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About
As a result of nuclear testing, gigantic, ferocious mutant ants appear in the American desert southwest, and a father-daughter team of entomologists join forces with the state police officer who first discovers their existence, an FBI agent and, eventually, the US Army to eradicate the menace, before it spreads across the continent — and the world.
Theatrical
Jun 18, 1954
Budget
$23.0M
DVD / Blu-ray
Jan 1, 1987
Theaters
1
Director
Gordon Douglas
Writers
Ted Sherdeman, George Worthing Yates
Producer
David Weisbart
Music
Bronislau Kaper
Studio
Warner Bros. Pictures
Themes
monster
new mexico
radiation
fbi
atomic bomb
mutation
ant
martial law
army
giant insect
giant monster
black and white
desert
psychiatric ward
ant's nest
general store
entomologist
giant ants
animal horror
storm drain
scientist heroine
southwest desert
state police officer
drunk ward
formic acid
traumatized child
mysterious footprint
cyanide grenade
atomic mutation
ant eggs
Quotes
See all →Warner Bros. Presents an Exciting New Sensation
Taglines
The Amazing New Warner Bros. Sensation!
The Endless Cycle of Replacement
Taglines
Kill one and two take its place!
Monsters Emerge from Deep Earth Catacombs
Taglines
A horror horde of crawl-and-crush giants clawing out of the earth from mile-deep catacombs!
Saliva's Role in Survival and Connection
Dr. Patricia Pat Medford
Look! Held together with saliva!
[observing the tunnel walls]
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson
Yeah! Spit's all that's holding me together right now, too.
Cast
Full credits →J
James Whitmore
Sgt. Ben Peterson
J
James Arness
FBI Agent Robert Graham
J
Joan Weldon
Dr. Pat Medford
E
Edmund Gwenn
Dr. Harold Medford
O
Onslow Stevens
Brig. Gen. Robert O'Brien
S
Sean McClory
Maj. Kibbee
S
Sandy Descher
The Ellinson Girl
C
Chris Drake
Trooper Ed Blackburn
D
Don Shelton
Trooper Capt. Fred Edwards
F
Fess Parker
Alan Crotty
M
Mary Alan Hokanson
Mrs. Lodge
O
Olin Howland
Jensen
W
William Schallert
Ambulance Attendant
A
Ann Doran
Child Psychiatrist
D
Dub Taylor
Railroad Yard Watchman
L
Leonard Nimoy
Army Sergeant
R
Richard Deacon
Bald Reporter at L.A. News Conference
F
Forbes Murray
Government Official
K
Kenner G. Kemp
Trooper #2
C
Charles Perry
Soldier
