In the New Mexico desert, police sergeant Ben Peterson discovers a young girl in shock near a destroyed trailer. Investigations reveal that atomic tests have caused common ants to mutate into giant, aggressive creatures threatening humanity. As the ants spread, authorities race against time to locate and exterminate the colonies before they overrun civilization.
Genre: Science Fiction, Horror
Director: Gordon Douglas
Gordon Douglas (1907–1993) was an American film director known for his versatility across various genres, including westerns, crime dramas, and science fiction. His career spanned several decades, during which he directed notable films such as “The Detective” (1968) and “Stagecoach” (1966).
Star Cast:
- James Whitmore as Sgt. Ben Peterson
- Edmund Gwenn as Dr. Harold Medford
- Joan Weldon as Dr. Patricia Medford
- James Arness as FBI Agent Robert Graham
- Onslow Stevens as General O’Brien
- Sean McClory as Major Kibbee
- Chris Drake as Trooper Ed Blackburn
- Sandy Descher as Ellinson Girl
- Fess Parker as Alan Crotty
- Olin Howland as Jensen (uncredited)
Upon its release, “Them!” was praised for its suspenseful narrative and special effects, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Special Effects. It has since become a classic in the science fiction genre, noted for its commentary on the fears surrounding nuclear technology in the 1950s.
Fun Facts:
- “Them!” was originally planned to be filmed in color and 3D; however, due to technical issues, it was shot in black and white. citeturn0search1
- The film is one of the first “nuclear monster” movies, initiating a trend of science fiction films featuring creatures mutated by atomic radiation.
- A young Leonard Nimoy makes an uncredited appearance as an Air Force sergeant, years before gaining fame as Spock in “Star Trek.”
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