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The Satan Bug

Play trailer Poster for The Satan Bug Released Apr 14, 1965 1h 54m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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57% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 47% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
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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The Satan Bug

Critics Reviews

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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 Film Frenzy [UPDATED 2024 REVIEW] 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steven M Check out the star power on this one! Ann Francis, George Maharis, Richard Basehart, Ed Asner, Frank Sutton, James Doohan, Simon Oakland, Dana Andrews, and others plus the direction of John Sturges, make this one a heavy-hitting sci-fi thriller! Suspense on high! 57%, I think not! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/15/25 Full Review 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 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 Read all reviews
The Satan Bug

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Satan Bug

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Movie Info

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
Producer
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
Runtime
1h 54m
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