Them! (1954)

 

I'm fairly certain it is no coincidence that in the year 1954 two films on different sides of the ocean appeared, both giving humanity a big warning about the dangers of nuclear bombs, so shortly after the US bombed both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. One was Japan's 'Gojira', the American counterpart was 'Them!'. It is not fair to draw any other comparisons between the two, as 'Gojira' is clearly the superior film in every way, but do not dismiss this one as a silly monsterflick too easily. 'Them!' is better than you might expect and in its own has some clever ideas and chilling imagery. 

And ants. Giant ants. 

Two police officers discover a completely catatonic little girl in the New Mexico desert, not too far from Alamagordo. 

That is the location where the atomic bombs were tested, by the way.

She just stares blankly into space and they are unable to get her to say anything. The officers discover a trailer that is completely ripped to shreds. Suddenly there is a bizarre chirping sound, like a flock of the birds, but they find nothing. When they go to a shop nearby, they find it has also been destroyed and the proprietor killed. Shortly after, one of the officers is also found dead. The only lead they have is a bizarre footprint and ripped bags of sugar. 

When two professors from the Department of Agriculture arrive, they soon discover what is the cause of this mayhem: giant mutated ants, probably caused by lingering radiation from the first atomic bomb. They manage to destroy the nest, but find that two queens have already flown. Now it is a race to discover where these are, before they can start thriving colonies. One is found on board a ship and the ship is sunk, after its entire crew is discovered dead. The second one has found a home in the storm drains beneath Los Angeles, so now the army has to get in there and destroy the ants once and for all. 

Sure, this sounds like a silly monster film. Heck, maybe it is, but the fact that they take it seriously coupled with sharp dialogue and grade A actors brings this one to a whole new level. Edmund Gwynn is wonderful as the aged professor who is always reticent about his findings but nevertheless gives us the prophecy of doom and clearly states that this is all man's own doing. James Arness and James Whitmore are great as our male leads and Joan Weldon is one of those cool female characters that is just as tough as the boys and she takes no crap. Refreshing to see in a 50s film, to be sure. 

Okay, the puppet ants don't hold up to scrutiny, that is true. It's not in the design, because that is great. They really do look like regular desert ants, only enlarged to about 3-4 metres in length, it's the wonky movement that gives them away, alas. But still, for the time they look great and if you can keep your suspension of disbelief, they look terrifying. Their sound design is memorable and iconic. Their chirping noises, which you'll hear a lot of (you don't see the ants all that much), will embed itself in your mind as a sound of horror. 

There are several scenes that are indelibly imprinted upon the brain, but the reaction of the little girl to the sound of the ants and the formic acid is brilliantly done and scary as all fudge. The shootout with the ants in the sewers is thrilling, albeit rather short. But probably the most memorable is the speech that Edmund Gwynn gives to the generals, where he clearly states that man will be extinct within a year at most if they don't stop the ants. It is understated, but that makes it more effective. 

'Them!' is classic giant monster fodder, but it often gets forgotten just how well made this film is. It is suspenseful, has a warning to mankind without being too preachy and a great cast that makes it all work. Highly recommended!