A catastrophic volcanic eruption in the South Pacific creates a chain reaction that causes icebergs to crumble at the North Pole, freeing a gigantic praying mantis that has been in deep freeze for millions of years.
It finds its way to a US military base in northern Canada and destroys it then makes its way to the States, pursued by Colonel Joe Parkman (Craig Stevens), Professor Anton Gunther (Florenz Ames), Dr Nedrick Jackson (William Hopper) and magazine editor Marge Blaine (Alix Talton).
After attacking an Eskimo village it becomes clear that the mantis preys on human flesh and is heading straight towards Washington DC to terrorise some well-known national landmarks.
Despite the obviously meagre budget (overuse of stock footage and cheap sets), the mantis itself is quite impressive (it’s sometimes played by a 200-foot-long, 40-foot-high papier-mâché model). There are also moments of unintentional humour, such as when our baffled heroes discuss their inability to locate the mantis while it passes silently past a window behind them.
The Mantis eventually makes it to New York, fighting off some jet fighters along the way. The climax comes in the Holland Tunnel under the Hudson River (called the Manhattan Tunnel in the film).
Col. Joe Parkman
Craig Stevens Dr Nedrick Jackson
William Hopper Marge Blaine
Alix Talton Maj. Gen. Mark Ford
Donald Randolph Sgt. Pete Allen
Pat Conway Prof. Anton Gunther
Florenz Ames Lou
Phil Harvey Lt. Fred Pizar
Paul Campbell Mrs Farley
Helen Jay Group Captain Hawkins
Tom Cound Col. Harvey
James Lanphier Capt. Frank Carver
David McMahon Narrator
Marvin Miller
Director
Nathan Juran
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It finds its way to a US military base in northern Canada and destroys it then makes its way to the States, pursued by Colonel Joe Parkman (Craig Stevens), Professor Anton Gunther (Florenz Ames), Dr Nedrick Jackson (William Hopper) and magazine editor Marge Blaine (Alix Talton).
Col. Joe Parkman
Prof. Anton Gunther
