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Them! (Warner Brothers 1954)

Them! (Warner Brothers 1954)

When it came to the run of 1950s science-fiction creature-features, it is hard to find one that has stood up quite as well as Them!, a desert tale of atomically enlarged ants, released by Warner Brothers on the 19th of June, 1954.

Tautly directed by Gordon Douglas, from a screenplay by Ted Sherdeman and Russell Hughes, Them! manages to pack quite a punch when compared to many of its 1950s sci-fi stablemates.

Them! (Warner Brothers 1954)

The young Ellinson girl (Sandy Descher) is found wandering the desert in a state of shock in Them! (Warner Brothers 1954)

A well paced and suspenseful thriller, the film only reveals its villainous ants around a third of the way in; up until then they are only heard. Originally intended to be shot in Warner Color and 3-D, this first of the ‘big bug’ epics was plagued by dodgy camera gear, and so it was eventually filmed in black and white, and even the desired widescreen format had to be abandoned due to the preparatory work for that troublesome third dimension. In final prints, the only colour used was a vivid red and blue for the opening titles.

Them! 1954 Ultimate Guide Magazine

The ants themselves were specially constructed puppets, and operated by offscreen technicians under the supervision of Ralph Ayers. In original prints, an ant was seen minus its side panel, blatantly showing off its mechanical guts; this has been ‘corrected’ in subsequent VHS and DVD releases.

Them! (Warner Brothers 1954)

The giant ants are found nesting in the storm drains of Los Angeles in Them! (Warner Brothers 1954)

What makes Them! so satisfying is its sheer style which, even by today’s standards shows it to be a well-thought-out, high budget epic. Sid Hickox’s cinematography, combined with slick, powerhouse editing by Thomas Reilly and crafted art direction by Stanley Fleischer all come to life beautifully on G W Berntsen’s lavish sets, and yet never once does style outdo substance. By turns atmospheric and broody while remaining fast-paced and deliberate, the overall concept is realised perfectly, with some beautiful performances from James Whitmore, Joan Weldon, James Arness and Onslow Stevens, but the star turn surely has to be the delightful London born Edmund Gwenn, who even manages to deliver apocalyptic lines like: “Nobody knows, Robert. When Man entered the atomic age, he opened a door into a new world. What we’ll eventually find in that new world, nobody can predict.” From a lesser artist, these would just be cheesy.

Popcorn and Pincers: An Anthology of Classic 1950s Sci-Fi Cinema Magazine

Them! earned $2 million USD at the box office in the US and Canada alone in its first year, and was described by Variety as a “top-notch science fiction shocker [with a] well-plotted story, expertly directed and acted in a matter-of-fact style to rate a chiller payoff and thoroughly satisfy the fans of hackle-raising melodrama.”

Them! (Warner Brothers 1954)

Original theatrical release poster for Them! (Warner Brothers 1954)

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    mark barow
    August 9, 2015

    the film is a classic and i love it to bits,perhaps they could do a remake that would be so cool
    thanks

    Dave
    June 19, 2016

    One of my all-time favourite 50’s Sci-Fi films! All round top-notch story, script, acting, direction, with all the elements you want in a action sci-fi movie.

    Mark Joslin
    April 26, 2017

    One of my all time favorites, regardless of genre. This is one I would not want to be remade. Part of its impact was the “clumsy” movement of the ants. They have limited screen time, which makes their impact greater. Having this changed to CGI monsters tearing victims apart graphically will bring the story down. Avoid another embarassment like 1998’s Godzilla disaster.

    String
    June 20, 2017

    Outstanding Movie every time it’s on I watch it, even have the dvd.

    Archie1954
    August 28, 2018

    My Aunt took me to that movie when I was 10 years old. I was never so scared in all my life. The horror of it stayed with me for decades.

    DEBORA LEE
    March 23, 2019

    The ants’ sounds still scare me. Whenever i hear facsimiles, i expect to see at least one 9-feet-long creature nearby.

    at least i think they’re facsimiles.

    DEBORA LEE
    March 23, 2019

    A remake would be too…i dunno, too something; too realistic perhaps. The original has a charm that would be lost in a CG-driven remake.

    DEBORA LEE
    March 23, 2019

    In response to Archie 1954, ¿the horror stayed with you? ¿stayed, past-tense? 🙂

    Steve
    April 10, 2023

    “THEM.”This is one of my All time favorite SciFi films.
    What an interesting story to start with. Add to that wonderful acting, top notch cinematopraphy,
    very scary soundtrack make it a winner.
    There is a very good blend of drama with just the right amount of humor at just the right time.
    “If she’s the kind of doctor that takes care of sick people, I think I’m gonna get a fever.”
    “Spits about all that holding me together.”
    “you have to say Over. It’s a rule.”
    This is Classic SciFi at it’s Beast. It is a Must See.
    I’m anxious to receive my copy of Classic Monsters new issue of “THEM.”

    Peaches Ingram
    November 8, 2023

    I Have A Hugh Question!!
    WHY YA’LL WON’T LET PEOPLES SEE THESE CREATURE MOVIES “FREE” INSTEAD OF ALWAYS WANTING “MONEY” JUST TO SEE IT
    I really Love This Movie Them..

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