The Satan Bug Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

The Satan Bug Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 25, 2015

1965’s “The Satan Bug” is director John Sturges’s follow-up to “The Great Escape,” moving from the punishment of World War II to, well, the end of the world. A bio-terror production adapted by James Clavell and Edward Anhalt (from the novel by Ian Stuart), “The Satan Bug” digs into a secret world of deadly viruses and hidden government installations to find a cinematic level of suspense. While poky at times, the picture is successful with an epic tale of investigation and terrifying discovery, with Sturges generating a coolly unnerving doomsday atmosphere that provides adequate motivation for the characters.

California is once again the cause of all problems in “The Satan Bug,” acting as a home for the titular virus, which threatens to destroy humanity if placed into the wrong hands. Of course, the wrong hands desire to acquire such a threat, setting the plot in motion as hero Barrett (George Maharis) takes on a team of madmen (including Ed Asner) looking to take control of the planet. While “The Satan Bug” never snowballs into a nail-chewing thriller, Sturges conjures a compelling investigation into the theft and its potential impact on the world, employing impressive set design and sophisticated lighting to make an impression as the characters study clues and chase leads, hoping to prevent a viral outbreak.

The Satan Bug Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation does have the benefit of color, with the visual design of "The Satan Bug" favoring bold primaries and stylish lighting. Hues look stable and expressive, capturing period style and exterior greenery. Skintones look accurate. Detail is competing with slightly softer cinematography, but the basics are cared for, finding it easy to survey facial responses and study the widescreen space, with distances protected. Delineation isn't a problem, finding blacks adequately communicative. Source is in fine shape, with some speckling, minor scratches, and a few brief points of damage detected.

The Satan Bug Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is problematic, requiring a boost in volume to help bring it to normal standards. Even there, definition is hard to come by, with the listening experience muffled to a certain degree, finding dialogue exchanges lacking crisp delivery, with fuzzy extremes in dramatic range. Intelligibility isn't a major problem, but it's periodically difficult to hear the characters. While scoring is lively, it's never profound, missing sharp instrumentation. Atmospherics are also lacking in freshness. Hiss and pops are prominent throughout the track.

The Satan Bug Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film critic Glenn Erickson.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:10, HD) is included.

The Satan Bug Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Satan Bug" carries its production period proudly, making it visually interesting, while performances are solid, with heavy doses of unease to accompany what becomes a ticking clock scenario. The screenplay slows to regroup one too many times, making sure the viewer is as informed as the characters, but unnecessary pit stops fail to derail "The Satan Bug," which remains an entertaining bio-weapon chiller.