!”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Don Scardino
Mick
Patricia Pearcy
Geri Sanders
R.A. Dow
Roger Grimes
Jean Sullivan
Naomi Sanders
Peter MacLean
Sheriff Jim Reston
Fran Higgins
Alma Sanders
William Newman
Quigley
Barbara Quinn
The Sheriff's Girl

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jeff Lieberman
Writers: Jeff Lieberman
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

50 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Jeff Lieberman, shot by Joseph Mangine. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Robert Prince. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Brian Smedley-Aston shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Don Scardino and Patricia Pearcy and R.A. Dow carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "This was the night of the CRAWLING TERROR!".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0075261 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jeff Lieberman directs. Joseph Mangine behind the camera. Robert Prince scores. Brian Smedley-Aston cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

150 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2Directed by Jeff Lieberman, shot by Joseph Mangine. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Robert Prince. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Brian Smedley-Aston shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Don Scardino and Patricia Pearcy and R.A. Dow carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "This was the night of the CRAWLING TERROR!".
7IMDB entry: tt0075261 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Classified under 13 themes, including "small town", "jealousy", "love triangle", "obsession".

The technical file

Cinematography: Joseph Mangine
Original score: Robert Prince
Editing: Brian Smedley-Aston
Costume design: Dianne Finn-Chapman
Makeup / hair: Norman Page
Sound: Al Gramaglia
Runtime: 92 min · 1h 32m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Squirm (1976)
Rotten Tomatoes: 31% 🥫 Rotten
IMDB rating: 4.9/10 · 7,123 votes
MPAA: PG

Awards

1 nomination total

Also by

Jeff Lieberman

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Wuchak2018-12-27
★ 7/10
The Best Horror Flick about Hostile Worms Ever Made! After the incredible success of Jaws in 1975 "nature runs amok" flicks became real popular for the next decade or so; in fact, they're still being made. "Squirm" was released one year after "Jaws" in late July 1976 in the USA and most other countries in 1977-1978. THE PLOT: A storm downs power lines in a coastal Georgia town, electrifying the wet mud and unleashing millions of 10-18 inch sand worms of the area. City slicker Mick (John Scardino) comes into town to visit redhead Geri (Patricia Pearcy), eldest daughter of a widow (Jean Sullivan). A slow-witted local hick Roger (R.A. Dow) is attacked by the worms and goes mad as slimy creatures attack the citizens over the course of a day and night. The opening claims that the events are based on an actual incident from September 29, 1975. The first time I saw "Squirm" I was about 13 years old and high as a kite (something I don't do anymore) and, man, it scared the you-know-what out of me! I was completely taken in by the story, the eerie mood and Deep South ambiance. I was ENTRANCED. Seeing it again as an adult (and sober), it's understandably not as scary or captivating, but that first viewing won my utmost and eternal respect. "Squirm" was actually shot in the deep South, in Port Wentworth, Georgia (just North of Savannah), and all the actors go for the whole "Southern" bit with aplomb. So the film has a real authentic Southern feel. The story is generally slow-paced but that's okay because the movie only runs 92 minutes. It has loads of atmosphere and a few really creepy scenes, like when the worms attack Roger's face while fishing in a rowboat with Geri. The story isn’t campy at all, as some claim, although there’s some realistic humor. It's pretty much presented in all seriousness; and the acting by the main characters is believable and good (not so much with the peripheral characters). Roger strikes you as a likable genuine country boy before the attack. All of these factors explain how I was able to get swept up in the story and take it seriously (at least as serious as such a story can be taken). It may not be a Grade A film like "Jaws" or "Orca" but it's certainly a quality "B" film, that is, if you have a taste for "nature runs amok" flicks. Don't listen to those who say this is a Grade Z flick. It's not; it’s a well-made B picture. How you will take "Squirm" depends on your personality. Some will find it unintentionally funny or cheesy, while others, like me, will take it seriously and enjoy the eerie air, Southern locations and a few good frights. "Squirm" is effective for the type of film it is. GRADE: B

Production companies