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RUNTIME
Did you know
86 minutes exactly β the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#01
Phase IV
"The day the Earth was turned into a cemetery!"
1974 1h 26m EN
π
6.3
MID
π₯«
50%
ROTTEN
π¬
49
METACRITIC
β
6.4
IMDB
β
6.3TMDB Β· 311π₯«50%Rotten Tomatoesβ49Metacriticβ
6.4IMDB Β· 11,053
HorrorScience Fiction
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
Arizona ants mock the food chain on their way to a desert lab to get two scientists and a woman.
βThe day the Earth was turned into a cemetery!β
Cast
Nigel Davenport
Dr. Ernest D. Hubbs
Michael Murphy
James R. Lesko
Lynne Frederick
Kendra Eldridge
Alan Gifford
Mr. Eldridge
Robert Henderson
Clete
Helen Horton
Mildred Eldridge
David Healy
Radio Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Saul Bass
- Writers
- Mayo Simon
- Languages
- English
- Countries
- United Kingdom, 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 πΏ
2 / 8
ERA
Did you know
52 years old β a genuine piece of film history.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#02
3 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
International production across 2 countries: United Kingdom, United States of America.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#03
4 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Saul Bass, shot by Dick Bush. Note their partnership β DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#04
5 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by Brian Gascoigne. Worth a dedicated listen after β most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#05
6 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Willy Kemplen shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#06
7 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Nigel Davenport and Michael Murphy and Lynne Frederick carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#07
8 / 8
FACT
Did you know
Marketing tagline: "The day the Earth was turned into a cemetery!".
MoodPlayr Β· trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Saul Bass directs. Dick Bush behind the camera. Brian Gascoigne scores. Willy Kemplen cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom, United States of America. Dialogue in English.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 186 minutes exactly β the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
- 252 years old β a genuine piece of film history.
- 3International production across 2 countries: United Kingdom, United States of America.
- 4Directed by Saul Bass, shot by Dick Bush. Note their partnership β DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 5Original score by Brian Gascoigne. Worth a dedicated listen after β most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 6Editor Willy Kemplen shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 7Nigel Davenport and Michael Murphy and Lynne Frederick carry the top of the cast.
- 8Marketing tagline: "The day the Earth was turned into a cemetery!".
- 9IMDB entry: tt0070531 β still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Dick Bush
- Original score
- Brian Gascoigne
- Editing
- Willy Kemplen
- Costume design
- Verena Coleman
- Makeup / hair
- Freddie Williamson
- Runtime
- 86 min Β· 1h 26m
- Aspect ratio (typical)
- 1.37:1 (Academy)
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- EN
- Certification (US)
- PG
- IMDB
- Phase IV (1974)
- Rotten Tomatoes
- 50% π₯« Rotten
- Metacritic
- 49/100
- IMDB rating
- 6.4/10 Β· 11,053 votes
- MPAA
- PG
Awards
1 win & 1 nomination total
Also by
Saul Bass
Stills Β· wallpapers
Selected frames
Full-resolution frames β open one to save it as a wallpaper.
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Production companies
Who made it
Paramount Pictures
US
- AL
Alced Productions
- PB
PBR Productions
Key crew
- EditorWilly Kemplen
- ProducerPaul B. Radin
- Costume DesignVerena Coleman
- Art DirectionJohn Barry
- Makeup ArtistFreddie Williamson
- Sound RecordistNorman Bolland
- Assistant DirectorWilliam P. Cartlidge
- Special EffectsJohn Richardson
- Still PhotographerKeith Hamshere
- Production ManagerEva Monley
- Camera OperatorDennis C. Lewiston
- Wardrobe SupervisorRosemary Burrows
- Title DesignerSaul Bass
- Location ManagerIvo Nightingale
- Sound MixerBob Jones
- Construction ManagerBill Welch
- ConductorBrian Gascoigne
- Production AccountantRon Phipps
- Additional MusicStomu Yamashta
- Assistant Art DirectorNorman Reynolds
- Additional PhotographyKen Middleham
- MusicianDavid Vorhaus
- PublicistAlan Arnold
- Special EffectsRex Neville
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- insect
- ant
- murder
- scientist
- desert
- based on short story
- time lapse photography
Release history Β· US
When it landed
- Theatrical1974-09-13PG
Also known as
International titles
- Fase IV - DestruiçãoBR
- Sucesos en la cuarta faseES
- νμ΄μ¦ 4KR
