From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Satan Bug
The Satan Bug
The Satan Bug Plot summary
Lee Barrett, a former intelligence agent, is asked by his
former boss Eric Cavanaugh to investigate the murder
of the security chief of Station Three — a top-secret
bioweapons laboratory in the California desert — and the
disappearance of its director, Dr. Baxter.
As they wait for a time lock on the sealed lab to open,
they are advised by another lab scientist, Dr. Gregor Hoff-
man, to seal the lab using concrete. Hoffman informs
them that there are two lethal bioweapons in the lab, a
lethal strain of botulinus that oxidizes eight hours after
its release, and a recently developed virus he calls "the
Satan Bug", which could kill all life on Earth in a matter
of months.
Determined to discover what happened in the room,
Barrett enters to discover Dr. Baxter dead and both vials
containing the Satan Bug and 1200 grams of botulinus
missing.
Barrett drives to a nearby hotel, where he meets Ann,
the daughter of General Williams, who has flown in from
Washington to supervise the investigation. Barrett’s
Directed by John Sturges speculation that a lunatic is behind the theft is confirmed
Produced by John Sturges by a telegram threatening to release the viruses unless
Station Three is destroyed.
Written by Alistair MacLean Suspecting that the theft was aided by someone on
James Clavell
Edward Anhalt
the inside, Barrett discovers another scientist dead. A
phone call reveals the name Charles Reynolds Ainsley, a
Starring George Maharis millionaire crackpot who fits the profile and who quickly
Richard Basehart
becomes the focus of the investigation.
Anne Francis
Dana Andrews After a demonstration incident in Florida proves the
Edward Asner thieves’ willingness to use the botulinus, General Wil-
Frank Sutton liams receives a call threatening to release additional
John Anderson toxin in Los Angeles unless Station Three is closed.
Distributed by United Artists Pursuing a report, Barrett and Ann visit the location
where a car broke down during the evening of the theft.
Release date(s) April 14, 1965 Barrett deduces that the driver was involved and locates
Running time 114 min a box containing the missing vials in a nearby stream, on-
ly to be confronted by two armed men. Barrett and Ann
Language English
are taken to Dr. Hoffman, the other conspirator in the
theft.
The Satan Bug (1965) is a science fiction film directed by
Hoffman decides to take them hostage, but they are
John Sturges that stars George Maharis and Anne Francis.
followed by security agents. A flask containing the Satan
It was loosely adapted from Alistair MacLean’s 1962 novel
Bug is separated from the others, who realize they are be-
of the same name. It also features a soundtrack by prolific
ing shadowed by two agents in a car.
composer Jerry Goldsmith.[1]
After a confrontation in an abandoned gas station,
the thugs working with Hoffman decide to lock Barrett
and the two agents in a room and shatter one of the vials.
Though both agents are killed, Barrett escapes by setting
the room afire. He stops a passing car being driven by
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Satan Bug
Hoffman and makes a deal to learn the location of the • Martin Blane — Martin
flask in Los Angeles in return for the closure of Station • Henry Beckman — Dr. Baxter
Three. • Harry Lauter — Fake SDI agent
Barrett is aware that Hoffman is, in fact, Ainsley him- • James Hong — Dr. Yang
self. They hear a radio announcement announcing the • James Doohan, Harold Gould and Carey Loftin appear
closure of Station Three. Hoffman’s associates are killed uncredited
at a roadblock while trying to escape. Barrett himself • Jerry Goldsmith — Film score composer
confronts Ainsley, who threatens to break the flask con-
taining the Satan Bug, telling Barrett that he waited to
steal the virus until the vaccine could be isolated.
Themes
Now that vaccine is in his blood, Ainsley is immune. The movie was among the first espionage films to follow
He declares his willingness to destroy the world and live the lead of the wildly popular James Bond films that set
on in it alone rather than give up the power he holds. the tone for action/adventure films of the 1960s and ear-
A helicopter arrives, flown by another of Ainsley’s men. ly 1970s. In contrast with the Bond spy thrillers, however,
They fly above Los Angeles as it is being evacuated. The Satan Bug was a serious attempt by director John
Barrett fights with the pilot and succeeds in taking Sturges to go in a different direction from his previous
the vial from Ainsley, who falls from the helicopter all-star blockbusters (The Magnificent Seven, 1960, and The
rather than reveal the location of the missing vial, un- Great Escape, 1963). Maharis, star of television’s Route 66
aware that it had already been located by the authorities and a product of The Actors’ Studio, is an effectively la-
and disarmed. conic hero who uses his brain, not his fists. The Satan Bug
is more of a "thinking man’s" spy thriller than an action-
packed one. It failed at the box office and remains less
Cast well known than other genre films from the era.
• George Maharis — Lee Barrett
• Richard Basehart — Dr. Gregor Hoffman / Charles
Reynolds Ainsley
References
• Anne Francis — Ann Williams [1] Clemmensen, Christian. Jerry Goldsmith
• Dana Andrews — General Williams (1929-2004) tribute at Filmtracks.com. Retrieved
• John Larkin — Dr. Leonard Michaelson 2011-04-14.
• Richard Bull — Eric Cavanaugh
• Frank Sutton — Donald
• Edward Asner — Veretti
External links
• Simon Oakland — Tasserly (deputy administrator) • The Satan Bug at the Internet Movie Database
• John Anderson — Reagan • Movie review at Alistairmaclean.de (German)
• Hari Rhodes — Johnson
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satan_Bug"
Categories: English-language films, American films, 1965 films, American spy films, Films based on science fiction nov-
els, Films directed by John Sturges, Screenplays by James Clavell, Films about infectious diseases
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