drystyx It's hard to say just what this "Satan Bug" flask carries. It's described as a virus at times, and at other times a bacteria, since the bad guy has developed a vaccine for it.That wouldn't matter so much, if it wasn't for the constant changing of its properties, although it's hard to tell exactly what they are, since too many lines are given to George Maharis, whose ability to speak clearly is about nil. One drop of the deadly "Satan Bug", at first, will wipe out the Earth in a few weeks, then it only wipes out an area near Florida, then a flask can only kill two out of three men in a small abandoned house.This, of course, lets us know that either the writers are goofy, or the character who claims it will wipe out the world at the beginning is a liar. So much for "suspense" in who the bad guy is.Still, too much changes, and characters speak too fast to know what is going on. Mostly Maharis.The other actors in this all star cast pretty much save the movie, though. From top to bottom, we get most of the mainstays of the great films and TV series. Sutton, of "Gomer Pyle", Asner of his series and "Mary Tyler Moore", Oakland of "Psycho", Anderson of "Ride the High Country", Andrews of many big films, and the big star, Richard Basehart.Seeing all of these big names, along with others, makes this a minor all star cast that at least makes it fun. The supporting actors are good, and do salvage the film to some extent. On the whole, there are as many assets as detriments. The big scene involves the flask thrown into a room of three men, and how it affects them.

paulccarroll3 Alistair MacLean wrote many exciting books that were made into films but few of them were really great. This film "The Satan Bug" was not one of his best books,though it was OK, and the film made from it was only partially effective as a thriller, despite having the great storyteller James Clavell as a screenwriter. Alistair MacLean wrote interesting historical WWII novels like "The Guns of Navarone" and "Where Eagles Dare". These films were popular and successful but,though good, were far from great even though they had star power like Gregory Peck and Richard Burton starring in them. The Satan Bug suffered from not having the same caliber of actors in it and seems like a B-movie."Ice Station Zebra" was a better film made from one of His books. MacLean also wrote cold war thrillers featuring rebellious,smart-alecky,outsiders trying to catch the bad guy/killer/spy before it's too late. The main characters funny,sarcastic sense of humor seldom came through in the films made from his books, and it's too bad. One of His better books that never made it to film was "Night Without End". Try it. By the way reviewers,Readers of these reviews have almost always seen the film being discussed and don't need a blow by blow description, but instead your opinions and critique only. Just saying.

enlcan A True gem that's always been overlooked. First saw it in the late sixties and it scared the heck outta me. See it every four or five years and I still enjoy it and get a little detail I'd missed, really well written.I was surprised when I checked who'd written it and I didn't know of Ian Stewart, turns out it was a pen name for Alistair McLean.George Maharis and Ann Francis are excellent and I always wonder why Maharis never really made it. He was a very good actor. The desert background always gave that lonely eerie feel.Also watch for James Doohan (Scottie) as a G Man in a bit role.

mrb1980 It seems that only a few people know about this movie, which is a darn shame. The film combines sci-fi, action, and drama in a beautifully photographed package.After power-hungry scientist Richard Basehart steals several vials of incredibly dangerous virus from a government lab, it's up to steely good guy George Maharis to find him and recover the stolen stuff. Dana Andrews plays a government big wheel and Anne Francis...well she looks pretty good and runs around with Maharis during most of the movie. The final scene--a fight inside a helicopter--will have your hair standing on end. Really tense movie was superbly photographed in LA and California desert locations.Good character development, fine acting, great sets (love that government laboratory!) and a very literate script makes this movie one to watch. It's very topical, 42 years later. Also, it's worth catching just to see Ed Asner and Frank Sutton (Sgt. Carter from "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.") as snarling thugs trying to run off with the lethal germs.