Them (1954)

Mar 29

Them! (1954) is a seminal work in the genre of science fiction. It marks the dawn of the giant monster subgenre and serves as one of the earliest “big bug” movies. Gordon Douglas’s Them! addresses the Cold War-era fears of nuclear destruction and the environmental consequences of unchecked scientific progress. It blends horror, suspense, and science fiction to deliver an exhilarating narrative about a group of scientists and military personnel racing against time to stop the spread of a colony of giant, mutated ants.

Them! is more than just a monster movie. It exemplifies the quintessential creature feature. Indeed, it serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of atomic energy and mirroring the fears of post-World War II America. Released in the wake of the first atomic bomb tests, the film captures the zeitgeist of the time with unmistakable clarity, offering an unflinching allegorical commentary on the destructive potential of nuclear technology and humanity’s fraught relationship with nature.

The film begins in the New Mexico desert, where police officers discover a traumatized young girl wandering alone. As the investigation continues, the authorities find strange, massive footprints nearby, confirming their suspicions that something otherworldly is at play. The true threat is revealed soon after: giant, mutated ants, the result of radiation exposure from atomic tests conducted in the desert.

Dr. Harold Medford (Edmund Gwenn), an entomologist, is called in to investigate and determine that the ants are breeding and pose an imminent threat of catastrophic proportions if they spread beyond the desert. The film follows Dr. Medford, his daughter Dr. Patricia Medford (Joan Weldon), and local law enforcement, led by Sgt. Ben Peterson (James Whitmore), as they join forces with the military to track down and destroy the ants before they reach urban areas and threaten human civilization.

The ants are on the move, and the tension is sky-high. They’ve made it to Los Angeles, and it’s now or never. The group is forced into a dramatic final battle in the city’s storm drains, where the queen ants have nested. In the film’s climax, the group battles to annihilate the colony, putting an end to the immediate threat but leaving the possibility of further radiation-induced creatures unresolved.

Them! is a direct response to the anxieties surrounding nuclear power in the 1950s. The film ties emerging the giant ants to radiation from atomic bomb tests conducted in New Mexico. There is no doubt that the creatures are a metaphor for the unintended and uncontrollable consequences of human tampering with nature.

The atomic age brought with it the promise of unprecedented technological advancements, but it also unleashed a new era of fear, surrounding the potential for nuclear fallout, mutations, and environmental destruction.Them! illustrate these concerns by showcasing how unchecked scientific progress can cause catastrophic outcomes.

The mutated ants are a stark warning about the dangers of radiation and atomic energy. They show us that nature itself can turn against humanity if we are reckless with nuclear testing. The message is clear: humanity’s pursuit of power without considering the long-term consequences will lead to its downfall.

Them! plays on the theme of fear of the ›other,‹ as many sci-fi films of the 1950s did. The monstrous ants symbolize external threats that humanity is ill-prepared to face. The ants are a clear metaphor for the existential fear of communist infiltration during the Cold War. They are a faceless, unstoppable force that multiplies in secret and threatens the fabric of American society.

Reflecting the widespread paranoia of the time, the film portrays the ants as a growing, organized force, highlighting the significant concern in the American consciousness regarding the Soviet Union’s expanding influence and nuclear capabilities. To combat the perceived communist threat, unified and coordinated action is crucial, as clear in the collective effort needed to put a stop to the ants.

Them! depict the rise of the giant ants. It also speaks to the broader theme of humanity’s fraught relationship with nature. Human interference, nuclear testing, disrupts the delicate balance of nature, causing harmless creatures to transform into monsters known as ants.

Humanity’s efforts to control or dominate nature, as shown in the film, can lead to unforeseen and devastating consequences. Once part of a well-ordered ecosystem, the ants are transformed into an apocalyptic threat. This serves as a stark reminder that nature, when disturbed, can strike back with unimaginable force. The film clarifies that, despite humanity’s technological prowess, nature holds the upper hand in the struggle for dominance.

The collaboration between scientists and the military in Them! reflects a growing belief in post-war America that science and government, when working together, will solve humanity’s greatest threats. Dr. Medford and his daughter are the perfect team to understand and combat the mutated ants. The military provides the logistical and physical means to defeat the threat.

This partnership reflects the unwavering optimism of the 1950s, when science was the key to solving global issues, from disease to space exploration. However, the film also serves as a stark warning: science itself, nuclear testing, created the threat. The collaboration between science and government is portrayed as both necessary and fraught with moral and ethical challenges.

James Whitmore’s portrayal of Sgt. Ben Peterson provides a much-needed anchor for the film, infusing the chaos with a human touch. Peterson is the epitome of a 1950s hero: brave, resourceful, and unwavering in his commitment to protecting his community. His journey from local lawman to an integral part of the military’s efforts to stop the ants reflects the film’s clear themes of unity and cooperation in the face of existential threats.

Edmund Gwenn’s Dr. Medford is the film’s voice of scientific reason, offering explanations for the ants’ mutation and strategies for combating them. His character is the intellectual authority needed to understand and mitigate the crisis. Gwenn’s performance infuses the film with gravitas, elevating it beyond the typical monster movie by grounding the narrative in scientific inquiry.

Joan Weldon’s Dr. Patricia Medford is a groundbreaking example of a scientist in the 1950s cinema. Despite the limitations imposed by gender norms of the time, her character is indispensable to the team’s mission to stop the ants. Weldon’s performance adds a layer of intelligence and compassion to the film. She balances her scientific expertise with empathy for the victims of the ants’ attacks.

For a film from the 1950s, Them! has some of the best special effects, especially in its portrayal of the giant ants. The film extensively uses large-scale models and practical effects, which were groundbreaking for their time, despite being dated by today’s standards. The scenes in which the ants emerge from their nests or attack the characters are tense and well-executed, adding to the film’s overall atmosphere of dread and suspense.

Director Gordon Douglas uses wide, desolate shots of the New Mexico desert to convey a sense of isolation and danger, emphasizing the sheer scale of the threat posed by the ants. The decision to move acting the barren desert to the bustling City of Los Angeles in the film’s final act is a bold move that raises the stakes. The ants infiltrate the storm drains beneath the city, threatening widespread devastation.

Them! is a classic of 1950s science fiction. Its influence can be seen in countless films that followed, from Tarantula (1955) to Godzilla (1954). The film’s combination of monster movie thrills with Cold War-era commentary established the template for the ›big bug‹ subgenre and defined many of the tropes that would define the genre for decades.

Its portrayal of nuclear anxiety and environmental destruction resonated with audiences at the time and continues to hold relevance today. The film’s focus on collaboration between scientists and the military set the stage for future sci-fi films, those that deal with humanity’s response to large-scale threats.

There’s more to Them! than meets the eye. It’s reflect the fears and anxieties that defined mid-20th-century America. The film’s portrayal of giant, mutated ants explores themes of nuclear destruction, fear of the other, and humanity’s fragile relationship with nature. There’s no doubt about it: Them! is a classic. Its impressive special effects, strong performances, and enduring social commentary make it a sci-fi and horror masterpiece. It offers a tense and thrilling viewing experience that continues to resonate with modern audiences.