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Phase IV
Quick Links [video] [audio] [extras] [overall] 
Saul Bass’ 1974 sci-fi/thriller Phase IV is an interesting blend of nature run amuck stereotypes and Natural Geographic style nature footage mixed into one delicious cocktail of suspense and psychedelia. When the film begins, it seems that ants all over the place have somehow formed a collective consciousness, and they’re not particularly happy with the world. It starts with small attacks, like a group of ants taking down a spider but soon hits on bigger targets like a sheep before eventually moving on to mankind. When people start turning up dead, victims of ant attacks, two scientists – Dr. Ernest D. Hubbs (Nigel Davenport) and James Lesko (Michael Murphy) – begin to investigate. These two, joined by a young woman named Kendra Eldridge (Lynne Frederick) who lost her parents to the ants and just barely escaped with her life, will soon find themselves having to destroy the ants once and for all but it isn’t going to be easy. While the plot might sound more than a little hokey, Phase IV is a fantastic movie. Making use of some mesmerizing nature footage and using real ants for almost all of the scenes, the film is a remarkably dark and even, at times, surreal take on the evil insect film. Think of this as the 2001 and killer bug films and you’re on the right track. The performances are well done with Murphy and Davenport turning in completely believable efforts as the two scientists in charge. They’re both fairly cold here, and quite clinical with Davenport’s Hubbs bordering on the obsessive at times which fits his character’s fate quite nicely. Ms. Frederick isn’t given as much to do and so she’s not quite as impressive but she’s easy on the eyes and gives Murphy’s Lesko someone to latch on to. She also plays a key role in the finale and the foreshadowing that leads up to this is interesting even if the ending is… odd. The real reason to watch this film, however, is for the ants themselves. There are some amazing shots in this film and plenty of tight close-ups of the ants make them appear quite threatening and more than a little scary. Despite the fact that this PG film is completely devoid of gore it’s so rich on atmosphere that the tension becomes very thick at times. People, for whatever reason, tend to be afraid of insects and this film plays off of that fear very effectively. The version contained on this DVD runs a just under eighty-four minutes (the imdb lists a ninety-three minute running time for the theatrical version and an eighty-four minute version for the TCM print indicating that this version may be edited) and it moves along at a very quick pace. The opening scene sets the stage almost perfectly for the events to come and. The film was skewered in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 in 1989 but rather unjustly so as it plays very well as a straight picture and whatever camp value it contains is derived from the fact that it’s a seventies production, not so much from the actual content of the film itself.
Phase IV debuts on DVD in a 1.78.1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that looks like a pretty reasonable aspect ratio (it might have been 1.85.1 originally). Aside from the fact that the transfer is interlaced the presentation is solid. The mild coat of grain is never distracting and there isn't any real print damage to complain about save for some small specks here and there. Color reproduction looks appropriately cold and earthy throughout and skin tones look lifelike and natural. There's a bit of wear and tear in some spots but for the most part this is a perfectly acceptable presentation even if, like more than a few of these Legend Films releases, it really should have been properly flagged for progressive scan playback, a recurring problem with most of these releases.
The sole audio option on this disc is an English language Dolby Digital Mono track that doesn't contain any noticeable background hiss but does contain a few clicks and pops in the mix. Otherwise this track is perfectly serviceable.
Save for a static menu and chapter selection this DVD is, unfortunately, completely devoid of any extra features whatsoever. The trailer for the film is missing but it can be found on the 42nd St. Forever Volume III: Exploitation Explosion DVD through Synapse Films.
Phase IV holds up well and it's great to finally have the film on DVD even if it deserved a more interesting presentation than it has received here. Want more info? Hit the Legend Films website by clicking here!
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