The earliest atomic tests in New Mexico cause common ants to mutate into giant man-eating monsters that threaten civilization.The earliest atomic tests in New Mexico cause common ants to mutate into giant man-eating monsters that threaten civilization.The earliest atomic tests in New Mexico cause common ants to mutate into giant man-eating monsters that threaten civilization.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 3 nominations total
Christian Drake
- Trooper Ed Blackburn
- (as Chris Drake)
Mary Alan Hokanson
- Mrs. Lodge
- (as Mary Ann Hokanson)
Olin Howland
- Jensen
- (as Olin Howlin)
Richard Bellis
- Mike Lodge
- (uncredited)
John Beradino
- Patrolman Ryan
- (uncredited)
Robert Berger
- Patrolman Sutton
- (uncredited)
Oscar Blank
- Alcoholic Ward Patient
- (uncredited)
Willis Bouchey
- Official at D.C. Meeting
- (uncredited)
Richard Boyer
- Trooper #1
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe flamethrowers used in the movie were standard World War II weapons and were loaned by the U.S. Army. The actors handling the weapons were World War II combat veterans, who had used them in battle.
- GoofsSergeant Peterson and Bob Graham are seen throwing cyanide gas bombs into the ant nest without wearing gas masks, only wearing gear to protect against the heat. Cyanide gas is so deadly to humans that this simply would not have happened that way.
- Quotes
The Ellinson Girl: [screaming hysterically] AHHH! THEM! THEM! THEM!
- Crazy creditsAlthough the movie was shot in black and white, the film title at the opening credits appears blood red and blue. This was accomplished by Warner's Eastman Color process.
- Alternate versionsA 2-3 minute segment following the projection sequence was excised from the film in the mid-1950s following a lawsuit from a real-life scientist whose name was used in the story for a fictional explanation of atomic energy effects on ants. The scene was removed from the negative and has not been restored though it has turned up in some collector's prints.
- ConnectionsEdited into Encounters at the End of the World (2007)
Featured review
This is the kind of stuff I grew up on as a kid, watching science fiction and horror movies on TV which had been originally released in the 1940s and 50s. The 1950s was a golden age of science fiction movies, and THEM! was one of the very best. Good casting, dialog, and storyline, and commendable special effects for the time. Although the "atomic-radiation-causing-terrible-mutations" was a standard device in 50s sci fi (THE DEADLY MANTIS, IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA, and others), it was a workable one, and given that the ants were from the same area of desert where the first atomic blast occurred, it had just enough plausibility. I also like the little touches of humor and banter between characters. There was even a little bit of cheesecake when the young Dr. Medford (Joan Weldon) gets her skirt caught when descended from the plane, revealing a pair of shapely legs. This is one I keep going back to on rainy Saturday afternoons! A gem of its kind.
- mbryanbook
- Jul 10, 2005
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- El mundo en peligro
- Filming locations
- Blaney Ranch - 160th & Q Streets, Palmdale, California, USA(giant ants desert nest)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 34 minutes
- Color
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