1970s Sci-Fi Thriller From Film Legend Rescued And Restored
Saul Bass is a cinematic legend, making some of the most recognizable film title sequences and movie posters in his long career. However, Bass only directed one feature-length film – the 1974 underrated sci-fi film Phase IV. Now, you can pick up this film in glorious 4K UHD/Blu-ray thanks to film restoration and distribution company Vinegar Syndrome.
Phase IV Is A Legendary Cult Classic
Phase IV takes place after a mysterious cosmic event causes ants to rapidly evolve and develop an advanced intelligence along with a hive mind. Scientists James R. Lesko and Ernest D. Hubbs set up a lab in Arizona to study the ants, only to learn these aggressive insects may threaten humanity at large. The film stars Michael Murphy, Nigel Davenport, and Lynne Frederick.
Featured On Mystery Science Theater 3000
You would expect Saul Bass to have had a more prolific directing career rather than just having one film under his belt, but Phase IV was a complete financial flop upon its release. The film gradually gained a cult following over the years due to its association with Bass and the fact that it was also shown on Mystery Science Theater 3000. In any case, the film is highly underrated, and the fact that it wasn’t a commercial success shouldn’t deter you from checking it out.
The Only Film Directed By Saul Bass
If you’re unfamiliar with Saul Bass, you have him to thank for some of the most iconic film title sequences and film posters of all time. Phase IV was his only feature-length directing work, but Bass was primarily a graphic designer who worked with Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, Billy Wilder, and many more prestigious filmmakers. Some works you may recognize from him are the title sequences for The Man with the Golden Arm, Vertigo, Psycho, and Casino.
Saul Bass Designed Iconic Movie Posters
You may also recognize Bass’ poster work on films like The Shining, Anatomy of a Murder, Spartacus, Vertigo, Schindler’s List, The Magnificent Seven, and many more. To say his graphic design work was influential would certainly be a vast understatement. Bass brings his eye for visual design to Phase IV, which now has a definitive way to watch it thanks to this Vinegar Syndrome restoration.
A New Version To Match The Director’s Vision
Those who pick up Vinegar Syndrome’s special limited edition of Phase IV will get a 3-disc 4K UHD/Blu-ray set contained in a gloss hard slipcase and slipcover combo designed by Adam Maida. The limited edition also included a 40-page bound book. The new set also includes exclusive, extended, and alternate sequences that haven’t been seen since 1974.
The Definitive Edition Of A Classic
Some other special features you’ll get in the limited edition of Phase IV are a commentary track with film historian Matthew Asprey Gear, a making-of documentary by Elijah Drenner, and a featurette with composer Brian Gascoigne and electronic music artist David Vorhaus. For big fans of Bass’s graphic design work, there are also 16 minutes of raw footage from Bass’s original ending montage sequence. In other words, this is the definitive edition of this unique part of sci-fi cinema history, so make sure to grab your copy if you’re a fan.
Source: Vinegar Syndrome
