The Satan Bug (1965)

A top secret government bio-weapons laboratory in the California desert is broken in to and a deadly virus stolen. A security expert (George Maharis) is put in charge of the investigation but will he be able to break the case before the virus is exposed to an unsuspecting population? Based on the novel by Alistair MacLean (GUNS OF NAVARONE) and directed by John Sturges (THE GREAT ESCAPE). These "virus that can wipe out mankind" thrillers are almost sure things in the suspense department. The king of this genre is probably THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN but this minor entry is skillfully directed and Sturges pushes it to an intense extreme at times. The mastermind behind the crime is fairly easy to detect but that doesn't stop it from keeping you on the edge of your seat. Some of it is pretty hokey but for the most part one can overlook it. It's not the kind of movie where the acting matters much but the cast gives it their best shot. The skittish score is by Jerry Goldsmith. With Anne Francis, Dana Andrews, Richard Basehart, Edward Asner, Simon Oakland and James Hong.