| Bug | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jeannot Szwarc |
| Written by | William Castle Thomas Page |
| Based on | The Hephaestus Plague (1973 novel) by Thomas Page |
| Produced by | William Castle |
| Starring | Bradford Dillman Joanna Miles Jamie Smith-Jackson |
| Cinematography | Michel Hugo |
| Edited by | Allan Jacobs |
| Music by | Charles Fox |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3,602,023 |
Bug is a 1975 Americanscience fiction horror film directed byJeannot Szwarc and written byWilliam Castle and Thomas Page, from Page's novelThe Hephaestus Plague (1973). Shot inPanavision, it was the last film Castle was involved in before his death in 1977.[1] The film starredBradford Dillman,Joanna Miles andRichard Gilliland.
The film initially depicts a new insect species, which faces extinction. A widowed scientistcrossbreeds the species withcockroaches, creating a sentienthybrid species of insects.
Anearthquake 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]
It was writer and producer William Castle's last film, released some two years before his death.[4]
On thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, 33% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.3/10. However, the sci-fi review siteMoria 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.[5]
Entertainment Weekly gave the film a C,[6] whileLeonard Maltin gave the movie two stars.[7]
TheNew York Times found the movie "sickening" and felt it deserved a harsher rating thanPG.[8]
The film made just over eight million dollars worldwide.[9]
