The Fly

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The Fly

Released Jul 16, 1958

1h 34m

Horror

Sci-Fi

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

When scientist Andre Delambre (Al Hedison) tests his matter transporter on himself, an errant housefly makes its way into the transportation chamber, and things go horribly wrong. As a result, Delambre's head and arm are now that of the insect. Slowly losing himself to the fly, Delambre turns to his wife, Helene (Patricia Owens), for help. But when tragedy strikes, Delambre's brother (Vincent Price) and Inspector Charas (Herbert Marshall) are forced to pick up the investigation.

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Critics Consensus

Deliciouly funny to some and eerily presicient to others, The Fly walks a fine line between shlocky fun and unnerving nature parable.

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Jean Yothers

Orlando Sentinel

Background music is used effectively and the camera's shots of the man-fly are startling. For true horror, catch The Fly.

Sep 25, 2021

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Noel Murray

The Dissolve

The Fly is a study in how the boldness of new discoveries is compromised by science's need for precision, but it's also a nightmarish tale of a comfortable little family, and a nagging little buzz.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 18, 2013

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Variety Staff

Variety

One strong factor of the picture is its unusual believability.

Mar 26, 2009

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Kristin Battestella

InSession Film

Catching a little fly makes for some interesting suspense as the distorted bug views build toward an intense insect reveal and wonderful, albeit tiny, shockers.

Apr 19, 2024

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Mark R. Leeper

Mark Leeper's Reviews

THE FLY (1958) is a film that surprised even its producers. I would contend that the reason this film had the impact that it did is that it really is very much an archetypal story, an "Oedipus Rex" for the scientific age.

Rated: 9/10

Aug 16, 2022

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Like the very best monster movies, the creature itself isn't revealed until very late into the picture.

Rated: 9/10

Aug 18, 2020

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Madoka A

Fantastic. Spooky. Funny. Great product! Really good!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/23/25

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S R

I'm surprised I hadn't seen this before since it is really good for its time. Of course, the 1988 remake was better, but this still deserves respect for its originality. Good cast, filming, and direction. It does have some cheese to it, but on the whole is a quality flick. It could have been cut down though to get to the point, but I was entertained. NYT 1000 movies list. SLC DVD.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

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John V

I remember watching this when I was like 10 years old while staying at a friend's house. That was many decades ago, but this movie is still seared to my memory. I especially remember Vincent Price.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

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Michael L

This is one of the all time greats

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/03/24

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Lou T

Having never heard that Cronenberg's The Fly was a remake, I did not expect the original to come close to the quality of the '86 film. I could not have been more wrong. Stripping the grotesque horror that the remake is known for, the original instead focuses on the family and more psychological aspects. The story takes things in a different direction, while still keeping an uncomfortable layer around it all. The cast do a delightfully decent job, but the stage-play-esque acting of the 50's is ever present. The story is told in mostly flashback form, which at points makes you forget that you're in a flashback, as the main story doesn't have the best elements of the film. The visual effects are stunning for the time and hold up, even today. The original sowed creepy seeds which bloomed way beyond expectations, but the charm of The Fly still stands tall.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/22/23

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Jonathan O

The original fly is really shattering nightmare of 50's horror film is really really creepy by the make-up design and the last climax well make your skin crawl.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/09/23

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Kurt Neumann

Director

David Hedison

Andre Delambre

Patricia Owens

Helene Delambre

Vincent Price

François Delambre

Herbert Marshall

Insp. Charas

Kathleen Freeman

Emma (Delambre maid)

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The Fly: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When scientist Andre Delambre (Al Hedison) tests his matter transporter on himself, an errant housefly makes its way into the transportation chamber, and things go horribly wrong. As a result, Delambre's head and arm are now that of the insect. Slowly losing himself to the fly, Delambre turns to his wife, Helene (Patricia Owens), for help. But when tragedy strikes, Delambre's brother (Vincent Price) and Inspector Charas (Herbert Marshall) are forced to pick up the investigation.

Director: Kurt Neumann
Producer: Kurt Neumann, Robert L. Lippert
Screenwriter: George Langelaan, James Clavell
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 16, 1958, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 34m

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