The Swarm

PG

Released Jul 14, 1978

1h 56m

Horror

List

9%

23 Reviews

Tomatometer

19%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Scientist Dr. Bradford Crane and army general Thalius Slater join forces to fight an almost invisible enemy threatening America; killer bees that have deadly venom and attack without reason. Disaster movie-master Irwin Allen's film contains spectacular special effects, including a train crash caused by the eponymous swarm.

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robert K

A comedy classic. Lame dialogue and lousy special effects make this one a real winner.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/04/24

Full Review

Red T

Horrifically Bad. If this is supposed to be a homage to B Movies of Old this is more like a middle finger instead. The acting & cinematography is terrible. The dialogue isn't so much cheesy as it is just flat out bad and there is way too many characters in this. Easily half of the characters could've been cut. The action scenes in particular are shot horribly with unneeded slow motion and terrible camera angles that feel like Ed Wood is behind the camera. It's crazy because some of the practical effects are actually well done on their own right. Than there is the giant bee scenes which are the best/worst scenes in the film. It's mind boggling at times. The music is also not that good and is so over the top it is ridiculous. The editing and pacing are horrible. This is filled with unneeded subplots that are terribly acted by veteran actors. This jumps around constantly and pads out the running time to ridiculous proportions. This has no reason to be over two and a half hours. They should've done a homage by making it only 75 minutes instead. This is such poor quality and bloated beyond belief that I wanted this to be over 40% of the way through. This was a terrible slog to sit through. Stay away from this no matter what. I feel bad for everyone involved. At least Fonda & Caine got to out on better notes in their careers.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/23

Full Review

Gene G

This movie is so bad its almost fun to watch. They just needed to bring in a few bee keepers and they would have solved the whole problem. People fighting bees with flamethrowers torching the entire city of Houston while still getting stung through their hazmat suits.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/14/23

Full Review

mark s

I'm a big fan of cinema gone horribly wrong (Troll 2, Glen or Glenda/Plan 9, Manos: Hands of fate, etc) but this is a very different type of bad. In the previously mentioned movies, there was at least a sincere attempt to make a good movie, and that's what makes them "so bad they're good". In the case of 'Swarm', they seemed to give up before they even got started. This horse was dead before the gate opened.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/24/23

Full Review

Brent S

70's retro schlock GOLD! If you are disappointed after watching it, what were you expecting with that title? Sophie's Choice?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Tana R

In 1978 I was in High School. I recognize and was happy to see alot of the actors in the movie. What I enjoy about movies in this Era is the character build up. Getting to know and like the people makes it more personal when they die in the movie. I also like that the main characters don't always make it. There is also a hidden message. I.e. Don't underestimate the power of nature. I understand with the quick kills, bombs, and main stars that always save the day of the movies now. This one may be boring. But during this time in film, there was independent thought, drama, unpredictability, and compassion. I already know how it ends and who lives in today's films. I saw this film today, because I always look up horror films of the 70's. Since most of today's films are knockoffs of these movies done poorly. I would rather look at the original to see true art and not the postcard.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

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Irwin Allen

Director

Michael Caine

Brad Crane

Katharine Ross

Helena

Richard Widmark

Gen. Slater

Richard Chamberlain

Dr. Hubbard

Olivia de Havilland

Maureen

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Empire Magazine

Hammy action yarn with an entertaining performance from Michael Caine.

Rated: 3/5

May 25, 2015

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Killer bees periodically interrupt the arch writing, stilted direction and ludicrous acting in Irwin Allen's disappointing and tired non-thriller.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Jennifer Selway

Time Out

A number of journalists, rolling in the aisles with laughter, were ejected from the press screening.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

The Swarm's arms-length vibe is perpetuated by its pervasive assortment of inept, incompetent elements...

Rated: 1/4

Aug 26, 2021

Full Review

Richard Freedman

Newhouse News Service

[It's] a movie without a smidgeon of redeeming social esthetic or entertainment value: The Swarm manages to be both cruel to older actors by holding their failing techniques up to ridicule and to be at least subconsciously bigoted.

Aug 5, 2021

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

'...it's the soapy elements which truly chill the senses...

Rated: 1/5

Mar 15, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Scientist Dr. Bradford Crane and army general Thalius Slater join forces to fight an almost invisible enemy threatening America; killer bees that have deadly venom and attack without reason. Disaster movie-master Irwin Allen's film contains spectacular special effects, including a train crash caused by the eponymous swarm.

Director: Irwin Allen
Screenwriter: Stirling Silliphant
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Rating: PG
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 14, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 7, 2008
Runtime: 1h 56m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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