Scientist Dr. Bradford Crane and army general Thalius Slater join forces to fight an almost invisible enemy threatening America; killer bees that have deadly venom and attack without reason. Disaster movie-master Irwin Allen's film contains spectacular special effects, including a train crash caused by the eponymous swarm.
Practical Effects
Actual 22 million bees imported; 800,000 were 'stunt bees' with removable stingers
Production
Train wreck sequence cost more than some entire movies that year
Acting
Olivia de Havilland's final theatrical film—she deserved better, we all did
Director
Irwin Allen
Michael Caine
Brad Crane
Katharine Ross
Capt. Helena Anderson
Richard Widmark
Gen. Thaddeus Slater
Richard Chamberlain
Dr. Hubbard
Olivia de Havilland
Maureen Schuester
Ben Johnson
Felix
Lee Grant
Anne MacGregor
José Ferrer
Dr. Andrews
Patty Duke
Rita
Slim Pickens
Jud Hawkins
Bradford Dillman
Maj. Baker
Fred MacMurray
Maj. Clarance Tuttle
Henry Fonda
Dr. Walter Krim
Cameron Mitchell
Gen. Thompson
Christian Juttner
Paul Durant
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film was so expensive it killed Warner Bros.' disaster movie slate for years; Allen never directed again.
Released during actual 'killer bee' panic in America, it exploited real fears despite scientists insisting Africanized bees weren't movie-monster deadly.
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