Bug (1975 film)

Bug is a 1975 American horror film directed by Jeannot Szwarc and written by William Castle and Thomas Page, from Page's novel The Hephaestus Plague (1973). Shot in Panavision, it was the last film Castle was involved in before his death in 1977.[1] The film starred Bradford Dillman, Joanna Miles and Richard Gilliland.

Bug
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJeannot Szwarc
Written byWilliam Castle
Thomas Page
Based onThe Hephaestus Plague
(1973 novel)
by Thomas Page
Produced byWilliam Castle
StarringBradford Dillman
Joanna Miles
Jamie Smith-Jackson
CinematographyMichel Hugo
Edited byAllan Jacobs
Music byCharles Fox
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
June 17, 1975 (1975-06-17)
Running time
99 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$3,602,023

The film initially depicts a new insect species, which faces extinction. A widowed scientist crossbreeds the species with cockroaches, creating a sentient hybrid species of insects.

Plot

An earthquake releases a species of previously unknown insect which can create fires by rubbing their legs together. Eventually however, most of the bugs die because they cannot survive in the low air pressure on the Earth's surface.

After the wife of a scientist dies when one of the insects crawls in her hair, Professor James Parmiter keeps one alive in a pressure chamber. He becomes obsessed with the insect and successfully breeds the new species with a modern cockroach, creating a breed of intelligent, flying super-cockroaches.[2]

Parmiter goes into seclusion at a farm after seeing his creation and gaining the ability to communicate with the bugs.[3]

Cast

Production

The living room and kitchen sets from The Brady Bunch were reused in this film, although the living room set was rearranged slightly to a smaller footprint.

It was based on the book The Hephaestus Plague by Thomas Page.

It was writer and producer William Castle's last film before his death two years later.

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 33% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.3/10. However, the sci-fi review site Moria was kinder to the movie, calling it Szwarc's best film. It noted that the movie was better than expected, and the first part of the movie at least maintains scientific credibility. They also praised the lead actor's performance.

Variety found the film static and lacking interest. TV Guide liked the music and found the technical credits good, but overall found the movie mediocre.[4]

Entertainment Weekly gave the film a C,[5] while Leonard Maltin gave the movie two stars. [6]

The New York Times found the movie "sickening" and felt it deserved a harsher rating than PG.[7]

The film made just over eight million dollars worldwide.[8]

See also

References
  1. Eggertsen, Chris (2010-06-30). "This Month in Horror: June 1975". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  2. Roog (1999-04-11). "Bug! (1975)". Moria. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  3. "Bug". January 1975.
  4. "Bug".
  5. "Killer insect movies". Entertainment Weekly.
  6. Maltin, Leonard (28 November 2017). Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide: The Modern Era, Previously Published as Leonard Maltin's 2015 Movie Guide. ISBN 9780525536314.
  7. Eder, Richard (1975-09-18). "Screen: Poisonous 'Bug':Story of Beetles That Set People Afire". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  8. "Bug".
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