The Satan Bug

Released Apr 14, 1965

1 hr. 54 min.

Sci-Fi

List

57%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

45%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

Special Agent Lee Barrett (George Maharis) joins forces with Ann Williams (Anne Francis), a general's daughter, to recover a biological weapon stolen from a secret government lab. Learning that the pathogen could destroy all life on Earth, they focus their attention on a mysterious millionaire who may have orchestrated the theft. After annihilating a small town in Florida, the villain turns his attention to Los Angeles -- and the duo must race to stop the city's destruction.

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Mark B

Unique cinematography, art direction, pacing and plot. Nothing like it at the time. Took the material seriously. At that time most action movies were campy. This wasn't. It was terrifying then. It's even more terrifying now. Good movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/15/23

Full Review

dlma1 M

A lesser-known film from the great John Sturges entitled "The Satan Bug" (1965). Sturges directed some great films including "Bad Day at Black Rock" and "The Great Escape". In this one, a madman steals flasks containing "The Satan Bug", a virus that could kill everyone in the world. It stars George Maharis as a rouge agent recruited to find the madman and stop him. Also stars Anne Francis, Richard Basehart, Dana Andrews, Frank Sutton (Sgt. Carter in "Gomer Pyle") and even Ed Asner in an early role. While not Sturges' best film, it is well-acted and there are definitely some moments of great suspense. 7/10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/23

Full Review

william k

Well-staged and photographed sci-fi thriller has an interesting premise, but with stiff performances and due to too many plot twists is only mildly suspenseful.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Excellent script! Great cast--Maharis and Basehart are exceptional! Jerry Goldsmith score and directed John Sturges. Best last line of a movie ever!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Snore. 3rd rate. D-list movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Stolidly directed, mostly in long shot, very talky thriller. Similar in theme and execution to Robert Wise's inferior Andromeda Strain. Hard to believe this is the work of John Sturges of Bad Day at Black Rock, The Great Escape and Hallelujah Trail.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

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John Sturges

Director

George Maharis

Lee Barrett

Richard Basehart

Dr. Gregor Hoffman

Anne Francis

Ann Williams

Dana Andrews

Gen. Williams

Ed Asner

Veretti

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...there’s a modern film fighting to get out; Maharis does well as the proto-Bond hero, and some of the location work is ahead of its time...with just a few glass flasks and a serious tone, Sturges conjures up a grounded sci-fi drama for patient viewers.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 9, 2024

Full Review

Sergio Benítez

Espinof

There is no talent in 'The Satan Bug' and there is a place for a clear mediocrity that tarnishes the entire film. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 26, 2019

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

The Satan Bug was a soft performer and has largely been forgotten over time, but it's a natural watch for audiences in the mood for intelligent fare.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 26, 2015

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The slow-moving film was dull from the get-go and never picked up any momentum.

Rated: C+

May 11, 2014

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Aug 17, 2005

Full Review

Steve Crum

Kansas City Kansan

Best forgotten George Maharis thriller; weak John Sturges.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 1, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

Special Agent Lee Barrett (George Maharis) joins forces with Ann Williams (Anne Francis), a general's daughter, to recover a biological weapon stolen from a secret government lab. Learning that the pathogen could destroy all life on Earth, they focus their attention on a mysterious millionaire who may have orchestrated the theft. After annihilating a small town in Florida, the villain turns his attention to Los Angeles -- and the duo must race to stop the city's destruction.

Director: John Sturges
Screenwriter: James Clavell, Edward Anhalt
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Mirisch Corporation
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 14, 1965, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 31, 2016

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